Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09YAOUNDE1007
2009-11-25 15:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Yaounde
Cable title:  

PRESIDENT BIYA'S DEMARCHE TO AMBASSADOR: FRIENDS

Tags:  CM PGOV PINR PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8788
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHYD #1007/01 3291532
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 251532Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0484
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 YAOUNDE 001007 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2019
TAGS: CM PGOV PINR PREL
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT BIYA'S DEMARCHE TO AMBASSADOR: FRIENDS
DON'T CRITICIZE

REF: A. YAOUNDE 175

B. YAOUNDE 971

Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Scott Ticknor for reasons 1.4 (d) and (e)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 YAOUNDE 001007

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2019
TAGS: CM PGOV PINR PREL
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT BIYA'S DEMARCHE TO AMBASSADOR: FRIENDS
DON'T CRITICIZE

REF: A. YAOUNDE 175

B. YAOUNDE 971

Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Scott Ticknor for reasons 1.4 (d) and (e)


1. (C) Summary: On November 25, Cameroonian Foreign
Minister Henri Eyebe Ayissi summoned Ambassador to his office
to read her a message which he said was from President Paul
Biya. The statement, written in French, affirmed that
diplomats should not interfere with Cameroon's internal
affairs, especially by publicly criticizing the Electoral
Commission (ELECAM). ELECAM was "irreversible" and would be
independent. U.S. assistance would be welcome. Biya's
message took note of the Foreign Minister's November 13
speech to the diplomatic corps, which also demanded that
diplomats not publicly criticize the government. Ambassador
emphasized the importance of free and fair elections in 2011.
We are trying to obtain a copy of Biya's message (Ayissi did
not provide us one). Para 8 suggests possible next steps
here and in Washington. End summary.

Defining our Friendship
--------------


2. (C) Biya's message began by affirming "the Department of
State had communicated that Cameroon is a friendly country."
Cameroon was sensitive to diplomatic statements made to the
domestic and international media, noting "we want to avoid
manipulation of public opinion by diplomats." Cameroon was
in a delicate stage but there had been a misunderstanding of
the government's approach. Diplomats should not interfere
with internal affairs. "Cameroon C'est le Cameroon"
(Cameroon is Cameroon. Note: this is a common Cameroonian
saying. End note.) - it's not the U.S. or other African
states, the message went on, adding that its institutions and
"collective temperament" need to be accepted for what they
are. This was essential for internal peace and to abide by
the spirit of friendship between our countries.

With a Spotlight on ELECAM
--------------


3. (C) This approach applied in particular to ELECAM, the
message continued. It was important for the government
position to be understood and for diplomats to realize the
impact their statements on ELECAM had on peace and national
and international opinion. ELECAM was entering a

particularly sensitive, visible period heading into 2010.
The message offered three specific points on ELECAM:

-- ELECAM was created as part of a long electoral reform
process. ELECAM was created under an act of law; its
officials are named and functions determined - this is
"irreversible". ELECAM offices were being established around
the country "normally" and ELECAM was operating
"responsibly".

-- Friendly countries should keep opinions about ELECAM to
themselves and judge the institution on what it does. They
should not upset the process of creating ELECAM. The USG had
made declarations on ELECAM but should now observe
developments. USG logistical or other assistance to ELECAM
would be welcome.

-- The President had instructed that ELECAM be independent
and would monitor ELECAM to ensure this is the case. He
demanded that international partners stop making critical
declarations about the institution.

The November 13 Remarks
--------------


4. (C) The message made note of the Foreign Minister's
remarks during a November 13 speech at an event for the dip
corps to honor "diplomatic friendship and solidarity".
(Note: During this event, which Ambassador attended, the
Foreign Minister delivered a similar message as this
demarche, demanding that the diplomatic corps refrain from
commenting on Cameroon's internal affairs. The speech came
after the outgoing European Union Ambassador blasted the
government in a press conference, criticizing the composition
of ELECAM, the failure to release the 2005 census, and poor
governance. End note.) The President's message said that
the November 13 message was not aimed specifically at the
United States but at the whole diplomatic corps; nonetheless,
the U.S. had made critical public comments before. "In the
interest of peace and friendship," foreign governments needed
to keep within diplomatic norms of communication.
Ambassador's Response

YAOUNDE 00001007 002 OF 002


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


5. (SBU) Ambassador said we would take note of this message
but that we have our point of view and want to share it at
times. She stressed the importance we place on democratic
and transparent elections in 2011.

Comment
--------------


6. (C) The Foreign Minister, who in the past has delivered
tough messages with bluster and legalistic flair, this time
appeared uncomfortable. He read from the text with very
little eye contact and seemed somewhat flustered when
Ambassador later raised other obviously important
international issues such as the Iran nuclear program and the
Copenhagen summit. He ended the meeting abruptly. When
Ambassador took media questions afterwards, the one question
from journalists was "did you discuss elections?" - an
obviously planted question since there was no particular
reason to be raising elections with the minister at this time.


7. (C) This demarche was odd on many levels. It is the
first time President Biya has delivered a formal message to
the Ambassador. We would not be surprised if similar
messages are being delivered to other Ambassadors in a
full-court effort to stifle diplomatic criticism, following
similar efforts when the Foreign Minister lectured the entire
dip corps about ELECAM on February 19 (ref A) and November

13. This may reflect the lingering sting of the EU
Ambassador's criticism. (Ambassador Garvey has been publicly
critical in the past over the composition of the commission,
which is largely composed of CPDM insiders. She has not made
any statements on this matter in recent months.) It may also
portend some new political move from Biya, such as advancing
elections, although Ayissi assured Ambassador that
presidential elections would be in 2011.


8. (C) In ref B, post argued for rethinking our
relationship with Cameroon, with a harder hitting approach
supported by Washington. We will consult with other
Ambassadors here to see how widely Biya's message was
delivered and whether there is scope for some kind of joint
response. We will also reach out to some contacts within the
Presidency for insights into this demarche. Post suggests
that, as the Department considers the engagement recommended
in ref B, our concerns about this presidential message and
about the need for neutrality in ELECAM be included among the
key points.
GARVEY