WOLFOWITZ HAILS SIERRA LEONE'S PROGRESS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000597

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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

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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

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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