EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN CAMEROON ARGUES FOR

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 000036 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT PASS AF/C E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CM EC PGOV PHUM PREL SUBJECT: EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN CAMEROON ARGUES FOR FREEZING SUPPORT TO ELECAM REF: A. YAOUNDE 28 ¶B. YAOUNDE 24 ¶C. 08 YAOUNDE 1257 ¶1. (SBU) European Commission Ambassadors based in Cameroon decided in a January 13 meeting to seek a freeze of support to the recently created, seriously flawed Electoral Commission ELECAM (reftels). According to Claude Bochu, Political Advisor to the European Commission in Cameroon, the European Ambassadors decided to suggest to their headquarters that the EC indefinitely freeze preparations to initiate a 2-3 million Euro program earmarked from the European Development Fund to support ELECAM in 2010. To go forward, this program needs approval by March 2009, he said. The EC will wait to see how ELECAM evolves (for example, who they recruit for the hundreds of jobs they will need filled) before considering lifting this freeze. In addition, the Ambassadors decided not to move forward with four planned prepatory studies for ELECAM valued at 135,000 Euros (and making up a large percentage of the UN program's ELECAM budget),Bochu said, noting that two other such studies have already been completed. ¶2. (SBU) Bochu was confident the European capitals would support these moves, saying that many of their initial reactions were even more radical. The January 13 decision has not yet been made public, Bochu said, but he thought the EC might be in a position to comment publicly very soon. It might take up to ten days for an agreed European Union position, he thought. ¶3. (SBU) The EC and Commonwealth rep will likely inform Prime Minister Inoni about this decision in a planned meeting the Ambassador will also attend (representing the 8 plus 6 group) on January 15. This will no doubt get the PM's attention, although we question his ability to influence ELECAM decisions. Ambassador will also discuss ELECAM in a scheduled meeting with the Secretary General at the Presidency on January 16. Bochu did not have big expectations that the GRC would change their ELECAM plans as a result of the EC decision. However, the move makes it more likely we will see the Commonwealth and EU take a firm position on this issue, which could prove to be the biggest rebuke of the Biya regime by the international community in recent years. GARVEY