Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BANGUI141
2008-07-25 11:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bangui
Cable title:  

BOZIZE CALLS EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO

Tags:  PGOV ECON CT 
pdf how-to read a cable
R 251115Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY BANGUI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0690
INFO AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE 
AMEMBASSY BANGUI
UNCLAS BANGUI 000141 


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON CT
SUBJECT: BOZIZE CALLS EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO
CONSIDER AMNESTY

UNCLAS BANGUI 000141


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON CT
SUBJECT: BOZIZE CALLS EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO
CONSIDER AMNESTY


1. By decree signed on July 24, 2008, President Francois Bozize
called an extraordinary session of the National Assembly
scheduled to start on August 1, 2008. On the agenda:

Adoption of an amnesty law
Review of the 2008 financial law
Adoption of a new forestry code
Adoption of a law organizing the functioning of the High Council
of Magistrature

This expected extraordinary National Assembly session agenda is
intended to address current CARG priorities in the framework of
the preparation of the Inclusive Political Dialogue, its
responses to the recent increase in various goods and service
prices as well as IMF requirements for some key sector reforms.


2. Amnesty law: One month after the signing of the Global
Agreement in Libreville, Gabon among the CARG, the opposition
political parties and the rebel groups, the adoption of the
amnesty law is an essential step to enable the Inclusive
Political Dialogue to take place.


3. Review of the 2008 financial law: This review became
necessary after the CARG, in response to the increases in
various goods and services prices adopted series of measures
including the reduction of the VAT from 19% to 5% on essential
products in last May. In the meantime the government also
increased oil prices to reflect oil prices increase on the
international markets. All these measures affected the level of
the government budget resources.


4. New forestry code: The adoption of this new forestry code is
an IMF requirement in the framework of the macro economic
measures to be adopted for the CAR qualification for HIPC debt
relief.


5. The law organizing the functioning of the High Council of
Magistrature appears to be a significant step in the Central
African Government attempt to reinforce its judicial system
independence.


6. COMMENT: Also not specifically named, in addition to leaders
of various rebel groups, former president Patasse and his
Defense Minister, Jean-Jacques Demafouth, who is now spokesman
for the APRD are expected to be granted amnesty so that they can
participate in the dialogue. END COMMENT.


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