Cablegate: Brazza in Brief for October 5, 2007
VZCZCXRO8282
RR RUEHBZ
DE RUEHBZ #0406 2781705
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 051705Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY BRAZZAVILLE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0781
INFO RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 0293
RUEHBZ/AMEMBASSY BRAZZAVILLE 0861
UNCLAS BRAZZAVILLE 000406
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/C CBARGERON, JSWAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL PINR EAID PHUM SCUL MARR CF
SUBJECT: BRAZZA IN BRIEF FOR OCTOBER 5, 2007
1. (U) Post celebrated the completion of a high school
renovation by the U.S. Navy Seabees Detachment from Sigonella,
Sicily. After thanking the Seabees, the Ambassador pointed out
that this was the first cooperative effort between members of
the U.S. and Congolese Armed Forces and that their success will
lead to future projects. Post will provide additional
information in follow-up report.
2. (U) Transparency: After more than two years of administrative
procedures and delays, the RoC National Executive Secretariat
and the Consultative Group (EITI), led by Michel OKOKO,
Hydrocarbon Adviser to the Minister of Finances, announced the
launch of the transparency initiatives mandated in accordance
with the
RoC's HPIC program with the IMF and in accordance with the World
Bank. Mr. Okoko announced that the ROC is publishing revenues
of what they are paid by oil companies. Under the EITI, the GRoC
will be required to retain an independent auditor, which they
plan to do. RoC became a signatory to the EITI in January 2004.
3. (U) Cooperative agreements: Nicholas Norman, Ambassador of
the Republic of France (RoF), announced that the RoF and RoC
Document of Partnership (DCP) for the years 2007-2011 will
concentrate on transportation infrastructure, focusing on the
Ports of Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville and the management of the
national railway. The second focal point will be education,
specifically vocational training. Regarding health, the RoF will
reinforce of the capacities of the major hospital in Brazzaville
and assist with the implementation of a medical insurance
system.
4. And more agreements: Wo Ruidi, Republic of China Ambassador,
signed an agreement with the RoC Ministry of Higher Education to
finance the construction of a library at the Marien Ngouabi
University; the cost is estimated at US$4 million. Charles
Bowao, a representative of the RoC Ministry of Cooperation,
Humanitarian Action, and Solidarity, met with representatives of
both Morocco and Norway to solidify investments. Morocco pledged
US$650,000 to finance as of yet unspecified projects in the RoC.
No details were available of the meeting with the Norwegian
delegation. A South Korean firm known as Core Mining Congo Ltd
was given a license to mine iron ore in the northern Sangha area
of RoC. Two locomotive cars made in China were donated to the
Ministry of Transport; the two cars, estimated to cost
US$1,500,000 were jointly financed by the RoC national oil
company and a Chinese company which is in charge of the
construction of the power station of Imboulou. The Minister for
Energy, Bruno Itoua, met with a delegation of Spanish
businessmen led by David Querol Ballesta of Grupo Inmobiliario;
this meeting was a sequel to meetings held in May 2007 in which
the two parties discussed investment in small and medium-sized
companies and the Congolese craft industry.
5. (U) Sudan: Mohamed Fadlalla, Republic of Sudan Honorary
Consul, presented official documents to Aimi Clovis Guilloud,
Director of Diplomatic Protocol and Consular Affairs, to
establish a diplomatic presence in the RoC.
6. (U) Agricultural Loans: Development Bank of Central African
States (BDEAC) announced that BDEAC will provide loans totaling
US$45,000 to two agricultural projects near Brazzaville. The
funds are to be used to cultivate plants known for mineral and
vitamin content to help fight various diseases such as anemia
and diabetes.
WEISBERG