UNCLAS YAOUNDE 001143

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA ACTION OFFICERS
EUCOM FOR J5-A AND POLAD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KMCA PHUM PINR CM
SUBJECT: CAMEROON: PM SALUTES "SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP" WITH
U.S.

REF: A. YAOUNDE 1140

B. YAOUNDE 1134

C. YAOUNDE 1088


1. (SBU) Summary. Ambassador Garvey, in her initial call
on Prime Minister Ephraim Inoni on September 18, told the PM
that the U.S. would continue to be "open, honest and
supportive" of Cameroon and would maintain its focus on
strengthening democratic processes, fostering economic
growth, and improving collaboration on security issues.
Inoni welcomed the Ambassador to Cameroon and thanked her for
the "special relationship we enjoy with the United States"
and for the "assistance of the Embassy and the Department of
State." The PM and the Ambassador agreed on the importance
of attracting more U.S. investment to Cameroon. End summary.

Investment: Key to Economic Growth
==================================


2. (SBU) Ambassador Garvey opened the meeting by
congratulating Inoni on the new government lineup; she
emphasized that the Embassy looked forward to working with
the new cabinet team. She told Inoni the U.S. was pleased
with President Biya's focus, in his recent public statement
(ref A), on issues of mutual interest to both countries.
Inoni, responding to the Ambassador's question on how the new
government was settling in, identified the main challenge on
the immediate horizon: economic growth. He said Cameroon
needed to attract more investment, and acknowledged that the
government needed to do more to remove obstacles. The
Ambassador agreed, noting that positive experiences would be
a strong selling point for other potential investors.


3. (SBU) The Ambassador thanked Inoni for his role in
resolving the matter of the Sabga community members who had
taken "refuge" on the Embassy's doorstep (ref C). Inoni
indicated that he was maintaining a watchful eye on the
situation in Sabga.


4. (SBU) Inoni, offering general comments about Cameroon,
noted its strategic location in the Gulf of Guinea and its
durable stability, which he attributed in part to the
population's ethnic diversity. No single group from among
the country's 250 distinct tribes, he explained, was dominant.


5. (SBU) Comment. This meeting was friendly throughout,
with Inoni repeating several times that Ambassador Garvey
should not hesitate to call him for any reason, at any time
of the day or night. He clearly wants to continue the
strong, positive relationship he has enjoyed with the Embassy
during his tenure in office. We assured him that we want the
same thing. End comment.
GARVEY