RODRIGUES--LOW ON WATER, EMPLOYMENT, AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT LOUIS 000089 SENSITIVE SIPDIS NAIROBI FOR KIRSTEN BAUMANN, REDSO/ESA, AND RFMC JOHANNESBURG FOR RCO MICHAEL VEASY AF/EPS FOR TLDAVIDSON CA/OCS FOR RUTH BRANSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC AFIN EAID ECON EGOV MP SUBJECT: RODRIGUES--LOW ON WATER, EMPLOYMENT, AND MOTIVATION-APPRECIATES U.S. HELP REF: (A) 2008 Port Louis 097 (B) 2008 Port Louis 368 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Conoff traveled to Rodrigues to provide consular services to American citizens, meet with the Chief Commissioner, and view progress on a community project partly funded by an Embassy Self-Help Grant. Slow going on the construction side of the community project, as well as high unemployment and environmental concerns, were the main topics covered in various discussions. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Rodrigues, an island dependency of Mauritius, sits 560 km east of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, putting it 2500 km from continental Africa, 3500 km from India, and 5000 km from Antarctica. It measures 8 miles by 11 miles and has an estimated population of around 40,000, mainly Catholic Creoles. Rodrigues suffers from high unemployment and tough environmental conditions, depending mainly on tourism, agriculture, and handicrafts for its economy. On the ferry service, available three times a month, it takes a day on the water to get from Mauritius to Rodrigues. Depending on the season, there are between one and five flights a day between the two islands. Currently, there are two known American citizens living on the island. ¶3. (U) Conoff provided American citizen services on March 3, taking a passport application and discussing federal benefits procedures. One of the U.S. citizens in Rodrigues, resident on the island for around six years, serves as the head of the Rodrigues branch of the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation and as the warden for the island. Conoff took the opportunity to discuss warden responsibilities and provide her with updated contact lists and privacy act information. The other U.S. citizen owns a bed and breakfast and has been in Rodrigues for ten years. ¶4. (U) On March 3, Conoff visited the Creve Coeur Village Community Center, a project run by the Commite Villageois Creve Coeur (Creve Coeur Villager Committee) and partially funded by a Self-Help Grant from the Embassy. Mr. Jean Maxwell Andre, head of the committee, gave Conoff a tour of the site, still under heavy construction, and showed the items purchased with the Self-Help Grant. Mr. Andre and several committee members lamented the slow speed at which construction was occurring on the building itself, which is being funded by the Government of Rodrigues. The items paid for by the Self-Help Grant are waiting in a locked room for when the building is completed. The Committee members were appreciative of the Embassy's support and proud of the work they have been doing. ¶5. (SBU) Conoff met with Chief Commissioner Johnson Roussety on March 4 and discussed the Creve Coeur project, of which Roussety was already aware. When Conoff mentioned the villagers' concerns that the construction was moving very slowly, Roussety acknowledged the issue and blamed it on government workers. He said that if it were possible to hire contractors, the work would have been much further along. Roussety then promised to visit the site himself and to do what he could to move the work along. ¶6. (U) The issue of environmental challenges came up at the meetings with the Creve Coeur committee, with Roussety, and with the U.S. citizen residents. Roussety mentioned how Rodrigues has been one of the most active in implementing aspects of the Maurice Ile Durable (Resilient Mauritius) project put forth by the Prime Minister's Office (see refs A and B),stating that many Rodrigans have taken advantage of a program through which the government will subsidize solar panels for home use. Andre, Roussety, and both U.S. citizens mentioned that water was the biggest issue for the island--including lost rainwater and drought. Roussety said that a desalination plant was planned in the Creve Coeur area as one measure for combating this problem. ¶7. (U) Roussety also asked during his meeting about the possibility of Rodrigans going to the United States for study. Conoff discussed the student visa process and mentioned the Public Affairs Office's Educational Advisor Office as a possible resource. He reiterated his appreciation for the good working relationship shared by Rodrigues and the U.S. Embassy and his hope for further interaction. ¶8. (SBU) Comment. Rodrigues is renowned for its natural beauty and environmental take on life. Without further resources, however, the island will have difficulties in providing for basic needs, such as fresh water. Unemployment remains high and the motivation for higher education is lacking as many Rodrigans see few job prospects for college graduates and ask "What's the point?" Post believes that projects like the Creve Coeur Community Center, which affects the lives of real people, is having a tangible, positive public outreach effect in Rodrigues and with some support can be a true PORT LOUIS 00000089 002 OF 002 success. The same Creve Coeur Village Committee has just been awarded a grant to build new water towers to keep emergency reserves of water for times of drought. Post believes small projects such as these have won friends for the U.S. and will also make a significant impact on the future of Rodrigues. End Comment. BLASER