Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09YAOUNDE87
2009-01-27 16:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Yaounde
Cable title:
CAMEROON'S PM SHRUGS OFF CRITICISM OF ELECAM
how-toVZCZCXRO6192 PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHYD #0087 0271653 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 271653Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9634 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY 0287 RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L YAOUNDE 000087
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/27/2019
TAGS: CM PGOV PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: CAMEROON'S PM SHRUGS OFF CRITICISM OF ELECAM
REF: YAOUNDE 72
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 YAOUNDE 000087
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/27/2019
TAGS: CM PGOV PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: CAMEROON'S PM SHRUGS OFF CRITICISM OF ELECAM
REF: YAOUNDE 72
Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Scott Ticknor for reasons 1.4 (d) and (e)
.
1. (C) On January 27, Ambassador met with Prime Minister
Iphriam Inoni to discuss Cameroon's new Electoral Commission,
Elections Cameroon (ELECAM). Ambassador clarified that
unlike in her January 15 conversation with him (reftel),this
time she was representing USG views and not coming in her
capacity as the head of the 8 plus 6. After discussing
ELECAM with a wide range of contacts from civil society,
opposition and government, the Ambassador said it seemed
clear that ELECAM does not have the trust of the Cameroonian
people needed to run a credible election. As a result, she
would not attend the swearing in of new ELECAM members
scheduled for January 29.
2. (C) Inoni responded calmly that he respected the U.S.
opinion and knew we were a good friend of Cameroon, adding
"you have to do what you have to do." Ambassador pressed
that the burden was now on the government to show that ELECAM
can run a free and fair election and that, until this is
done, we would not support ELECAM financially or in public
remarks. Inoni said he understood and that "the government
has a big job now," agreeing that the government needed to
show that ELECAM can work and hoping that international
partners would give the Electoral Commission a chance. He
had seen a draft European Union statement on ELECAM which he
said he frankly expected to be more forceful. Inoni proposed
to chair a meeting with the 8 plus 6 Ambassadors and the
Foreign Minister within the next few days to further discuss
ELECAM.
3. (C) Comment: Inoni was surprisingly at ease with the
U.S. opposition to ELECAM. He obviously feels bound to
implement the President's selections for ELECAM but does not
appear interested in defending them. His reaction suggests
that a critical public statement about the ELECAM decision
will win us heightened credibility with the Cameroonian
public without overly damaging relations with the government,
which has come to expect us to speak forcefully against
government decisions that weaken democracy and good
governance.
GARVEY
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/27/2019
TAGS: CM PGOV PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: CAMEROON'S PM SHRUGS OFF CRITICISM OF ELECAM
REF: YAOUNDE 72
Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Scott Ticknor for reasons 1.4 (d) and (e)
.
1. (C) On January 27, Ambassador met with Prime Minister
Iphriam Inoni to discuss Cameroon's new Electoral Commission,
Elections Cameroon (ELECAM). Ambassador clarified that
unlike in her January 15 conversation with him (reftel),this
time she was representing USG views and not coming in her
capacity as the head of the 8 plus 6. After discussing
ELECAM with a wide range of contacts from civil society,
opposition and government, the Ambassador said it seemed
clear that ELECAM does not have the trust of the Cameroonian
people needed to run a credible election. As a result, she
would not attend the swearing in of new ELECAM members
scheduled for January 29.
2. (C) Inoni responded calmly that he respected the U.S.
opinion and knew we were a good friend of Cameroon, adding
"you have to do what you have to do." Ambassador pressed
that the burden was now on the government to show that ELECAM
can run a free and fair election and that, until this is
done, we would not support ELECAM financially or in public
remarks. Inoni said he understood and that "the government
has a big job now," agreeing that the government needed to
show that ELECAM can work and hoping that international
partners would give the Electoral Commission a chance. He
had seen a draft European Union statement on ELECAM which he
said he frankly expected to be more forceful. Inoni proposed
to chair a meeting with the 8 plus 6 Ambassadors and the
Foreign Minister within the next few days to further discuss
ELECAM.
3. (C) Comment: Inoni was surprisingly at ease with the
U.S. opposition to ELECAM. He obviously feels bound to
implement the President's selections for ELECAM but does not
appear interested in defending them. His reaction suggests
that a critical public statement about the ELECAM decision
will win us heightened credibility with the Cameroonian
public without overly damaging relations with the government,
which has come to expect us to speak forcefully against
government decisions that weaken democracy and good
governance.
GARVEY