KINSHASA NEWSPAPERS GIVE AMPLE COVERAGE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000293 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O.12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPAO CG SUBJECT: KINSHASA NEWSPAPERS GIVE AMPLE COVERAGE TO PRESS ROUNDTABLE ON ECONOMIC CRISIS Sensitive but Unclassified ¶1. Summary: On March 17 USAID Mission Director Stephen Haykin and Economic Counselor Elizabeth Jaffee appeared at a press roundtable on the global economic situation. They explained the causes and the domestic and international consequences of the crisis to a dozen local Congolese print and broadcast journalists. The impact of the crisis on U.S. aid to the DRC and the status and prospects of U.S.-DRC bilateral relations were also discussed. Kinshasa's main newspapers devoted considerable space to this press event. End summary. ¶2. U.S. Embassy Kinshasa held the second in an ongoing series of monthly informal press roundtables for local Congolese journalists on March 17. This press conference was on the subject of the global economic situation and U.S. aid to the DRC. Journalists, representing a dozen local print and broadcast media, attended; the event received strong coverage in the local Kinshasa press. ¶3. In its March 18 issue Le Potentiel (independent newspaper), published an article entitled, "The U.S. Will Honor Commitment to Provide Development Aid Despite Global Economic Crisis." The article cites Ms. Jaffee as saying that the USG will not default on its commitment to provide financial support for the development of the DRC regardless of the financial crisis. Moreover, Ms. Jaffee said, the U.S. is working with other bilateral and multilateral donors to help the Congo along the path to sustainable development. She noted that the current global economic downturn requires a coordinated global response. ¶4. In its March 18 issue, L'Avenir (pro-government newspaper),ran an article with the headline "The U.S. Calls for International Cooperation to Address the Economic Crisis." The article reports that Haykin and Jaffee said the USG is working with developed and developing countries to come up with a joint solution to the crisis, as a global consensus is needed to restructure international institutions. Regarding the economic situation in the DRC, the two diplomats noted that the DRC's total trade with the U.S. is $300 million and that U.S. investment targets the mining sector. They also mentioned that the current slowdown in Katanga's mining activities is due to the drop in global raw materials prices, a trend that should be reversed by global economic recovery. The DRC's prime economic objective is to satisfy requirements for the IMF's the Highly Indebted Poor Countries. ¶5. On March 19, La Reference Plus (independent newspaper) published article titled, "U.S. Aid Will Continue." The article cites Haykin and Jaffee as saying that the level of U.S. aid to the DRC is likely to remain unchanged during the current fiscal year. They reaffirmed U.S. commitment to supporting the DRC's political and economic institutions in cooperation with other partners. They also advised the DRC authorities to improve the business and trade climates in the country, while conforming to directives as set forth by international trade organizations. ¶6. On March 20, L'Observateur (pro-government newspaper) published an article entitled, "The U.S. Strengthens Aid to the DRC Despite International Financial Crisis." The article misquoted USAID Mission Director Stephen Haykin as saying that that USG is committed to supporting the DRC's mining sector. Haykin stressed that U.S. development aid to the Congo during the current fiscal year will not be affected by the economic crisis. He said that the USG has allocated $50 million for the DRC health sector, of which $15 million was allocated to fight HIV/AIDS, while $12 million was allocated to support the agricultural sector. Haykin emphasized that the U.S. provided $700 million in foreign and military assistance across the DRC last year, including support to the MONUC peacekeeping operation, contributions to multilateral institutions and bilateral assistance. He also explained that the USG actively supports programs geared toward reducing poverty and stimulating growth in the Congo. ¶7. Comment: The level of U.S. development assistance to the Congo and other forms of U.S. financial contributions is little known in the DRC. Furthermore, many journalists appear to have a weak knowledge basis regarding international economics and other important issues. Using the mechanism of the informal press roundtable, Embassy Kinshasa provided a forum to articulate U.S. commitment to supporting the DRC's development. The two speakers provided impactful information and figures on current U.S. aid to the DRC, while stressing that the global economic crisis will not have an immediate impact on this aid. Public Affairs is concerned about misquotes and misinformation, and to this end will provide more written materials for journalists at upcoming conferences. This discussion with Congolese journalists is the second in a series KINSHASA 00000293 002 OF 002 of press events that will highlight USG activities in the Congo. Last month's event focused on event in the eastern part of the country. The topic next month will be military cooperation. End comment. GARVELINK