SWAZILAND - MCC BACK ON RADAR

UNCLAS MBABANE 000236


AF/S (MHARRIS)
MCC Lawrence Connell

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KMCA WZ
SUBJECT: SWAZILAND - MCC BACK ON RADAR


1. SUMMARY: On August 8, 2008, Ambassador Maurice Parker met with
King Mswati III and discussed a variety of topics, including
Swaziland's Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) scorecard and
qualification possibilities. King Mswati showed extreme interest
and said he would organize a committee to address MCA eligibility
before heading to an August 15 meeting in South Africa. END
SUMMARY.


2. In an August 8 meeting with Ambassador Parker, King Mswati III
responded enthusiastically to Ambassador Parker's encouragement to
participate in the MCA. Mswati stated he wants to improve
Swaziland's scorecard scores and that making reforms, such as
providing universal education and improving health care service
delivery, are possible. Mswati said he will create a committee to
begin the MCA process before he leaves for South Africa on August

15.


3. COMMENT: King Mswati was excited to hear that Embassy wants to
work with GKOS to address eligibility requirements and help navigate
the MCA process. In light of Swaziland's neighbors (Lesotho and
Mozambique) receiving substantial MCA funding, Post is not surprised
at Swaziland's interest. Although Post has previously presented
MCA benefits to GKOS officials, interest from the King should move
MCA qualification to the front burner. Embassy notes, however, that
GKOS is still substantially behind on meeting agreed-upon Global
Fund objectives that overlap with some MCA indicators. Although
Swaziland's new government will not be named until October, and
actual operation not begin until even later, Post will utilize every
opportunity to remind the King that progress toward MCA goals should
be one of its priorities.
END COMMENT.


PARKER