Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08OUAGADOUGOU971
2008-10-20 15:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ouagadougou
Cable title:
PRIME MINISTER STRESSES FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION WITH DONORS
how-toVZCZCXRO9680 RR RUEHPA DE RUEHOU #0971/01 2941529 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 201529Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4300 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 OUAGADOUGOU 000971
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W - LOCKHART;
MCC FOR DAVID WELD
ACCRA FOR WATH
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON EFIN PHUM UV
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER STRESSES FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION WITH DONORS
OUAGADOUGO 00000971 001.2 OF 002
Classified by Charge d'Affaires Samuel C. Laeuchli for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
-------
SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 OUAGADOUGOU 000971
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W - LOCKHART;
MCC FOR DAVID WELD
ACCRA FOR WATH
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON EFIN PHUM UV
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER STRESSES FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION WITH DONORS
OUAGADOUGO 00000971 001.2 OF 002
Classified by Charge d'Affaires Samuel C. Laeuchli for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) Prime Minister Zongo met with the Chiefs of Mission from donor
countries and organizations on October 16th and 17th. In a private
session on the 16th, Zongo was extremely open in accepting criticism
of his government's progress on key economic issues, and instructed
select Ministers to move forward. At a public session on the 17th,
Zongo was somewhat more combative, pushing back on what he seemed to
consider unfair criticism. On both occasions, Zongo stressed the
fight against corruption as the basis for progress on the economic
front. Clearly Zongo continues to make the anti-corruption effort
one of the key elements of his government. End Summary.
--------------
DONORS RAISE CONCERNS
--------------
2. (C) Prime Minister Zongo met in a restricted meeting with Chiefs
of Mission from donor countries and organizations on October 16th to
discuss a variety of issues. This was one of a regular series of
meetings the PM holds with this group to engage in frank discussion.
The format was structured to allow donors to raise concerns, which
they had shared in writing with Zongo in advance.
3. (C) Most of the issues raised fell into the realm of economic
development and good governance. Although donors commented
positively on the significant improvements the country has recently
registered in surveys done by Transparency International and the
World Bank's "Doing Business" indicators, they stressed that much
remains to be done.
4. (C) The World Bank and UNDP began the discussions with a critique
of the public procurement/public tender system, arguing that these
areas were not sufficiently transparent and need to be improved.
This was followed by a criticism of the judicial system, particularly
the slow pace of rendering decisions. Other areas of concern
included problems with the business environment, corruption, and
gender equality.
--------------
THE PRIME MINISTER RESPONDS
--------------
5. (C) Zongo was remarkably open in his responses to the criticism.
He had assembled four of his key ministers (Finance, Health, Justice
and Civil Service) to help answer difficult questions, but also, it
appeared, to make sure that they were getting the full flavor of the
donors' comments. Although he took on board the criticism, Zongo
pleaded for time to work on some of the issues. For example, he
stressed that in terms of public tenders, he had instituted the
Autorite de Regulation des Marches Publics (ARMP),a new oversight
body that includes members of the public and private sectors as well
as civil society. However, he pointed out, this system was only
established in July and would need time to become fully operational.
6. (C) In a similar vein, Zongo said that he is working to improve
the judiciary, but special training will be needed for magistrates.
Many magistrates, he said, are poorly equipped to deal with complex
commercial cases due to a lack of experience and training in the
field. New magistrates are needed, Zongo argued, who have economic
backgrounds. They will also need specialized training to be
effective. Improvements in this area will take time, and he will ask
donors to assist with the training requirements.
7. (C) Zongo did spend considerable time stressing the importance of
the fight against corruption. All his other efforts in the realm of
good governance would mean little, he claimed, if corruption could
not be brought under control. He was very direct in speaking of
corruption, not hiding behind euphemisms and polite phrases. It
appeared to be Zongo's intention to make it clear to both donors and
his own ministers how important this issue is to him.
--------------
PUBLIC CRITICISM LESS WELCOME
--------------
8. (C) At a public mid-year review of Burkina Faso's anti-poverty
strategy the next day, donors reiterated the same criticisms more
forcefully and centered more specifically on poverty reduction. The
EU's Ambassador pointed out that, in spite of economic growth in the
country, poverty had actually increased from 42.1 percent in 2006 to
42.6 percent in 2007. He also pointed out that although some of the
economic and business indicators had improved; others such as the
OUAGADOUGO 00000971 002.2 OF 002
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate had stagnated or even
deteriorated. In general, the donors' remarks were fairly negative
in tone.
9. (C) Reacting to this negativity, and perhaps to the fact that this
event was being filmed for television, the Prime Minister refuted the
criticism. For example, he said that even the World Bank had
predicted an increase in poverty worldwide as a result of rising
energy and food prices. "How could one expect," he said, "Burkina
Faso to buck such a global trend that has nothing to do with local
policies?" He also pointed out that his government's pleas for help
in certain poverty reduction activities, particularly in the
agricultural sector, had been "ignored" by donors.
10. (C) When it came to corruption, Zongo made many of the same
points publicly that he had stressed the day before in private. He
clearly wanted to emphasize to the public audience that he is serious
about the fight against corruption and that all other improvements in
governance depend on this point.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
11. (C) Zongo conveys the impression of someone who is working hard
on real problems in an open and transparent manner. Particularly in
private, he took on board criticism and did not shy away from tough
issues and straight talk. His inclusion of key Ministers gave a
sense that he would make the government work for visible
improvements. In public he was more aware of his domestic audience
and constituency, and did not want to appear "bullied" by donors.
