UNCLAS YAOUNDE 000994

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR IO/UNP AND AF/RSA
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA ACTION OFFICERS
EUCOM FOR J5-1 AFRICA DIVISION AND POLAD YATES

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: IO PREL PGOV CM
SUBJECT: CAMEROON'S UN REP: BIYA WANTS POSITIVE RELATIONS
WITH THE U.S. MORE "VISIBLE"



1. (SBU) President Biya has instructed his diplomats to
make Cameroon's positive relations with the U.S. more
"visible," according to Cameroon's Permanent Representative
to the United Nations, Martin Belinga Eboutou. Belinga
called on Charge d'Affaires on August 6 to ask how Cameroon's
UN delegation could help further USG priority issues.


2. (SBU) The resolution of the Bakassi dispute with
Nigeria, Belinga said, would free more resources for Cameroon
to contribute to UN peacekeeping operations (UNPKOs).
Belinga welcomed the prospect of Cameroon's participation in
the ACOTA program, and noted that future Cameroonian
contributions to UNPKOs were a priority for the USG.


3. (SBU) Belinga placed the chance of Biya's attendance at
the upcoming UNGA at about 60 percent, which he raised to 75
percent when told of First Lady Laura Bush's invitation to
Cameroonian First Lady Chantal Biya. According to Belinga,
the big draws for Biya will be a proposed head of state
meeting on climate change (NFI) before the opening of UNGA
and the chance to attend the first UNGA under the leadership
of UNSYG Ban Ki-Moon. Additionally, Belinga said, the
presence of French President Sarkozy would attract Biya,
especially if the French go ahead with a planned
Africa-specific side meeting before UNGA opens (NFI).


4. (SBU) Belinga studied in Paris and Kinshasa, where he
reported having seen films of life in America (sponsored by
the USG, he implied) that left him with a positive impression
of the United States. Belinga averred that France is too
"closed," especially in comparison to the U.S. Belinga
posited that the Cameroonian public holds the U.S. in high
esteem and suggested that the U.S. would easily win a
"popularity contest" among Cameroonians.


5. (SBU) Comment. We have long sought greater Cameroonian
engagement in the region and in international fora. This is
not the first time that we have heard reports of Biya's
instructions to move the Government of Cameroon closer to the
USG and to pursue activities, like ACOTA, that will lead to
greater participation in PKOs. Belinga's demarche is yet
another indication that Cameroon wants to play more of a
leadership role in Africa, and wants to partner with the USG
in doing so. End comment.
NELSON