ENGAGEMENT WITH CHINA IN SIERRA LEONE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000208

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2018
TAGS: PGOV EAGR ECPS EFIN MARR PREL SENV TRGY XA
XE, SL
SUBJECT: ENGAGEMENT WITH CHINA IN SIERRA LEONE

REF: A. STATE 41697

B. FREETOWN 147

C. FREETOWN 182

D. 2007 FREETOWN 153

Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) Please see the following responses, pursuant to reftel
A:

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CHINESE ENGAGEMENT IN SIERRA LEONE
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2. (C) As noted in reftel B, the Chinese Government's focus
in Sierra Leone is technical assistance in targeted sectors
and infrastructure development. Their primary interest,
according to Ambassador Wenju in his meeting with U.S.
Ambassador (reftel B) on February 13, is helping to expand
the agricultural sector, with plans to provide equipment and
teams of technical advisors to increase production of rice
and other staples. The energy sector is another area of
focus, with intentions to assist in the development of a
long-term strategic plan for meeting the country's growing
energy needs.


3. (C) With regards to infrastructure, the Chinese are
actively constructing or remodeling prominent civic
structures and buildings. The formerly neglected State House,
for example, became a renovation project once it became
apparent that President Koroma had an interest in seeing it
refurbished and utilized by his government (reftel C). A new
Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been under review for some
time and will be constructed near the Parliament building
(reftel B). Additional current building projects include
hospitals, schools, and stadiums. Reftel D outlines past
projects.


4. (C) The Government of China has also been active in
providing equipment and supplies to the Republic of Sierra
Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF). Uniforms and boots for the entire
RSLAF contingent were donated in early 2008, and ten small
boats were recently presented to the RSLAF Maritime Wing. The
latter donation, however, came with stipulations that the
boats cannot be used to address piracy involving Chinese
fishermen engaging in illegal and over-fishing in Sierra
Leonean waters. The Chinese have also promised the RSLAF a
Y-12 light-winged surveillance aircraft for coastline patrol,
though that promise is not expected to come to fruition soon.


5. (C) The Chinese support some training and visitor programs
in China. Ambassador Wenju noted that they send approximately
100 Sierra Leoneans to China each year for training, which
includes some military personnel.


6. (C) Little is known about the relationship between the
current government and the Government of China. Ambassador
Wenju mentioned during his February meeting with Ambassador
Perry that it was unlikely a visit by President Koroma to
Beijing could be scheduled during the 2008 calendar year, but
it should be noted that the Minister of Defense recently
returned from a visit to discuss further support for the
RSLAF, including equipment.

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ENGAGEMENT, COORDINATION, COOPERATION BETWEEN MISSIONS
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7. (C) Post maintains a cordial diplomatic relationship with
the Chinese Mission in Sierra Leone (but has adhered to
Department's guidance since the Tibet incidents). Ambassadors
Perry and Wenju met, per reftel B, and discussed mutual
political and development goals, and Ambassador has been
invited to other events hosted at the Chinese Embassy. Post's
Chinese counterparts are not regularly seen at meetings or
throughout Freetown, and information on their activities here
is rarely shared. Ambassador Wenju does attend a monthly
Chiefs of Mission meeting hosted by the UN, and also
participated in joint discussions between the international
community and the Presidential candidates in the 2007
election to urge calm and responsible behavior. Chinese
regularly attend the Peace-Building Commission meetings.


8. (C) Improving cooperation and coordination requires
increased discourse between the two missions. Encouragement
with regards to transparency of information and action would
be invaluable, particularly to ensure complementarity in
development assistance and diplomacy goals.

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SIERRA LEONEAN PERCEPTION OF CHINA

FREETOWN 00000208 002 OF 002


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9. (C) Anti-Chinese sentiment is growing in Sierra Leone, in
part due to their involvement in the fishing, timber, and
extractive industries. Many view their presence here with
suspicion and skepticism, believing that Chinese interest is
solely based on their desire to exploit and profit from the
country's natural resources, rather than altruism. Sierra
Leoneans generally perceive that the benefits the Chinese are
reaping from the country are far greater in value than
programs and assistance the Chinese government provides in
return. With a regular and unaccounted for number of Chinese
entering Sierra Leone to work in the sectors mentioned, or
engage in petty trading, there is a strong chance that
negative opinion will continue to proliferate.

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COMMENT
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10. (C) While technical assistance projects are important in
a country with significant need in nearly all sectors, the
infrastructure projects do little by way of enhancing
capacity. Local laborers hired for construction do receive
some training, and some are even sent to China to learn
specific techniques, but Chinese workers still form the core
team for oversight, management, and implementation of
construction projects. Given the "showy" nature of the
projects selected, such as large-scale, highly-visible
buildings, they are often difficult to maintain. Ambassador
Wenju stated that teams from China assist with maintenance
for a few years after the projects are completed, but
long-term maintenance continues to be a problem.


11. (C) Ambassador Wenju and his team are very quiet
contributors within the diplomatic community, infrequently
offering their opinions or comments. Their opinions and
comments when voiced, however, are often completely in-line
with the thoughts offered by their Western counterparts,
including the USG. Still, their lack of visibility lends an
enigmatic air to their presence in Sierra Leone that creates,
at the very least, an illusion that not seeking regular
opportunities for engagement is an element of a larger
strategy. END COMMENT.
PERRY