Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10LIBREVILLE45
2010-02-02 10:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Libreville
Cable title:  

GABON: PLEASED WITH PROGRESS ON CLIMATE CHANGE,

Tags:  EAID SENV PGOV KSCA PREL UNEP GB 
pdf how-to read a cable
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ZNY CCCCC ZZH
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FM AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1653
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUEHAR/AMEMBASSY ACCRA 0346
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LIBREVILLE 000045 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR A/C FOR LISA KORTE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2020
TAGS: EAID SENV PGOV KSCA PREL UNEP GB
SUBJECT: GABON: PLEASED WITH PROGRESS ON CLIMATE CHANGE,
WILL ASSOCIATE WITH COPENHAGEN ACCORD

Classified By: CDA Kathleen FitzGibbon for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LIBREVILLE 000045

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR A/C FOR LISA KORTE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2020
TAGS: EAID SENV PGOV KSCA PREL UNEP GB
SUBJECT: GABON: PLEASED WITH PROGRESS ON CLIMATE CHANGE,
WILL ASSOCIATE WITH COPENHAGEN ACCORD

Classified By: CDA Kathleen FitzGibbon for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY. Gabon was one of the 28 countries that
participated in the intensive negotiating sessions at the
U.N. Conference on Climate Change and will associate with the
Copenhagen Accord. Lee White, the Director of Gabon's
National Parks and President Ali Bongo Ondimba's special
advisor on climate change, said that the Gabonese do not see
Copenhagen Accord as a failure, but instead characterized
the Copenhagen summit as a "step forward." The Gabonese
Government, which participated in the drafting of the accord,
believes Gabon can play a constructive role in continuing
climate change discussions, striking a balance between other
African states and the developed world. END SUMMARY.

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COP 15
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2. (C) Lee White, the Director of Gabon's National Parks and
Special Advisor on Climate Change to President Ali Bongo
Ondimba, provided a read-out of Gabon's views on the
Copenhagen summit on January 29. White stated that Gabon
refused to take a negative view of Copenhagen. President
Bongo Ondimba, who was directly involved in the negotiations,
viewed the summit as a necessary step towards a workable and
comprehensive climate change agreement.

3. (C) The Gabonese also view the summit as a diplomatic
success in terms of raising Gabon's profile on climate change
issues. President Bongo Ondimba and other Central African
heads of State met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on
December 16 prior to the summit. At Copenhagen, Bongo
Ondimba worked with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown,
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and "the Norwegians."
Rudd helped get Gabon into the final negotiating session
despite not being listed as one of the 25 participants.
White said that this gave Gabon the opportunity to
demonstrate that it is a willing and intelligent partner on
climate change discussions.

4. (C) White said that the Gabonese focused their efforts on

the G-77 discussions. He described Denmark, Saudi Arabia,
China, and India as playing obstructionist roles in the
talks. The Chinese, according to White, went so far as leave
the G-77 discussions and instructing "a mid-level functionary
to simply say no to everything." President Bongo Ondimba
became so frustrated with the Chinese role that he stood up
and "called the Chinese out." White said that the Danish had
managed the event "very poorly," and appeared uninterested in
facilitating an agreement.

5. (U) White pointed out that Gabon is leading Africa in
initiating efforts to combat climate change. The government
has obligated 10 million euros in debt relief received from
France to combat climate change, beginning with carbon
mapping. Gabon, with France and Brazil as partners, is
establishing a new, regional Center of Excellence on climate
issues. France is also providing 5 million euros and spot
satellite imagery to begin terrain and climate mapping.
Brazil is providing $1 million in equipment and software as
well as free access to imagery. Japan has joined the effort
with at $12 million contribution. The establishment of a
satellite station in Gabon to monitor climate change remains
a key objective.

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National Parks
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6. (C) On the national level, White is also charged with
improving status of the extensive national park system in
Gabon. While neglected over the years, White said that
efforts to reform the bureaucracy supporting the parks began
in earnest in mid-January. Training for mid-level managers
is his current priority. The legal framework to protect the
parks is in place, but the dedicated personnel needed to
enforce those laws are sorely needed. He noted that he only
has one conservationist per park to cover an area that is 40
percent of Gabon's total area. He said that he just finished
investigating an oil well that was illegally drilled in a
national park without permission. He anticipates using much
of the 2010 budget to hire dedicated personnel to provide
environmental protection, eco-tourism assistance, and
surveillance of the parks resources. White and the technical
director for the parks, Michael Fay, hosted U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service and U.S. Forestry officials in mid-January.
The visiting U.S. team agreed with White and Fay that
assistance efforts need to be geared toward helping the
national parks function on a daily basis, including
monitoring capability, in order to reach ultimate

LIBREVILLE 00000045 002 OF 002


environmental protection goals. Currently, USAID is
providing $3.3 million through its Central African Regional
Environmental program to help stop the degradation of Gabon's
vast forests.

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COMMENT
--------------


7. (C) Gabon views itself as an important player on climate
change and environmental issues. President Bongo Ondimba is
on the record saying that he wants to play a constructive
leadership role, including with other African countries.
Gabon has had an increasingly tense relationship with China,
whose companies continue to exploit Gabonese forest, marine,
and animal resources, much of it illegally or through deals
with previous administration officials. President Bongo
Ondimba's commitment to rescue Gabon's national parks is
strong and we can expect his continued engagement on
environmental issues at home and internationally. END
COMMENT.
REDDICK