USAID ADMINISTRATOR FORE'S MEETING WITH DRC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000284 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/21/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID KPKO CG SUBJECT: USAID ADMINISTRATOR FORE'S MEETING WITH DRC PRESIDENT JOSEPH KABILA Classified By: A/DCM D. Brown for reasons 1.4 (b&d) ¶1. (C) Summary: USAID Administrator Henrietta Fore stressed U.S. support for development assistance to the DRC and for the Goma peace process and the Nairobi communique in her March 17 meeting with President Kabila. She stressed that the Congolese people must see tangible change in their daily lives. Kabila emphasized his "five priorities" platform and his particular interest in revitalizing the rural sector. The two discussed the need for business development, diversified investment, and anti-corruption measures. Kabila expressed frustration with certain international donors, notably the EU and the World Bank, and with armed groups in the east that have retained their weapons and continue to recruit new fighters. End summary. "The Five Priorities" and Development -------------- ¶2. (SBU) USAID Administrator and Director of U.S. Foreign Assistance Henrietta Fore stressed that the Congolese people must see change in their daily lives as well as the benefits of political democracy when she met with President Kabila March 17 in Kinshasa. Fore was joined by Africa Assistant Administrator Kate Almquist, the Ambassador and USAID Mission Director Stephen Haykin, with PolOff as notetaker. Kabila Chief of Staff Raymond Tshibanda also sat in. ¶3. (SBU) Kabila agreed with Fore's argument and described the "five priorities" for development -- infrastructure (including roads),employment, health, water/electricity and education -- which had served as his campaign platform. He said the GDRC will concentrate on these objectives over the next five years. He noted that projects in these areas will also strengthen the economy by creating jobs. Fore expressed appreciation for the idea of such a priority list as a mechanism for focusing the attention of government institutions and international donors. ¶4. (SBU) Fore asked Kabila how the GDRC communicates the importance of these five priorities to the Congolese people. Kabila said that the most effective medium has been radio, although this does not allow access to all of the population. ¶5. (SBU) Kabila emphasized his interest in rural as well as urban development. He said that revitalizing the rural sector will help reverse the trend of overpopulated cities. As a corollary, Fore noted the fragility of the soil and agricultural encroachment on forests in the east, and stressed the importance of teaching good soil and land conservation practices. ¶6. (C) Kabila expressed his frustration with certain international donors, especially the World Bank and the EU, for overly bureaucratic practices and lack of follow-through on projects. Fore and Almquist promised to help with a donor coordination process. Business Creation -------------- ¶7. (C) Fore emphasized her interest in assisting business development and entrepreneurship in the DRC, highlighting it as a stabilizing influence. She stressed the need to work on easing the burden of doing business and the importance of transparency and anti-corruption measures. Almquist said that USAID has a broad array of anti-corruption programs which could be of use to the DRC. Kabila agreed wholeheartedly with the need to tackle the problem of corruption holistically. (Note: Kabila had discussed the issue previously with the Ambassador, who is reviewing options with Tshibanda. End note.) ¶8. (SBU) Kabila concurred that foreign investment is crucial to the success of the DRC. He emphasized that diversification is needed, as most investment is currently concentrated in the mining sector. Fore also expressed support for the importance of investment in such sectors as manufacturing and small services. Goma/Nairobi -------------- ¶9. (C) Fore underscored continuing U.S. support for the Goma peace process and Nairobi communique. She cautioned that there appeared to be unease in Goma about a potential return KINSHASA 00000284 002 OF 002 to hostilities. Kabila said that, while the peace process is ongoing, armed groups in the area have retained their weapons and are still recruiting. He also warned against linking the two processes, as it might block forward progress of one or the other. ¶10. (U) Administrator Fore did not have a chance to clear this cable before leaving Kinshasa. GARVELINK