Through all of this, Zongo highlighted the fight against corruption
as a central theme for his government and as a core element of his
own legitimacy.
LAEUCHLI
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W - LOCKHART;
MCC FOR DAVID WELD
ACCRA FOR WATH
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON EFIN PHUM UV
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER STRESSES FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION WITH DONORS
OUAGADOUGO 00000971 001.2 OF 002
Classified by Charge d'Affaires Samuel C. Laeuchli for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (C) Prime Minister Zongo met with the Chiefs of Mission from donor
countries and organizations on October 16th and 17th. In a private
session on the 16th, Zongo was extremely open in accepting criticism
of his government's progress on key economic issues, and instructed
select Ministers to move forward. At a public session on the 17th,
Zongo was somewhat more combative, pushing back on what he seemed to
consider unfair criticism. On both occasions, Zongo stressed the
fight against corruption as the basis for progress on the economic
front. Clearly Zongo continues to make the anti-corruption effort
one of the key elements of his government. End Summary.
--------------
DONORS RAISE CONCERNS
--------------
2. (C) Prime Minister Zongo met in a restricted meeting with Chiefs
of Mission from donor countries and organizations on October 16th to
discuss a variety of issues. This was one of a regular series of
meetings the PM holds with this group to engage in frank discussion.
The format was structured to allow donors to raise concerns, which
they had shared in writing with Zongo in advance.
3. (C) Most of the issues raised fell into the realm of economic
development and good governance. Although donors commented
positively on the significant improvements the country has recently
registered in surveys done by Transparency International and the
World Bank's "Doing Business" indicators, they stressed that much
remains to be done.
4. (C) The World Bank and UNDP began the discussions with a critique
of the public procurement/public tender system, arguing that these
areas were not sufficiently transparent and need to be improved.
This was followed by a criticism of the judicial system, particularly
the slow pace of rendering decisions. Other areas of concern
included problems with the business environment, corruption, and
gender equality.
--------------
THE PRIME MINISTER RESPONDS
--------------
5. (C) Zongo was remarkably open in his responses to the criticism.
He had assembled four of his key ministers (Finance, Health, Justice
and Civil Service) to help answer difficult questions, but also, it
appeared, to make sure that they were getting the full flavor of the
donors' comments. Although he took on board the criticism, Zongo
pleaded for time to work on some of the issues. For example, he
stressed that in terms of public tenders, he had instituted the
Autorite de Regulation des Marches Publics (ARMP),a new oversight
body that includes members of the public and private sectors as well
as civil society. However, he pointed out, this system was only
established in July and would need time to become fully operational.
6. (C) In a similar vein, Zongo said that he is working to improve
the judiciary, but special training will be needed for magistrates.
Many magistrates, he said, are poorly equipped to deal with complex
commercial cases due to a lack of experience and training in the
field. New magistrates are needed, Zongo argued, who have economic
backgrounds. They will also need specialized training to be
effective. Improvements in this area will take time, and he will ask
donors to assist with the training requirements.
7. (C) Zongo did spend considerable time stressing the importance of
the fight against corruption. All his other efforts in the realm of
good governance would mean little, he claimed, if corruption could
not be brought under control. He was very direct in speaking of
corruption, not hiding behind euphemisms and polite phrases. It
appeared to be Zongo's intention to make it clear to both donors and
his own ministers how important this issue is to him.
--------------
PUBLIC CRITICISM LESS WELCOME
--------------
8. (C) At a public mid-year review of Burkina Faso's anti-poverty
strategy the next day, donors reiterated the same criticisms more
forcefully and centered more specifically on poverty reduction. The
EU's Ambassador pointed out that, in spite of economic growth in the
country, poverty had actually increased from 42.1 percent in 2006 to
42.6 percent in 2007. He also pointed out that although some of the
economic and business indicators had improved; others such as the
OUAGADOUGO 00000971 002.2 OF 002
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate had stagnated or even
deteriorated. In general, the donors' remarks were fairly negative
in tone.
9. (C) Reacting to this negativity, and perhaps to the fact that this
event was being filmed for television, the Prime Minister refuted the
criticism. For example, he said that even the World Bank had
predicted an increase in poverty worldwide as a result of rising
energy and food prices. "How could one expect," he said, "Burkina
Faso to buck such a global trend that has nothing to do with local
policies?" He also pointed out that his government's pleas for help
in certain poverty reduction activities, particularly in the
agricultural sector, had been "ignored" by donors.
10. (C) When it came to corruption, Zongo made many of the same
points publicly that he had stressed the day before in private. He
clearly wanted to emphasize to the public audience that he is serious
about the fight against corruption and that all other improvements in
governance depend on this point.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
11. (C) Zongo conveys the impression of someone who is working hard
on real problems in an open and transparent manner. Particularly in
private, he took on board criticism and did not shy away from tough
issues and straight talk. His inclusion of key Ministers gave a
sense that he would make the government work for visible
improvements. In public he was more aware of his domestic audience
and constituency, and did not want to appear "bullied" by donors.
Through all of this, Zongo highlighted the fight against corruption
as a central theme for his government and as a core element of his
own legitimacy.
LAEUCHLI