VZCZCXRO7873
OO RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHFN #0597/01 2021600
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 211600Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0071
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000597 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/EPS 
DEPT ALSO FOR IO AND EB 
LONDON FOR POL - AFRICA WATCHER R. BELL 
PARIS FOR POL - AFRICA WATCHER 
USEU BRUSSELS FOR POL - AFRICA WATCHER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID ECON PGOV PREL SL
SUBJECT: WOLFOWITZ HAILS SIERRA LEONE'S PROGRESS 
 
¶1. (U) On the first visit ever by a World Bank President to 
Sierra Leone, Paul Wolfowitz hailed Sierra Leone as "one of 
the most successful post-conflict countries." Speaking to the 
press at the end of a July 20-21 trip to meet with the 
Government, civil society, and war amputees, and to visit the 
war crimes Special Court for Sierra Leone, Wolfowitz said 
that the World Bank rates Sierra Leone among the best 
performing post-conflict countries in Africa.  He added that 
"Sierra Leone is an example of Africa moving forward, and I 
congratulate you for it." 
 
¶2. (U) Wolfowitz noted three priority areas for further 
attention: 
-- Decentralization: Wolfowitz praised Sierra Leone for being 
one of the few countries to decentralize power from a 
centralized government. While calling this "an important 
beginning," he indicated that more commitment is needed for 
this initiative to succeed. 
-- Anti-Corruption: Noting that corruption was a major cause 
of the civil war, Wolfowitz praised Sierra Leone,s 
"ambitious" anti-corruption program, but cited the need to 
produce results. 
-- Private Sector: Wolfowitz cited the need for credits to 
grow small and medium businesses, emphasizing also that 
growth of these enterprises needs to be market-driven rather 
than government-driven. 
 
¶3. (U) During Q's and A's, he added: 
-- On HIV/AIDS: While personally unfamiliar with World Bank 
HIV/AIDS activities in Sierra Leone, Wolfowitz emphasized 
generally the need to increase awareness and reduce 
stigmatization.  He said that he was pleased to see many 
HIV/AIDS billboard messages around Freetown, and, noting the 
presence of the U.S. Ambassador, said that he assumed that 
the U.S. was active along with other donors.  (Note: The 
World Bank forced the removal of the National Aids 
Secretariat Director earlier this year for alleged 
 
SIPDIS 
malfeasance.  The USG funds a high profile DoD HIV/AIDS 
program for the Sierra Leone military. End Note.) 
-- World Bank Reform: Responding to criticism of the "one 
dollar/one vote" World Bank procedure, Wolfowitz said that 
nearly all key board decisions are unanimous and consistent 
with staff recommendations. 
-- On Privatization: Responding to a suggestion that public 
utilities, such as the poorly performing water company, 
should be privatized, Wolfowitz claimed that the World Bank 
does not impose solutions, but supports whatever will serve 
people best.  Quoting a Chinese proverb, he said, "It does 
not matter whether the cat is black or white, but whether it 
catches mice." 
-- On Amputees: Wolfowitz said that he visited the amputees 
because a Sierra Leonean taxi driver in Washington interested 
him in their plight.  He did not offer them assistance, he 
said, because he does not promise what he cannot deliver.  He 
emphasized that the amputees need long term attention, but he 
was not in a position to assess the costs and relative 
priority of the amputees, needs. 
-- On World Bank Commitment: Asked about the Improved 
Governance and Accountability Pact (IGAP) between the 
Government of Sierra Leone and the four donors giving direct 
budget support that was announced earlier in the week 
(septel), Wolfowitz said that as one of the signatories of 
the IGAP the World Bank is &very committed.8  In response 
to a follow-on question on possible World Bank funding to 
achieve Millennium Challenge Goals, Wolfowitz simply 
reiterated that the World Bank has "a strong commitment to 
Sierra Leone." 
-- On Public Expectations:  Wolfowitz said that he refrains 
from promising too much because development requires steady 
progress over an extended period.  While admitting that he 
was not familiar with the specifics of Sierra Leone's case, 
he observed that societal wounds do not heal overnight after 
a civil war.  He told Sierra Leoneans that "peace is your 
most valuable resource, more valuable than diamonds or oil," 
and urged the international community, therefore, to maintain 
their security commitments to Sierra Leone. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Comment:  Wolfowitz,s visit came just after the 
simultaneous visit of President of the African Development 
Bank (AfDB) Donald Kaberuka and UK Secretary of State for 
International Development Hilary Benn (MP) and their signing 
the IGAP.  While the Vice President Berewa, acting in the 
absence of President Kabbah, basked in the glow of this high 
level attention and praise, we do not have a read-out yet on 
pressure that may have been applied behind closed doors to 
improve the GoSL,s performance.  Berewa no doubt hopes that 
 
FREETOWN 00000597  002 OF 002 
 
 
the Wolfowitz visit will enhance his presidential prospects 
ahead of next year,s election.  The one sour note was a 
Wolfowitz call for justice in the case of a journalist who 
died shortly after being assaulted by his landlord, a Member 
of Parliament, that drew a private rejoinder from the Vice 
President that such matters should be left to the judicial 
system.  The case stands as a reminder that impunity has not 
ended in Sierra Leone.  End Comment. 
HULL