Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LUSAKA1089
2008-11-07 05:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Lusaka
Cable title:
ZAMBIA EAGER FOR MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE COMPACT
how-toVZCZCXRO5245 PP RUEHLMC DE RUEHLS #1089 3120547 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 070547Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6451 RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS LUSAKA 001089
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL ZA
SUBJECT: ZAMBIA EAGER FOR MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE COMPACT
Ref: State 11916
UNCLAS LUSAKA 001089
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL ZA
SUBJECT: ZAMBIA EAGER FOR MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE COMPACT
Ref: State 11916
1. (U) Zambian Secretary to the Treasury C. Evans Chibiliti welcomed
improvement on Zambia's FY09 Millennium Challenge Corporation
Scorecard November 6 and committed the Government of Zambia (GRZ) to
working "hard to bring this about" quickly. DCM delivered the
scorecard, congratulating Zambia on meeting the targets (except for
investment in primary education) and explaining that the MCC Board
would meet in December to determine Zambia's eligibility to submit a
proposal for a compact. He emphasized that approval for a compact
was never a certainty and advised that, even if Zambia were
approved, compacts often take 12-18 months to negotiate. DCM
further advised Zambia to take careful note of the borderline
"Investing in People" targets, in order that they not be allowed to
deteriorate and affect Zambia's eligibility.
2. (U) Chibiliti characterized a compact as an "elusive target" and
welcomed the scorecard news. At the same time, he wondered how the
primary education spending had failed to meet the median threshold,
in that education and health funding is ring-fenced in the Zambian
budget. Chibiliti promised to look into it and said it "can be
fixed relatively quickly." He questioned how Zambia could expedite
the negotiation process, noting that the recently elected Banda
government has only a three-year term and would want to point to
results before the 2011 elections.
3. (U) DCM advised Chibiliti to begin thinking about
poverty-reducing, income-generating proposals, so that if Zambia
were selected for a compact, negotiations could start quickly. He
also reiterated MCC's suggestion to consult with other compact
neighbors, such as Mozambique, Tanzania, and Namibia, to see what
lessons could be learned from their experiences. Chibiliti affirmed
that Zambia has clear ideas and priorities consistent with its
national development plan. He reiterated the GRZ commitment to
seize the opportunity if Zambia were selected in December.
BOOTH
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL ZA
SUBJECT: ZAMBIA EAGER FOR MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE COMPACT
Ref: State 11916
1. (U) Zambian Secretary to the Treasury C. Evans Chibiliti welcomed
improvement on Zambia's FY09 Millennium Challenge Corporation
Scorecard November 6 and committed the Government of Zambia (GRZ) to
working "hard to bring this about" quickly. DCM delivered the
scorecard, congratulating Zambia on meeting the targets (except for
investment in primary education) and explaining that the MCC Board
would meet in December to determine Zambia's eligibility to submit a
proposal for a compact. He emphasized that approval for a compact
was never a certainty and advised that, even if Zambia were
approved, compacts often take 12-18 months to negotiate. DCM
further advised Zambia to take careful note of the borderline
"Investing in People" targets, in order that they not be allowed to
deteriorate and affect Zambia's eligibility.
2. (U) Chibiliti characterized a compact as an "elusive target" and
welcomed the scorecard news. At the same time, he wondered how the
primary education spending had failed to meet the median threshold,
in that education and health funding is ring-fenced in the Zambian
budget. Chibiliti promised to look into it and said it "can be
fixed relatively quickly." He questioned how Zambia could expedite
the negotiation process, noting that the recently elected Banda
government has only a three-year term and would want to point to
results before the 2011 elections.
3. (U) DCM advised Chibiliti to begin thinking about
poverty-reducing, income-generating proposals, so that if Zambia
were selected for a compact, negotiations could start quickly. He
also reiterated MCC's suggestion to consult with other compact
neighbors, such as Mozambique, Tanzania, and Namibia, to see what
lessons could be learned from their experiences. Chibiliti affirmed
that Zambia has clear ideas and priorities consistent with its
national development plan. He reiterated the GRZ commitment to
seize the opportunity if Zambia were selected in December.
BOOTH