Cablegate: Congressman Snyder's Interest in Sierra Leone

VZCZCXRO3389
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHFN #0517 2981256
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 241256Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2275
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS FREETOWN 000517

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR AF/W AND AF/RSA - KATHLEEN MOODY
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO PEACE CORPS AND USAID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI EAID OREP SL
SUBJECT: CONGRESSMAN SNYDER'S INTEREST IN SIERRA LEONE

REF: N/A

1. (SBU) Recent Time Magazine and Washington Post articles
on maternal dealth rates (one in eight) in Sierra Leone
prompted Congressman Victor Snyder (D - Arkansas) to contact
Ambassador (October 23) on the country's development status.
Representative Snyder asked about the overall health
conditions and presence of USG personnel addressing these
issues. We provided an overview of Sierra Leone's status as
last on the human development index, not only in
maternal/child health care but in areas such as severe
malnutrition and malaria. We advised that at present USAID
is providing TDY-USDH assistance from Guinea and three LES.
Note: Post has requested USAID health and food for peace
officers to address Sierra Leone's serious deficits in health
and food security.

2. (SBU) Representative Snyder also inquired about the
presence of Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs). We noted that
budgetary constraints have kept Peace Corps from returning at
this time. However, both Peace Corps Washington and Sierra
Leoneans are deeply interested in re-entry of PCVs, when
possible.

3. (SBU) The Congressman indicated that he has had an
interest in Sierra Leone since the 1980's when he visited,
and hopes to see effective development efforts by the USG and
NGO's in the future. The Congressman has also stated his
interest in travelling to Sierra Leone but has not determined
a time frame for a formal request.

PERRY

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