Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CHISINAU977
2008-10-01 13:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Chisinau
Cable title:  

Ambassador Discusses MCC, P.L. 480, Corruption and TIP, and

Tags:  PREL PGOV PINR KTIP MD 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHCH #0977 2751333
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 011333Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY CHISINAU
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 7140
C O N F I D E N T I A L CHISINAU 000977 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/UMB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/18
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR KTIP MD
SUBJECT: Ambassador Discusses MCC, P.L. 480, Corruption and TIP, and
Mass Media with Prime Minister Greceanii

Classified by CDA Kelly Keiderling under 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L CHISINAU 000977

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/UMB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/30/18
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR KTIP MD
SUBJECT: Ambassador Discusses MCC, P.L. 480, Corruption and TIP, and
Mass Media with Prime Minister Greceanii

Classified by CDA Kelly Keiderling under 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: In his first meeting with Prime Minister Greceanii,
Ambassador Asif Chaudhry explained delays in the signing of a
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact agreement; discussed
P.L. debt; pressed on the issue of civilian oversight for the Center
to Combat Economic Crimes and Corruption (CCECC); praised Moldovan
steps to deal with USG concerns about trafficking in persons (TIP);
and raised concerns about the Government's appearance of a
non-evenhanded approach to the media. End summary.


2. (C) The Prime Minister, who oversaw Moldova's MCC negotiations
when she was Finance Minister, noted her disappointment that the
signing of an MCC compact had been delayed to the autumn of 2009.
She also expressed concern that the number of irrigation projects had
been steadily reduced from ten to three. Since the Government had
publicized the MCC widely, she noted, the public was viewing the
delay with suspicion. The Ambassador noted that he shared her
concerns, and explained the need for feasibility studies to assess
the economic impact of and need for projects, to be completed first.
Responding to her concerns about public perceptions, he promised that
the process of starting the feasibility studies would be given
maximum publicity. (Note: The GOM's publicity regarding MCC was
scant enough to invite complaints to us from opposition parties that
they were being kept in the dark. End note.)


3. (C) Regarding P.L. 480 debt, now amounting to some USD 62 million
for capital and interest, the PM noted that Presidents Voronin and
Bush had discussed the issue. She blamed agricultural associations,
set up in 1996 to assist land privatization with P.L. 480 money, for
disappearing and leaving the GOM holding the debt. The Ambassador
promised to check, but noted that forgiveness required a vote in the
U.S. House of Representatives, and that he could therefore make no
promises.


4. (C) The Ambassador raised the issue of letters from the Embassy to
the PM's office regarding the establishment of a civilian board for
the CCECC, without which it would not be able to fight corruption
more effectively, as envisaged by the MCC Threshold Country Plan.
The PM replied that the GOM would make a decision authorizing the
board soon, and would instruct her senior advisor on the matter to
brief the Ambassador as soon as possible.


5. (C) The Ambassador praised the GOM for positive steps it had taken
against TIP, and noted that the response from the White House was
delayed not because of Moldova, but because of several problematical
countries in the list of 14 countries sent to POTUS for reevaluation.


6. (C) The Ambassador stressed that a free, fair and accessible
media, in the run-up to 2009 elections, were Moldova's opportunity to
show that the country was part of the West. He noted that complaints
about the Romanian-owned ProTV facing the removal of its license, or
television frequencies being assigned to government-supported
stations, gave a bad impression. The PM replied that there were
always two sides to a story, and that Moldova, as a young country,
needed more education for its media and political parties. She also
noted that the GOM had for the first time created a budget line item
to support the creation of a 33-member NGO Participation Council to
advise the government on such matters.


7. (C) Comment: Friendly, well-briefed, and keeping to her talking
points in front of a digital alarm clock, the Prime Minister
reinforced her well-established image as a cooperative interlocutor
who defends her corner well. We will not be surprised if President
Voronin anoints her as his successor. End comment.