EMBASSY COMMENTS ON IRC OPIC APPLICATION

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001591 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR OPIC - CONAL DUFFY AND JIM WILLIAMS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON EINV CG OPIC SUBJECT: EMBASSY COMMENTS ON IRC OPIC APPLICATION ¶1. (U) Sensitive but Unclassified, Privileged Business Information. Not for Internet distribution. ¶2. (SBU) Embassy Kinshasa has reviewed the application for political risk insurance that International Rescue Committee (IRC) has submitted to OPIC. IRC has operated in the DRC for almost the entire duration of the civil war and continues to operate during the reconstruction period. Overall, IRC provides a beneficial humanitarian assistance program and does have some activities, which, on a micro-level, promote private ownership (Habitat for Humanity),environmental protection (safe water well construction) and physical infrastructure (some road and levee projects). However, answers to number 33(c/d) are exaggerated. IRC programs are not being implemented in the context of a government regulatory, judicial or other institutional reform program and neither will they result in GDRC implementation of institutional reforms. Otherwise, Embassy Kinshasa views the IRC application favorably and has no objections to granting of insurance. ¶3. (SBU) The following responds to the specific questions listed in the OPIC request for Embassy comments: a. As IRC's primary operations are of humanitarian relief, there are no potential negative public or host government sentiment toward the project. b. Post does not foresee possible negative impacts on U.S. policy and interests in the DRC resulting from this project. c. IRC is a well established NGO in the field of humanitarian assistance. Post does not view its integrity as questionable. d. Post does not foresee any serious adverse environmental effects associated with the project. e. IRC's operations do not conflict with the DRC's economic objectives or welfare. f. Post has no indications of uneconomic use of raw materials or labor. g. Subject project is of humanitarian assistance, funded by bilateral and multilateral donors. It will not have any affect on the DRC's balance of payments. ¶4. (U) Please direct questions regarding OPIC applications that need Embassy Kinshasa assistance to Peter Newman. IVG: 934-2234, Cell: (243) 81-700-4428, Email: NewmanPD@state.gov. MEECE