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

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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.


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