Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE104183
2008-09-30 14:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

DAS SWAN,S MEETING WITH CAR PRESIDENT BOZIZE

Tags:  PREL PREF PHUM CT CD GB 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5051
OO RUEHGI
DE RUEHC #4183/01 2741502
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O P 301458Z SEP 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHGI/AMEMBASSY BANGUI IMMEDIATE 1163
INFO RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM PRIORITY 6441
RUEHLC/AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE PRIORITY 4463
RUEHNJ/AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA PRIORITY 3937
RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PRIORITY 8211
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 1103
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 9904
RUEHDS/USMISSION USAU ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 0055
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 3276
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 104183 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PREF PHUM CT CD GB
SUBJECT: DAS SWAN,S MEETING WITH CAR PRESIDENT BOZIZE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 104183

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PREF PHUM CT CD GB
SUBJECT: DAS SWAN,S MEETING WITH CAR PRESIDENT BOZIZE


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Highlighting the progress made during
recent peace talks in Libreville, CAR President Bozize
informed AF DAS Swan that a revised and more expansive
amnesty bill was with the national assembly, and the CARG
hoped to establish a tentative date for the national
dialogue. Bozize also reiterated his support for MINURCAT,s
presence in the CAR, as well as peacekeeping efforts in
northwest CAR. The CAR President expressed concern over the
slow implementation of foreign assistance programs in the
CAR, and appealed for USG support in facilitating positive
relations between the CARG and IFIs. END SUMMARY.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
CAR MOVING FORWARD ON NATIONAL DIALOGUE
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


2. (SBU) During a September 25 meeting with Deputy Assistant
Secretary (DAS) Swan at the margins of the United Nations
General Assembly, President Bozize noted that the Government
of the Central African Republic (CARG) remained committed to
peace talks with the armed opposition and national dialogue.
He indicated that the Government had agreed to support an
expanded amnesty bill that included acts that would
potentially implicate APRD President Jean Jacques Demafouth
and former CAR president Ang-Felix Patasse. The CARG,
according to Bozize, understood the importance of ensuring
the amnesty bill be as expansive as possible to appeal to all
groups involved in the peace process.


3. (SBU) Bozize added that the CARG now hoped for the
national assembly to approve the amnesty bill and draft
budget for the national dialogue, after which the Government
would work with the appropriate parties to determine a date
for the national dialogue to commence. (NOTE: During a
meeting later that day with DAS Swan, Gabonese FM Laurie
Gondjout said that the GOG went to great measures to bring
the parties to reconcile their differences and reach an
agreement on the expanded amnesty bill. Gabonese authorities
criticized Demafouth for pulling out of the talks without
notifying the other parties and going directly to the press.
At the same time, they highlighted to Bozize the importance
of preparing an amnesty bill that was acceptable to the armed
opposition. In spite of the progress made, Gondjout pointed
out that as opposition to expanded amnesty existed in both

the ranks of the armed opposition and the National Assembly,
there was still more work to be done to move the draft
legislation forward. She also asserted that the budgetary
proposal from the CARG established a price-tag of three
million US for the National Dialogue, for which donor support
is needed. END NOTE)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SUPPORT FOR REGIONAL PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


3. (SBU) The CAR president noted his continued support for
the United Nations Mission in the CAR and Chad (MINURCAT),
citing the need to overcome objections by Security Council
members (including the British). He contended that a failure
to continue MINURCAT,s presence in northeast CAR would
provide a security vacuum that would allow a number of armed
groups, including CAR rebels potentially supported in the
past by Sudanese authorities and members of the Chadian armed
opposition, to operate in and destabilize the region. DAS
Swan highlighted the USG position of support the continued
deployment of MINURCAT in northeast CAR.


4. (SBU) Bozize added that the CARG continued to welcome the
presence and activities of the Economic Community of Central
African States (CEEAC) peacekeeping operation in the
northwestern part of CAR (MICOPAX-1). However, continued
insecurity around the country, particularly in the form of
banditry in lawless areas in the country, continued to hinder
development of the CAR. Lord,s Resistance Army attacks in
Obo in southeast CAR (which could potentially recommence once
the rainy season ends) added to the concerns for the security
of the civilian population.

- - - - - - - - - - -
FOREIGN AID CONCERNS

STATE 00104183 002 OF 002


- - - - - - - - - - -


5. (SBU) Finally, Bozize stated that development and reform
activities were continuing in several areas, particularly
Security Sector Reform (SSR),as the CARG was working closely
with the European Union to implement a comprehensive SSR
national plan. Nevertheless, greater efforts needed to be
taken to reduce poverty, improve economic conditions, and
reduce insecurity. Bozize admitted that the CARG would need
to demonstrate greater commitments, but also required greater
support from the international financial institutions (IFIs).
According to him, while the Government lacks the political
capacity to reduce corruption and improve transparency, it is
prepared to tackle these issues. However, donors needed to
expedite the disbursement of funds to support development
efforts in the country. The President cited specific delays
in the disbursement of EU assistance, which postponed the
implementation of road construction projects. Bozize asked
for USG support in urging the International Monetary Fund and
other donors to more promptly disburse resources for
government initiatives. DAS Swan noted that the Department
was finalizing the spending plan for two million dollars in
foreign assistance for the CAR; Bozize expressed his
appreciation for the USG initiatives, and indicated an
interest in learning more about the assistance programs from
Ambassador Cook.
RICE