This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS PARIS 005166
SIPDIS
YAOUNDE PLEASE PASS BANGUI, DEPT FOR AF/C AND EB/IFD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ECON EFIN EAID CT FR
SUBJECT: CAR: PARIS MEETING JULY 25
REF: SEMINARA/NEARY E-MAILS
1. Embassy Africa watcher attended a six-hour
"sensitization" meeting on the Central African Republic
(CAR), hosted at the MFA's conference center July 25. IMF
CAR representative Mark Lewis (AmCit), World Bank CAR
representative Ali Khadr, EU CAR delegation chief Esmieu,
UNDP resident representative Stan Nkwain, and General Lamine
Cisse, UNSYG Annan's representative briefed on the political
and economic situation in CAR. The French MFA, followed by
Japan, China, the UK, U.S. (drawing on ref points) and
Denmark, all represented by officials based in Paris,
reviewed current and future prospects for assistance to the
CAR. No representative of the CARG was present. According
to MFA DAS-equivalent Bruno Foucher, the IFI's had requested
that the meeting be among donors only.
2. MFA Africa Director Joubert concluded the meeting by
proposing a final communique. The communique essentially
noted the participants in the meeting; that they had
congratulated the CAR on the political transition; that they
had agreed on the need to address the financial crisis in
CAR; and that the meeting would be followed by a more formal
donors' meeting in the fall, to propose concrete measures and
funding in accordance with the recommendations of the IMF.
Post will fax the papers from the meeting, as well as the
final communique, when received, to AF/C.
3. On the margins of the meeting, Joubert told Africa watcher
(as subsequently reported in the press), that President
Bozize will meet President Chirac at the Elysee palace August
1. Joubert noted that the trip to France would be Bozize's
first official visit to Paris since he came to power. At the
MFA, Bozize will meet will Cooperation Minister Giradin, as
FM Douste-Blazy will be traveling to Khartoum, Darfur (exact
location TBD), and Niger, beginning July 28.
STAPLETON