FORUM FOR THE FUTURE: ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAMA 001671

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA, EUR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID PGOV PHUM KMPI KDEM BA AF CA JA PK TU OVIP RICE CONDOLEEZZA
SUBJECT: FORUM FOR THE FUTURE: ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE
FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE AND FUND FOR THE FUTURE



1. SUMMARY. Initial contributing governments to the
Foundation for the Future and Fund for the Future gathered
for a public announcement of the new initiatives on the
margins of the November 11-12 Forum for the Future conference
in Manama. All speakers emphasized the importance of
democratic and economic reform for a prosperous future for
the broader Middle East. Secretary Rice emphasized that the
mission of the projects is to empower the citizens of the
region to secure their own freedoms, to build their own
democracies and to lead their own countries to greater hope
and dignity. END SUMMARY.

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Empowering Citizens, Fueling Prosperity
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2. As part of the President's Freedom Agenda, the U.S. and
other G-8 and international partners announced the launch of
the Foundation for the Future and the Fund for the Future
November 12. An international non-profit entity, the
Foundation will fund local non-governmental organizations,
academic institutions, professional associations, and others
in the region promoting political reform. The Fund will
provide capital to small and medium-sized enterprises to help
stimulate economic growth.


3. Secretary Rice emphasized that the purpose of the
Foundation is to empower the citizens of the Broader Middle
East and North Africa (BMENA) to secure their own freedoms,
to build their own democracies, and to lead their own
countries to greater hope and dignity. The Foundation will
empower citizens working for democratic reform to use grant
money for the projects they deem most effective. The
Secretary thanked Shaikha Mozza, the first lady of Qatar, for

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a $10 million donation to the Foundation. Turning to the
Fund, she said it is designed to help stimulate the private
sector in the region, particularly small and medium size
enterprises, to fuel employment and prosperity. Activities
will begin in the two regional countries that contributed to
the Fund - Egypt and Morocco - but will spread to all
regional states that choose the path of economic liberty and
reform.

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Comments of International Partners
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4. Bahraini FM Shaikh Khalid al-Khalifa described the Fund
and Foundation as key underpinnings to the goals of the
Forum, and the governments of Egypt, Morocco, Denmark, and
the U.S. signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Fund.


5. Jordanian Planning Minister Al-Ali expressed hope the
Foundation will become an important tool for increased
freedom and democracy and empowerment of civil society.
Governments must listen to civil society's views on priority
areas for reform. She expressed pride that Jordan was the
first Arab country to announce its support for the Foundation
and invited senior officials to the first preparatory meeting
in Jordan in December.


6. European Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said some of the one
billion Euros of EC aid for the broader Middle East would go
to the Foundation to support the objective of a prosperous
and stable region.


7. Human Rights Training and Information Center official
Ezzadine Al-Asbahi affirmed civil society's support for the
Foundation. The Foundation is the culmination of a series of
consultations between state and non-state actors, designed to
help fulfill people's aspirations for development, freedom,
and dignity. He urged governments and the private sector to
lend their support and expertise to the new institution.


8. Calling democracy the only path to a prosperous future,
Qatari FM Al-Thani offered to host the Foundation for the
Future and to ensure its independence and freedom.


9. Egyptian Investment Minister Mohieldin said the Fund
represents a great opportunity to expand export and
investment projects in the region. Projects should emphasize
good governance, transparency, accountability, openness,
rights of workers, and environmental protection.


10. Danish FM Moeller expressed his expectation that more
countries in the region will join the Fund by the time of the
next Forum.


11. Moroccan FM Benaissa applauded the growth in the
conference's representation from the civil society sector
from five at last year's meeting in Rabat to 40 this year in
Manama. He hoped the Fund would expand growth, employment,
wealth, and innovation.

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Contributing Countries/Organizations
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12. The following officials participated in the launch of the
Fund and Foundation (known contributions in parentheses):
- U.S. - Secretary Rice (Foundation: $35.5 million over two
years; Fund: $50 million)
- UK - Foreign Minister Straw (Foundation: $1 million)
- Jordan - Planning Minister Al-Ali
- European Commission - Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner
(Foundation: 1 million Euros)
- Qatar - Foreign Minister Hamad Al-Thani (Foundation: $10
million)
- Denmark - Foreign Minister Moeller (Foundation: $2
million; Fund: $1 million)
- Greece - Foreign Minister Molyviatus (Foundation: $1.5
million)
- Hungary - Foreign Minister Somogyi (Foundation: in-kind
support through the Democracy Center)
- Italy - Under Secretary Mantica (Foundation: $1 million)
- Netherlands - Director van Lynden
- Spain - Foreign Minister Moratinos (Foundation: $1 million)
- Switzerland - State Secretary Ambuel
- Turkey - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Gul
(Foundation: $500,000)
- Lebanon - Foreign Minister Salloukh
- Egypt - Investment Minister Mohieldin (Fund: $20 million)
- Morocco - Foreign Minister Benaissa (Fund: $20 million)

Three non-governmental organizations also took part:
- Human Rights Information and Training Center - Ezzadine
Al-Asbahi
- No Peace Without Justice - Emma Bonino
- Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation - Mensur
Akgun

MONROE