LIBERIA: Ambassador's Introductory Call on Minister of

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MONROVIA 000083

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PINR LI
SUBJECT: LIBERIA: Ambassador's Introductory Call on Minister of
Planning and Economic Affairs

REF A) Monrovia 26 B) 07 Monrovia 612


1. (SBU) Summary: During a courtesy call by the Ambassador,
Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs (MPEA) Amarah Konneh, who
has been in office five months (ref B),thanked the USG for the
"quick win" of the MCC threshold program and described his plans to
take on the challenges of a historically moribund ministry. He is
introducing development officers for each county to better
coordinate the GOL's poverty reduction strategies and is working to
bring progress to the rule of law sector of the government. End
summary.


2. (SBU) Konneh has focused the MPEA on monitoring the effectiveness
of the GOL's Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS). Disdaining vague
evaluations, such as "off track," for PRS deliverables, he is
developing measurable indicators on whether poverty is being reduced
nationwide. In addition to his PRS monitoring role, Konneh is the
GOL lead in shepherding Liberia's Millennium Challenge Corporation
Threshold Program, a role he embraces with gusto. Konneh said he
appreciated the Ambassador's confidence in his abilities, and had
taken her support as a challenge to rebuild the Ministry of
Planning. Noting it had been years since MPEA had chalked up a
success of any kind, he said announcement of the MCC Threshold
program had invigorated his staff, and they were committed to
working closely with the USG and other partners on the Poverty
Reduction Strategy. (Note: The GOL plans to incorporate MPEA into
the Ministry of Finance, with Konneh's cooperation, but it will be
some time before the legislative climate permits the consolidation.
End note.)


3. (SBU) Konneh and the Ambassador discussed issues related to
development: how to increase GOL "ownership" of policies, how to
manage expectations, and how to rebuild the technical capabilities
of a woefully under-educated and poorly-compensated civil service.
The Ambassador noted that it is much easier for the USG to support
ministries with good strategic plans, and encouraged Konneh's plans
to improve that capacity among his colleagues.

Closer Monitoring of County Development
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4. (SBU) Konneh has brought visible energy to MPEA. There are new
renovations underway throughout the building, including a computer
lab where MPEA staff are being trained to do the monitoring and
evaluation he envisions. MPEA is one of the few ministries that has
grown, increasing to 154 employees, up from 135. Konneh has added
County Development Officers, just now being trained and about to be
deployed around the country. He described their role as serving as
secretariats for the troubled County Development Committees (CDCs),
and they are tasked to coordinate closely with each county's
Superintendent and legislative caucus. That relationship has been
fraught, as executive and legislative branch officials wrangle for
their share of the tempting pot of county development funds.


5. (SBU) The MPEA officers are to provide first-hand monitoring of
development projects in each county, reporting problems and progress
to the CDCs and through MPEA to guide decisions by the Liberia
Reconstruction and Development Committee that overseas PRS
implementation. The MPEA officers, Konneh said, are better-paid
than their county counterparts, but have been instructed to build
coalitions, develop rapport with county officials, and not to act as
if they are part of an elite. A January 22 dinner hosted by the
Minister of Internal Affairs, who oversees the county
superintendents, was intended to introduce the superintendents to
the new MPEA development officers and hopefully engender a collegial
spirit of cooperation.

Rule of Law Pillar Improving
--------------


6. (SBU) In the context of improving PRS implementation, Konneh has
assumed leadership of the fractiously uncooperative and ineffective
Rule of Law pillar (ref A),and is even showing progress in that
politically volatile minefield. (Note: His most significant
achievement has been encouraging GOL agencies that had ignored the
Pillar entirely, such as the Governance Commission, the Civil
Service Agency, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to regularly
present progress on their deliverables at Pillar meetings. End
note.)

Guinea is of concern
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7. (SBU) In response to Konneh's question, the Ambassador said the
USG is watching Guinea very closely, that we support the ECOWAS
position, and that Africans and their governments have to make it
very clear that the time for coups is over.

Coming to terms with the past
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8. (SBU) Konneh, a Mandingo and a Muslim, described his recent trip
back to his village in Gbarpolu County, his first since leaving, at
the age of 18, on January 18, 1990. He had visited the bridge where
his father was killed, and been able to talk to some of the
eyewitnesses. (Comment: We had heard reports that Konneh witnessed
the murder of his father and brothers, but from his account it
sounded as if he had not been present. End comment.) He said the
rebel "generals" who instigated the violence, long-time friends and
neighbors, have returned to farming, are wracked by remorse, and
have been forgiven by the villagers.

THOMAS-GREENFIELD