Cablegate: Brazzaville in Brief, October 5, 2007

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RR RUEHBZ
DE RUEHBZ #0403 2781407
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 051407Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY BRAZZAVILLE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0777
INFO RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 0292
RUEHBZ/AMEMBASSY BRAZZAVILLE 0857

UNCLAS BRAZZAVILLE 000403

SIPDIS

SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/C JAMES SWAN, ROBERT OSBORNE, C. BARGERON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL PINR EAID PHUM SCUL MARR CF
SUBJECT: BRAZZAVILLE IN BRIEF, 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

SIPDIS
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. (U) 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.

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