HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY FUND (HRDF): STATUS

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 001552

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR DRL AND AF/C

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PHUM CD
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY FUND (HRDF): STATUS
REPORT

REF: CUMBERLAND/FITZGIBBON E-MAIL DATED 10/12/06


1. Summary: Two HRDF grants totaling $50,000 were obligated
in March 2005 and are in the process of implementation. Both
are meeting their objectives to strengthen freedom of speech
in Chad by providing material and programmatic support to
private radio stations. End summary.


2. Grant S-CD300-05-GR016 was awarded to Radio FM Liberte in
the amount of $42,000 with the stated purpose of increasing
the awareness among Chadians of their rights through the
production of a series of civic education broadcasts,
entitled "The Right to Know," in three languages. The
programs are written and produced by one of Chad's leading
human rights advocates. The first broadcast aired on the
national radio station June 1, the others following on a
weekly basis. To date there have been a total of twelve
programs, each one broadcast in the French, Arabic and Sara
languages. The grantee has transmitted to the Embassy two
financial reports summarizing expenditures but has not yet
provided the necessary payment documentation to liquidate its
advance. This shortcoming has been brought to its attention
and will soon be addressed.

Amount obligated: $42,000
Amount disbursed: $15,000
Unexpended balance: $37,000
Completion date: February 28, 2006


3. Grant S-CD300-05-GR017 was awarded to ADCFL, a community
development association in the Borkou oasis of Chad's far
north, for office furniture and equipment to enhance the
broadcast capacity of a local radio station which began
broadcasting in February 2005. Though located in the largest
town of the region, Faya Largeau, the absence of electricity
requires the radio to have an autonomous energy supply. The
HRDF project has provided for the purchase of a primary and
back-up generator, as well as utility tables and voltage
regulators. Broadcasting each night for 2-3 hours, the
effort is clearly an example of grassroots democracy at its
best. The radio announcers are volunteers; operating costs
such as fuel and spare parts for the generators are covered
in part by charging spectators a nominal fee to watch French
television broadcasts projected on the compound wall in the
evening. The Ambassador visited the radio station June 28 and
provided a live interview. French soldiers based in Faya
Largeau have commented to the Embassy about the moderating
influence this radio station has on the more radical forms of
Islamic currents of thought beginning to circulate in the
area. Finally, it should be noted that copies of the civic
education programs being produced under "The Right to Know"
grant (para 2 above) were provided this community radio
station in Faya Largeau.

Amount obligated: $ 8,000
Amount disbursed: $ 7,360
Unexpended balance: $ 640
Completion date: February 28, 2006


4. Embassy is pleased with the manner in which both of these
grants are meeting their objectives and will continue to
provide the necessary oversight to ensure that all funds are
properly expended and accounted for.
WALL


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