VZCZCXRO3246
OO RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHFN #0676/01 3131707
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 091707Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1512
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000676 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR AF A/S FRAZER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID ECON PGOV PHUM PREL SL
SUBJECT: SCENE SETTER FOR A/S FRAZER TRAVEL TO SIERRA LEONE 
PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION 
 
 ¶1. (U) The inauguration of President Ernest Bai Koroma is an 
important milestone in the recovery of Sierra Leone from 
years of conflict and upheaval.  Your visit to this country 
at the time of peaceful transition from one elected 
administration to another is an opportunity to underscore 
U.S. commitment to democracy in Africa. Heads of state from a 
number of neighboring countries including Nigeria, Ghana, 
Liberia and Guinea will be attending, making the inauguration 
a regional celebration. The UK will be represented by 
Baroness Amos, former Secretary of State for International 
Development. The United Nations representative will be 
Assistant Secretary General for Peace Building Support, 
Carolyn McKaskie. Other countries sending delegations include 
Japan, Canada and, possibly, France. 
 
 
Overview 
-------- 
¶2. (U) After a decades-long civil war, Sierra Leone has 
maintained a fragile peace since 2002. However, the 
conditions that lead to the war still prevail:  high 
unemployment, lack of infrastructure and the population's 
perceptions of corruption. The venal and inept leadership of 
the previous government also stymied progress.  During the 
recent national elections, Sierra Leoneans, tired of the lack 
of progress, overwhelmingly voted for change.  The opposition 
All People's Congress (APC) won a parliamentary majority in 
August, and the opposition party's presidential candidate 
Ernest Bai Koroma, won a presidential run off held September 
¶8. All observers lauded Sierra Leone on the conduct of the 
elections and hailed the transparent, relatively violence 
free process as a model for sub-Saharan Africa.   The 
campaign period was marred by skirmishes between supporters 
of the rival candidates, but the Sierra Leonean Police were 
able to intervene effectively. Local elections are scheduled 
for mid-2008 and will be another important step in 
strengthening democracy in Sierra Leone. 
 
¶3. (U) The new government will need to manage the voters, 
unrealistic expectations that change will happen within the 
first few months. In his speech following his September 17 
swearing in, President Koroma pledged 'zero tolerance' for 
corruption. He reiterated this pledge during his address at 
the occasion of the opening of the new Parliament, 
Revitalizing the Anti-Corruption Commission will be a part of 
this effort.  He also promised government encouragement of 
private sector development as this will drive the growth and 
employment that the country desperately needs. One immediate 
goal is the restoration of electricity to Freetown.  Our U.S. 
goals reflect the priorities highlighted by the government 
goals under their Poverty Reduction Strategy and set forth in 
the President's parliamentary speech. 
 
UNIOSIL and the Special Court 
----------------------------- 
 
¶4. (U) The UN peacekeeping follow-on presence, UNIOSIL 
(United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone), has been 
very effective and, through strong leadership, has been 
extremely active in continuing the UN mandate to sustain 
peace and security.  Sierra Leone garners a fair amount of 
international attention, and the UN has put the spotlight on 
the country by naming it as one of two (with Burundi) 
countries for Peace Building Commission (PBC) attention and 
it is eligible to benefit from the new Peace Building Fund 
(PBF) for rapid intervention "peace sustaining" activities. 
Funding so far has been directed at youth employment 
initiatives, security sector assistance, electoral funding, 
and support for the newly formed Human Rights Commission. The 
U.S. is currently the only major donor that has not 
contributed to the PBF, although evaluation of the PBC 
continues in order to determine potential needs the USG may 
fill in the future. 
 
¶5. (U) The Special Court of Sierra Leone (SCSL), the war 
crimes tribunal charged with prosecuting those most 
responsible for the atrocities committed during the civil war 
is based in Freetown.  Two completed trials have moved on to 
the appeals phase. For security reasons, the SCSL chose to 
use the International Criminal Court venue in The Hague to 
prosecute former Liberian President Charles Taylor. The SCSL 
is unique, as it relies solely on voluntary contributions and 
must constantly fund raise for operating expenses.  We are 
the largest contributor, and have provided about $48 million 
to date. The Taylor trial has been delayed and will reconvene 
on January 7, 2008 so we anticipate the court will extend 
into 2009, or even early 2010.  In FY 2006, $5.94 million in 
ESF for Sierra Leone bilateral assistance, which would have 
supported our assistance programs in agriculture, local 
 
FREETOWN 00000676  002 OF 002 
 
 
governance, diamond sector reform and media programs, was 
diverted to fund our contribution to the SCSL. 
 
Bilateral Relations and Assistance 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶6. (U) Our relationship with Sierra Leone has been generally 
positive. We enjoy good access and respect for our views most 
of the time.  We are considered a major bilateral donor, but 
the U.K. far outstrips others in terms of its support to the 
country. Under the previous government, corruption was 
endemic and impeded good governance and private sector 
reform.   Our partnership with Sierra Leone seeks to bolster 
democratic growth through support for national and local 
elections, diamond sector reform and assistance to local 
governance at the district level.  We also support 
opportunities for economic growth, particularly through the 
agricultural sector.  Our efforts are in line with the 
GoSL,s three- year Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), which 
runs from 2005-2007. Sixty percent of the national budget is 
donor funded, mostly through the EU and the UK.  Sierra Leone 
received Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) relief status 
in late 2006 and we signed our debt cancellation agreement in 
June 2007. 
 
Security 
-------- 
 
¶7. (U) The overall security situation in Sierra Leone, post 
election, is calm. However, there have been reports of 
sporadic politically motivated incidents, primarily assaults 
and intimidation tactics, which have occurred in several 
locations up-country. Violence emanating from ethnic and 
cross-cultural issues such as rights to chieftaincy and 
boundary disputes, especially in the rural regions, has also 
been the root cause of numerous incidents up-country.  While 
people are remarkably resilient given the appalling 
infrastructure and lack of economic opportunity, various 
groups here have shown a willingness to lash out at any 
perceived injustices in the form of demonstrations, rioting, 
clashes with police and even attacks on police stations in 
Freetown and the provinces.  The immediate threat to safety 
and security continues to be crime and the likelihood of 
traffic accidents due to the abysmal road conditions. 
Criminal activity against westerners is rare, but remains a 
concern.  There has been a noticeable decrease in the number 
of armed robberies since the presidential election, and 
encouraging sign considering the propensity of assailants to 
carry out robberies, home invasions and assaults without fear 
of retribution. 
 
Press 
----- 
 
¶8. (U) Post has prepared a Press Statement, which will be 
distributed to the print media on Tuesday, November 14 (copy 
to be forwarded).  Post recommends the Assistant Secretary 
give one short interview with Cotton Tree News, a local radio 
organization which distributes material to stations 
nationwide, including UN Radio.  Radio is the primary means 
by which Sierra Leoneans obtain information, and the Cotton 
Tree News will give broad, diverse coverage.  Talking points 
will be prepared at post expressing our support for the new 
government and satisfaction at the anticipated success of the 
inauguration as well as a positive outcome of bilateral 
meetings. Please advise if this is acceptable. 
 
Scenario/Schedule 
------------------ 
 
¶9. (U) A scenario and schedule will be sent separately for 
review. 
 
 
 
 
 
PERRY