WOLFOWITZ HAILS SIERRA LEONE'S PROGRESS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000597 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/EPS DEPT ALSO FOR IO AND EB LONDON FOR POL - AFRICA WATCHER R. BELL PARIS FOR POL - AFRICA WATCHER USEU BRUSSELS FOR POL - AFRICA WATCHER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON PGOV PREL SL SUBJECT: WOLFOWITZ HAILS SIERRA LEONE'S PROGRESS ¶1. (U) On the first visit ever by a World Bank President to Sierra Leone, Paul Wolfowitz hailed Sierra Leone as "one of the most successful post-conflict countries." Speaking to the press at the end of a July 20-21 trip to meet with the Government, civil society, and war amputees, and to visit the war crimes Special Court for Sierra Leone, Wolfowitz said that the World Bank rates Sierra Leone among the best performing post-conflict countries in Africa. He added that "Sierra Leone is an example of Africa moving forward, and I congratulate you for it." ¶2. (U) Wolfowitz noted three priority areas for further attention: -- Decentralization: Wolfowitz praised Sierra Leone for being one of the few countries to decentralize power from a centralized government. While calling this "an important beginning," he indicated that more commitment is needed for this initiative to succeed. -- Anti-Corruption: Noting that corruption was a major cause of the civil war, Wolfowitz praised Sierra Leone,s "ambitious" anti-corruption program, but cited the need to produce results. -- Private Sector: Wolfowitz cited the need for credits to grow small and medium businesses, emphasizing also that growth of these enterprises needs to be market-driven rather than government-driven. ¶3. (U) During Q's and A's, he added: -- On HIV/AIDS: While personally unfamiliar with World Bank HIV/AIDS activities in Sierra Leone, Wolfowitz emphasized generally the need to increase awareness and reduce stigmatization. He said that he was pleased to see many HIV/AIDS billboard messages around Freetown, and, noting the presence of the U.S. Ambassador, said that he assumed that the U.S. was active along with other donors. (Note: The World Bank forced the removal of the National Aids Secretariat Director earlier this year for alleged SIPDIS malfeasance. The USG funds a high profile DoD HIV/AIDS program for the Sierra Leone military. End Note.) -- World Bank Reform: Responding to criticism of the "one dollar/one vote" World Bank procedure, Wolfowitz said that nearly all key board decisions are unanimous and consistent with staff recommendations. -- On Privatization: Responding to a suggestion that public utilities, such as the poorly performing water company, should be privatized, Wolfowitz claimed that the World Bank does not impose solutions, but supports whatever will serve people best. Quoting a Chinese proverb, he said, "It does not matter whether the cat is black or white, but whether it catches mice." -- On Amputees: Wolfowitz said that he visited the amputees because a Sierra Leonean taxi driver in Washington interested him in their plight. He did not offer them assistance, he said, because he does not promise what he cannot deliver. He emphasized that the amputees need long term attention, but he was not in a position to assess the costs and relative priority of the amputees, needs. -- On World Bank Commitment: Asked about the Improved Governance and Accountability Pact (IGAP) between the Government of Sierra Leone and the four donors giving direct budget support that was announced earlier in the week (septel),Wolfowitz said that as one of the signatories of the IGAP the World Bank is &very committed.8 In response to a follow-on question on possible World Bank funding to achieve Millennium Challenge Goals, Wolfowitz simply reiterated that the World Bank has "a strong commitment to Sierra Leone." -- On Public Expectations: Wolfowitz said that he refrains from promising too much because development requires steady progress over an extended period. While admitting that he was not familiar with the specifics of Sierra Leone's case, he observed that societal wounds do not heal overnight after a civil war. He told Sierra Leoneans that "peace is your most valuable resource, more valuable than diamonds or oil," and urged the international community, therefore, to maintain their security commitments to Sierra Leone. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: Wolfowitz,s visit came just after the simultaneous visit of President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Donald Kaberuka and UK Secretary of State for International Development Hilary Benn (MP) and their signing the IGAP. While the Vice President Berewa, acting in the absence of President Kabbah, basked in the glow of this high level attention and praise, we do not have a read-out yet on pressure that may have been applied behind closed doors to improve the GoSL,s performance. Berewa no doubt hopes that FREETOWN 00000597 002 OF 002 the Wolfowitz visit will enhance his presidential prospects ahead of next year,s election. The one sour note was a Wolfowitz call for justice in the case of a journalist who died shortly after being assaulted by his landlord, a Member of Parliament, that drew a private rejoinder from the Vice President that such matters should be left to the judicial system. The case stands as a reminder that impunity has not ended in Sierra Leone. End Comment. HULL