Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07FREETOWN688
2007-11-19 17:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Freetown
Cable title:  

SIERRA LEONE INAUGURATION - ASSISTANT SECRETARY

Tags:  ECON PREL PGOV SL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0225 
OO RUEHPA 
DE RUEHFN #0688/01 3231717 
ZNY CCCCC ZZH 
O 191717Z NOV 07 
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1528 
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE 
RUEHDS/USMISSION USAU ADDIS ABABA
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000688 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W
ADDIS FOR AMBASSADOR CRAWFORD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2017
TAGS: ECON PREL PGOV SL
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE INAUGURATION - ASSISTANT SECRETARY
FRAZER MEETS WITH PRESIDENT KOROMA AND FINANCE MINISTER
CAREW

REF: A) FREETOWN 00675 B) FREETOWN (OPENING OF PARLIAMENT)

Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000688

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W
ADDIS FOR AMBASSADOR CRAWFORD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2017
TAGS: ECON PREL PGOV SL
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE INAUGURATION - ASSISTANT SECRETARY
FRAZER MEETS WITH PRESIDENT KOROMA AND FINANCE MINISTER
CAREW

REF: A) FREETOWN 00675 B) FREETOWN (OPENING OF PARLIAMENT)

Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. Assistant Secretary Jendayi Frazer, as the
U.S. representative to the inauguration, met with President
Koroma on inauguration day. Koroma reaffirmed that he will
focus on efforts to fight corruption, strengthen justice and
the rule of law. Assistant Secretary Frazer replied that the
U.S. looks forward to working with Sierra Leone on a range of
global issues including security, human trafficking, and
maritime piracy. A pending agreement on a SOFA would help on
this cooperation. The Assistant Secretary said the AU
position on three seats on the Security Council with veto
power is not feasible and asked Koroma to share the U.S. view
with other African nations. President Koroma indicated he
would like to visit the U.S. in early 2008. End Summary.


2. (C) President Ernest Bai Koroma met with Assistant
Secretary Frazer on the morning of November 15, immediately
before the commencement of the official presidential
inauguration ceremony. Also present at the meeting were the
Minister of Finance, David Carew, and the Minister for
Presidential Affairs, Alpha Bakarr Sahid Kanu. Assistant
Secretary Frazer was accompanied by Ambassador Perry, DCM
Pratt and Poloff.

Expectations are High
--------------


3. (C) President Koroma welcomed the Assistant Secretary to
the celebrations and provided a brief summary of what he
intends to focus on as he takes up the reins of government.
He emphasized that he believes he has a mandate to move
forward on economic issues and to take a strong stand against
corruption. He noted that the expectations of the Sierra
Leonean population are very high, and that the new government
faces the need to make progress in the near term.


4. (C) A/S Frazer welcomed the President's commitment to
fight corruption and supported his focus on economic issues.
She noted that the U.S. Treasury Department is a potential

source of training for anti-corruption efforts. On the
economic side, the Assistant Secretary observed that the MCC
process offers opportunities for Sierra Leone and observed
that Ambassador Perry has experience in the MCC process in
Lesotho. Ambassador Perry noted that a team from the USAID
regional hub is set to visit Freetown in early 2008 to assess
possibilities for increased trade. Assistant Secretary Frazer
reaffirmed U.S. support for adherence to the democratic and
development principles of the Peace Building Commission. She
also mentioned the importance of institutionalizing reforms
and making free markets work. The Assistant Secretary raised
the topic of the AU position that three seats on the Security
Council, with veto power, be assigned to African countries.
Secretary Frazer noted this was not feasible and asked Koroma
to raise the U.S. view with other African nations.


5. (C) The Assistant Secretary affirmed that the U.S. wants
to work with Sierra Leone on a range of global issues
including security, fighting human trafficking, and maritime
piracy. A pending agreement on a SOFA with Sierra Leone would
help on this cooperation, Ambassador Perry noted.


6. (C) President Koroma stated that he would like to visit
the U.S. early in 2008. He had been invited to attend a
dinner sponsored by the Sullivan Foundation in early
December, but had not been able to accept the invitation due
to scheduling conflicts.

Finance Minister has a Tough Job
--------------


6. (C) Assistant Secretary Frazer met separately with David
Carew, the newly appointed Minister of Finance. Carew comes
from the private sector, having worked his way up to head the
consulting firm KPMG's Sierra Leone operations. Although he
has only been minister for a short time, Carew noted that
working in government is quite different from the private
sector and expressed frustration at the bureaucratic process
and the number of entrenched civil servants who can act as a
roadblock to change.


7. (C) The Minister said that, because the GOSL is facing a
severe budget shortfall, he is looking at ways to improve
revenue collection. Among the options being considered are
renegotiating the agreements with mining companies and
introduction of a Value Added Tax (VAT). The Minister has
been consulting with the IMF on these moves, and believes
that the revision of mining contracts can be justified
because of increases in mineral prices and that this type of
revision is permissible under the original agreements. There
is also ongoing coordination with the IMF on introduction of
a VAT, and the plan is that the new tax will take effect in
the fourth quarter of 2008 or the first quarter of 2009.


8. (U) Assistant Secretary Frazer did not have a chance
clear on this message before departing Freetown.

PERRY