Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09GABORONE665
2009-08-20 16:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Gaborone
Cable title:  

A SMART POWER SUCCESS STORY IN AFRICA -- THE CASE

Tags:  PREL PGOV SENV MASS ETRD KHIV EAID MARR EINV 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC
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RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
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RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 GABORONE 000665 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR S/P - PHIPPS
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAVIN
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV SENV MASS ETRD KHIV EAID MARR EINV
ASEC, SNEV, BC
SUBJECT: A SMART POWER SUCCESS STORY IN AFRICA -- THE CASE
OF BOTSWANA

Classified By: Ambassador Stephen J. Nolan;
Reason: 1.4 (B,D)

-------
Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 GABORONE 000665

SIPDIS

STATE FOR S/P - PHIPPS
NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR GAVIN
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV SENV MASS ETRD KHIV EAID MARR EINV
ASEC, SNEV, BC
SUBJECT: A SMART POWER SUCCESS STORY IN AFRICA -- THE CASE
OF BOTSWANA

Classified By: Ambassador Stephen J. Nolan;
Reason: 1.4 (B,D)

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) The U.S.-Botswana partnership is a model for what
smart power could achieve in Africa. Over four decades,
Botswana has invested in its people, promoted independent
institutions, and trained and deployed a civilian-controlled
military for national development priorities. We have
multiplied the reach and impact of official USG assistance by
encouraging partnerships between Botswana and U.S.
foundations, leading U.S. universities, NGOs, and the private
sector, and helped to convene regional actors to address
complex challenges. To take public health as an example, the
results of this collaboration are remarkable: over 80 percent
of Batswana who require HIV treatment are receiving it and 96
percent of babies born to HIV-infected women are free of the
virus. In other areas -- democratic stability and rule of
law, economic management, and environmental protection -- we
are following the same inclusive smart power approach with
positive results in Botswana and throughout the sub-Saharan
region. End summary.


2. (C) This is the first in a series of cables that will
address the strategic value of the U.S.-Botswana partnership.
Subsequent messages will focus in more detail on the
thematic areas outlined below, on the prospects for a
"coalition for change" of like-minded countries within the
Southern African Development Community (SADC),and offer
suggestions for increased U.S.-Botswana engagement.

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Facilitating Public Health Cooperation

--------------


3. (SBU) Our partnership with the GOB on PEPFAR works
because the GOB has upheld its side of the partnership
bargain, spending an estimated USD 754 million of Botswana
government funds on HIV/AIDS since 2005. In turn, we have
invested some USD 390 million since 2005 to support them,
implemented through Peace Corps, CDC, USAID, DOD, and the
State Department. The strong USG-GOB partnership has
encouraged Harvard, Baylor, Johns Hopkins, and the University
of Pennsylvania to join us, providing the GOB management and
clinical experience, knowledge, and financial backing. The
universities also cooperate not only with the GOB but also
with the Bill and Melinda Gates, Merck, and Clinton
foundations, all of whom are active here. The World Bank and
Global Fund lend essential multilateral dimensions and
expertise to the fight. The results are astounding: the GOB
has virtually eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV;
over 80 percent of Batswana who need anti-retroviral therapy
get it; and new HIV infections appear to be slowing. The
struggle remains intense because 24 percent of Batswana are
HIV positive and 131,000 people are on therapy, illustrating
the power of partners working towards a common strategic
objective.
-------------- --------------
Exporting Democratic Stability and the Rule of Law
-------------- --------------


4. (C) Our security cooperation with the GOB promotes
Botswana's long-standing civilian control of the military and
its deployment to national development tasks. Over 90
percent of the BDF's senior leadership are U.S.-trained
through IMET. The BDF responds to civilian direction and
trains to combat environmental degradation (primarily
poaching),respond to disasters, and fight wildfires. The
BDF has now developed strong ties to smaller SADC states like
Lesotho and Swaziland, whose soldiers it now routinely
trains. Botswana's partnership with the North Carolina

GABORONE 00000665 002 OF 003


National Guard since 2008 has enriched the most active
military-to-military relationship within the Africa Command
and fostered additional civilian linkages, including on
tourism, education, and disaster response. We also leverage
USG security assistance through our partnership with the GOB
in the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) outside
Gaborone, where the USG trains law enforcement personnel from
29 African countries. Adding to the regional impact of our
rule of law collaboration, the International Broadcasting
Bureau, based in Selebi-Phikwe, transmits VOA broadcasts on
key policy issues throughout the continent.

--------------
Sound Economic Management
--------------


5. (SBU) The GOB's success over 40 years in managing
significant diamond wealth and investing in its country and
its people has attracted just praise. A combination of
correct and consistent long-term policies, independent
institutions, and strong executive leadership through several
presidencies is the crux of the diamond success story. A GOB
joint venture with DeBeers ensured considerable diamond
revenues flowed to GOB coffers, the independent Bank of
Botswana invested the proceeds, and the GOB drew on them to
invest in people, education, and infrastructure. The USG is
providing a USD 250 million OPIC loan guaranty to help create
a diamond cutting and polishing industry in Botswana, which
should ensure that more of the value of the resource stays
here instead of transferring overseas, and promote highly
skilled jobs for locals. Outside of the diamond realm, EX-IM
and USTDA are considering support for power projects that
could help make Botswana a net energy exporter. The Mission
also hosts the USAID-funded "Trade Hub" for Southern Africa
to help SADC convene regional experts and facilitate regional
economic integration. The private and not-for-profit sectors
are responding to this climate: a private not-for-profit
hospital with U.S. (Operating Rooms International and
Vanderbilt University) and local insurance partners will open
here in November.

--------------
Protecting the Natural Heritage
--------------


6. (SBU) Botswana is a semi-arid country that values water
conservation; through USAID, we are helping Botswana to
partner with its neighbors on sustainable trans-boundary
water management in the Okavango and Zambezi river basins.
Botswana was the first African country to qualify for
Tropical Forest Conservation Act benefits. In 2006, our
governments signed an agreement which combines USD 7 million
in debt relief with USD 8.3 million for conservation of
Botswana's forests, to be administered through a locally
created trust fund, overseen by a Board with representatives
from the USG and GOB. Botswana has chosen a high-cost,
low-volume tourism strategy to allow tourists to experience
the country's beauty without destroying it. Public education
and awareness activities are being undertaken by the GOB and
by private environmental organizations, and in the last
decade there has been an increase in community participation
in natural resource management. Symbolizing the country's
commitment to the environment, Botswana's President Ian Khama
serves on the board of the leading environmental NGO
Conservation International, based in the United States, and
plays an active role in its deliberations.

--------------
Taking the Partnership to the Next Level
--------------


7. (C) Botswana is a model for how the USG can use smart
power in Africa with genuine partners to promote
collaboration, leverage official USG resources, and achieve

GABORONE 00000665 003 OF 003


common goals. Mission Gaborone's operational goals going
forward include:

--Promoting a more pragmatic and operationally relevant role
for SADC in addressing regional challenges.

--Ensuring our relationship with the GOB's Department of
Intelligence and Security strengthens our understanding of
regional dynamics.

--Strengthening our collaboration with the BDF, a military
engaged on health, environmental, and human security issues
to the benefit of its country and peace in the region,
including by working with the North Carolina National Guard
State partnership program.

--Leveraging existing and new public-private health care
partnerships, including through the North Carolina National
Guard State Partnership program, to assist the GOB meet its
strategic health objectives.
HAMILTON