DFA FORE'S MEETING WITH DRC PRIME MINISTER ANTOINE GIZENGA

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000279 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL PGOV CG SUBJECT: DFA FORE'S MEETING WITH DRC PRIME MINISTER ANTOINE GIZENGA 1.(SBU) USAID Administrator and Director of Foreign Assistance Henrietta Fore discussed U.S. assistance and DRC needs with Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga March 17 in Kinshasa. The tenor of the meeting was friendly and positive. Fore was accompanied by Ambassador Garvelink, Assistant Administrator Kate Almquist, Mission Director Stephen Haykin, A/DCM David Brown, and Special Assistant Wesley Wilson. Minister Godefroid Mayobo, Deputy Chief of Staff Hugo Mwanza, and interpreter Barnabe Muyogo accompanied the Prime Minister. ¶2. (SBU) Fore expressed U.S. readiness to aid Congolese development efforts. Gizenga stressed that the DRC lacked viable infrastructure 48 years after independence. He said the DRC would benefit from U.S. assistance in the construction, agriculture, and industrial sectors. Fore noted that public works would create additional economic benefits in the form of jobs. ¶3. (SBU) Fore recalled her trip to eastern DRC the previous day and U.S. support for the Goma peace process. She highlighted the need for educational, health, and economic assistance for women and children, not only in the east but throughout the country. Gizenga expressed appreciation for U.S. involvement in the Kivu peace processes. He noted his personal record in support of women's rights. He acknowledged that lack of educational opportunities can push women into difficult circumstances, citing prostitution and AIDS. ¶4. (SBU) Fore suggested that Gizenga help link the DRC government and the Congolese people through radio addresses, capitalizing on his long political history and respect in the DRC. She cited the success of USG internet and text messaging programs in public awareness campaigns. Gizenga expressed skepticism that the Congolese public would follow the radio broadcasts, but said he appreciated the value of technology in public education. ¶5. (SBU) Fore asked for Gizenga's perspective on the central African region, noting the recent steps toward peace in Sudan, Uganda, and eastern DRC. Gizenga stated that the intentions of national leaders mattered most, and said his primary concern was to lift the Congolese people out of poverty. ¶6. (SBU) Gizenga said that the DRC suffers from a flight of talent due to lack of economic opportunity. He characterized the DRC as a nation of dormant potential that has suffered during the past 50 years. Fore emphasized that the Congolese people are a sleeping asset that can be empowered through education to build a prosperous DRC. ¶7. (SBU) Comment: The Prime Minister was clearly not feeling well during the meeting, and had hosted Fore in defiance of his own doctors' advice. His interest in cooperation with the U.S. was apparent, although he spoke mostly in generalities in articulating development priorities and made little reference to his government's programs other than the Governance Compact. End Comment. GARVELINK