Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KIGALI1143
2006-11-28 16:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kigali
Cable title:  

MEETING WITH GOR ON MCC THRESHOLD PROGRAM

Tags:  EAID PREL RW 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0342
RR RUEHLMC
DE RUEHLGB #1143 3321604
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 281604Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI
TO RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP WASHINGTON DC 0020
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3516
INFO RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA 1589
RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 0787
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 1491
RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 0150
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0687
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0179
UNCLAS KIGALI 001143 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL RW
SUBJECT: MEETING WITH GOR ON MCC THRESHOLD PROGRAM


UNCLAS KIGALI 001143

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL RW
SUBJECT: MEETING WITH GOR ON MCC THRESHOLD PROGRAM



1. (SBU) Summary. Ambassador and AID Director met on
November 21 with Ambassador Sezibera and other GOR staff on
the just-announced Millennium Challenge Corporation Threshold
program. Sezibera pronounced the GOR committed to a
successful program, and anxious to get to work with mission
and MCC staff. Ambassador emphasized the importance of a
unified GOR team possessed of authority to make decisions and
give clear direction to the Rwandan effort. Sezibera said
ongoing internal reviews were aimed at putting in place a
strong GOR team with solid ideas to present to the visiting
MCC team. End summary.


2. (SBU) Ambassador, USAID Director, DCM and other mission
staff met with Great Lakes Special Envoy Ambassador Richard
Sezibera, NEPAD Special Advisor Francis Gatare and
representatives of the Finance, Justice and Local Government
ministries on November 21 to discuss the just announced
selection of Rwanda as a Threshold Program participant.
Mission staff distributed to and discussed with the Rwandan
participants a packet of materials on the MCC program,
including a sample Threshold Concept Paper and Threshold
Country Plan, and a mission-produced review of GOR
institutions that could potentially be the subject of
Threshold Program attention (this document e-mailed to our
State Department desk officer).


3. (SBU) Ambassador explained that USAID in Kigali would
administer the Threshold Program funds in concert with MCC in
Washington and embassy staff. Of great importance, said the
Ambassador, would be a unified team with a strong coordinator
to push the process forward from the Rwandan side.
Ambassador announced provisional dates for the visit of an
MCC team in early December. He noted that the GOR would be
dealing with experienced MCC administrators and program
officers who would welcome and indeed expect a Rwandan-driven
process with much give and take, and negotiating of program
goals and concepts.


4. (SBU) Sezibera pledged a cohesive GOR team empowered to
make decisions and push the Threshold process to completion.
The GOR was anxious to work closely with the MCC and the USG
mission in Rwanda, and an "internal review" was underway,
meant to establish GOR team leadership and develop program
ideas in advance of the MCC team arrival. We have three
goals, he said: design the Threshold Program with the USG,
successfully complete Threshold design and implementation,
and secure full Millennium Challenge Account Compact
eligibility. "We will work with you to achieve all three,"
he said.


5. (SBU) Ambassador cautioned that qualification for the
Threshold Program did not automatically mean program monies
would flow. Several neighboring states had failed to
finalize their Threshold programs, for example, and were
making no progress toward MCA Compact eligibility.
Ambassador Sezibera in response acknowledged the importance
of a committed government and a well-designed program. "We
understand our responsibilities," he said.


6. (SBU) Comment. Unpleasantly surprised at the fall of
several of the six MCC Ruling Justly indicators for FY 2007,
as well as several World Bank indicators, the GOR had
protested the accuracy of some of the scoring sources (as had
this mission, other diplomatic missions, and the local World
Bank office). It is pleased that MCC has chosen it for
Threshold status, and appears to grasp the focused and
professional effort it must make to see those scores rise.
End comment.


ARIETTI