CAMEROON: DISCUSSION WITH BIYA'S CHIEF OF STAFF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 YAOUNDE 000712

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2018
TAGS: AORC CM ECON KCOR MARR PGOV PINR
SUBJECT: CAMEROON: DISCUSSION WITH BIYA'S CHIEF OF STAFF

Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Scott Ticknor for reasons 1.4 (d) and (e)
.


1. (C) Summary: On July 10, Pol/Econ Chief met with
President Paul Biya's Director of Civil Cabinet (Chief of
Staff) Jean-Baptiste Beleoken, who is in charge of managing
the president's private affairs, protocol, and scheduling.
Beleoken was focused on economics and said that this would be
the President's focus if Bakassi remains calm. He conceded
corruption was rampant but reaffirmed Biya's commitment to
tackling it. Biya would probably attend the UNGA and was
recently in Switzerland for health check-ups, he said. End
summary.

The Economy
--------------


2. (C) Beleoken was keenly focused on the economy,
including plans to build a deep water port at Kribi and
Limbe. He hoped the U.S. would help revive Cameroon's
moribund airline sector. He complained that there were too
many nonperformers in the Cabinet, alluding to rumors of a
Cabinet shuffle (we've heard these rumors for many months)
and suggesting that a shuffle come as part of the President's
effort to revamp the economy. He also suggested that the
President's recent decision to postpone the creation of
Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) was related to the timing of a
possible ministerial shake-up. He opined that the President
moves "slowly, but in the right direction".

Bakassi
--------------


3. (C) Beleoken also depicted the Bakassi situation in
economic terms, saying that now that the Bakassi dispute was
resolved, Biya could afford to focus on the economy. This
focus was dependent on stability in Bakassi, he added.
Cameroon was counting on the United States to help with
security on the Peninsula. Peace and stability were
essential, he said, expressing appreciation for General
Ward's 2007 visit with President Biya. He hoped for
increased focus on Gulf of Guinea maritime security.

Corruption
--------------


4. (C) Pol/Econ Chief outlined our active maritime domain
cooperation and reinforced the priority need to focus on
economic growth and the investment climate. Pol/Econ Chief
said addressing governance issues would be key. Beleoken
hoped the USG did not doubt the will of the President to
fight corruption. He conceded that if the President were
more aggressive on corruption "he would have to fire the
whole Cabinet". He blamed corruption on foreigners;
Cameroonians were not so corrupt in the old days, he said.


5. (C) Pol/Econ Chief told him we believe Biya has the
will to fight corruption and appreciate recent high level
corruption-related arrests; however, there remain major
challenges and we have concerns about the lack of
coordination among GRC anti-corruption efforts, especially
between the Minister of Justice and ANIF.

Biya's Travels: UNGA and Otherwise
--------------


6. (C) President Biya "probably" will go to the UNGA in the
Fall because it will be the last such meeting for President
Bush. Biya plans to travel to Bakassi and Darak after the
rainy season (Decemberish). When asked about Biya's recent
trip to Switzerland, Beleoken said it was not a vacation but
a chance for the President to do medical check-ups. (In
response to a request to meet the visiting President of U.S.
energy company AES, Beleoken said the President will do it if
he is in town and not ill).

Comment
--------------


7. (C) Beleoken was eager to open up on a wide range of
topics, making a point at the end to say that it was
important for diplomats to have as much information about the
reality of Cameroon as possible. His candor and willingness
to engage at length is unlike others in the presidency, who
can be elliptical and guarded. Beleoken is well informed and
in a position to speak with authority about the president's

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thinking on issues. His focus on economics is mirrored by
the Prime Minister's plans to lead a high-level delegation to
the AGOA Forum. Other contacts in the presidency also seem
to want to talk about the economy these days. While the
interest is well-placed, so far the GRC has lacked the vision
or implementation skills to jump-start greater economic
growth. If Biya's planned trip to Bakassi takes place, it
should help demonstrate GRC commitment to stability and
development in the area. The highest level GRC official to
visit Bakassi has been the Minister of Youth; Biya has not
traveled in-country outside of Central and South Provinces
since 2004.











GARVEY