Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LIBREVILLE308
2007-07-17 15:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Libreville
how-toVZCZCXYZ0032 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHLC #0308 1981553 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 171553Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9791 INFO RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 1397 RUEHLU/AMEMBASSY LUANDA 0970 RUEHNJ/AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA 0442 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0900 RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE 0822
UNCLAS LIBREVILLE 000308
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM GB
SUBJECT: GABON MISCELLANY
UNCLAS LIBREVILLE 000308
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM GB
SUBJECT: GABON MISCELLANY
1. CHINESE PRESENCE/PRESENTS. On June 26, the Gabonese
Minister of Public Construction and the Minister of
Telecommunication visited the construction site of the new
national radio and television-broadcasting center being built
by the PRC in Gabon. Construction began on this project in
2005. The massive 34,000 sq. ft. three-building complex will
house forty-two offices, two television studios, and three
radio stations. The PRC is scheduled to hand over the center
to Gabonese authorities by the end of the year.
2. JOURNALIST ARRESTED. On June 28, the publisher of the
independent newspaper L'Espoir was taken into custody on
charges of illegally concurrently serving as a civil servant
and member of the press. "Coincidentally", his arrest
followed the publication of his article entitled, "The Last
Days of Bongo." He remains in custody.
3. VISA AGREEMENT BETWEEN FRANCE AND GABON. On July 5, French
Minister for Immigration Brice Hortefeux and Vice Prime
Minister Jean Ping signed an agreement which will ease travel
restrictions for Gabonese wishing to work or study in France,
and will also ease residency requirements for French citizens
living in Gabon.
4. AIRTRAFFIC CONTROLLERS' STRIKE. On June 29, the air
traffic controller's agency (ASECNA) went on strike, halting
both departures and arrivals at the airports in Libreville
and Port Gentil. Press reports indicate that ASECNA employees
were protesting the granting of undeserved bonuses to
executives and not being paid. A non-governmental source
indicated that the executives that received the bonuses are
Gabonese citizens in nominal supervisory roles, while the
majority of the employees that have not been paid in over 6
months are non-Gabonese. The issue was resolved by the
evening, and flights resumed their normal schedules.
WALKLEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM GB
SUBJECT: GABON MISCELLANY
1. CHINESE PRESENCE/PRESENTS. On June 26, the Gabonese
Minister of Public Construction and the Minister of
Telecommunication visited the construction site of the new
national radio and television-broadcasting center being built
by the PRC in Gabon. Construction began on this project in
2005. The massive 34,000 sq. ft. three-building complex will
house forty-two offices, two television studios, and three
radio stations. The PRC is scheduled to hand over the center
to Gabonese authorities by the end of the year.
2. JOURNALIST ARRESTED. On June 28, the publisher of the
independent newspaper L'Espoir was taken into custody on
charges of illegally concurrently serving as a civil servant
and member of the press. "Coincidentally", his arrest
followed the publication of his article entitled, "The Last
Days of Bongo." He remains in custody.
3. VISA AGREEMENT BETWEEN FRANCE AND GABON. On July 5, French
Minister for Immigration Brice Hortefeux and Vice Prime
Minister Jean Ping signed an agreement which will ease travel
restrictions for Gabonese wishing to work or study in France,
and will also ease residency requirements for French citizens
living in Gabon.
4. AIRTRAFFIC CONTROLLERS' STRIKE. On June 29, the air
traffic controller's agency (ASECNA) went on strike, halting
both departures and arrivals at the airports in Libreville
and Port Gentil. Press reports indicate that ASECNA employees
were protesting the granting of undeserved bonuses to
executives and not being paid. A non-governmental source
indicated that the executives that received the bonuses are
Gabonese citizens in nominal supervisory roles, while the
majority of the employees that have not been paid in over 6
months are non-Gabonese. The issue was resolved by the
evening, and flights resumed their normal schedules.
WALKLEY