CAMEROON: PRESIDENT BIYA'S NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 000032 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT ALSO FOR AF/C PARIS AND LONDON FOR AFRICA ACTION OFFICERS EUCOM FOR J5-A AFRICA DIVISION AND POLAD YATES E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS ECON CM NI TBIO SENV SUBJECT: CAMEROON: PRESIDENT BIYA'S NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE ¶1. (U) President Biya delivered his New Year's message to the diplomatic corps January 4, which largely echoed his New Year's address to the nation (septel). In his 20 minute remarks he named the June 12 Greentree Agreement on Bakassi and reaching the HIPC Completion Point in April as Cameroon's two greatest successes in 2006. He warmly praised Nigerian President Obasanjo, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the four witness countries for their role in securing the agreement. Biya stressed that the Greentree Agreement did not create victors and vanquished, rather it underscored the mutual commitment to peaceful dispute resolution. Calling Nigeria a neighbor and a friend, President Biya said Cameroon's reolve in fully respecting all of its commitments under Greentree is "unshakable." ¶2. (U) On HIPC, Biya thanked the IFIs and donor community for helping Cameroon reach its goal and reiterated Cameroon's determination to use funds for infrastructure, health and education wisely. Health is a particular concern in Africa, with much more to be done to combat HIV/AIDS and malaria especially, he said. Infrastructure improvements, especially in energy and water, would reinforce efforts to prevent and combat disease. ¶3. (U) Turning to the sub-region, Biya noted his concern about the situation in Ivory Coast and his satisfaction with deepening democratization in Congo-Kinshasa. Problems in the Middle East (he named Israel, the Palestinian Autority, Lebanon and Iraq) are worrying and require the concerted efforts of all countries to resolve. For its part, President Biya said, Cameroon would be the champion of peace "wherever it is threatened." ¶4. (U) Biya singled out global warming as a particular concern, saying all countries must work together to counter this and other environmental problems. ¶5. (U) Without naming names, President Biya acknowledged the important role the "great powers" have played in Cameroon, as investors and advisors and said the country appreciated the interest taken in helping Cameroon achieve its social, political and economic goals. MARQUARDT