VZCZCXRO6225
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHMV #1063 3641738
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 291738Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY MONROVIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0645
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS MONROVIA 001063 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
PLEASE PASS OPIC FOR JAMIE EKERN AND BARBARA GIBIAN 
 
E.O.12958: N/A 
TAGS: EINV ECON OPIC LI
SUBJECT: LIBERIA:  KENDEJA CULTURAL CENTER -- NO PROGRESS 
 
REF A:  EKERN-ABBOTT MEMO OF 12/15/08; B) GIBIAN-ABBOTT E-MAIL OF 
12/9/08; C) MONROVIA 407 
 
¶1. (SBU) The RLJ Kendeja Hotel construction is proceeding in 
anticipation of a March 2009 opening.  Ref C reported some of the 
controversy surrounding the launch of the project, and Ref B 
requested an update on the status of relocation of the displaced 
Kendeja cultural center.  During a December 16 meeting, the new 
Assistant Minister for Culture Isaac Jackson told us the Minister of 
Information, Culture and Tourism (MICAT) has said it is a high 
priority for the GOL to show progress on the National Cultural 
Center, planned for Margibi County (past Monrovia's airport) before 
the RLJ Kendeja hotel opens.  Former residents of the Kendeja 
cultural center and members of the cultural troupe are apparently 
still in the area around the hotel, "practicing together."  However, 
the GOL has made no progress on relocating the cultural center 
displaced and it does not sound as if any progress is likely in the 
foreseeable future. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Jackson reported he planned to try to visit the new site 
for the proposed cultural center sometime in December to hire people 
to "prepare the ground," which he clarified meant to cut the grass. 
MICAT then plans to erect a fence around the 50-acre site, and hopes 
companies will purchase advertising spots on the fence to provide 
MICAT a source of revenue.  Jackson, who has been in the job a 
month, disclaimed any knowledge of incidents that took place before 
his arrival and invited the Minister's chief of staff Norris Tweah 
to provide more background. 
 
 
¶3. (SBU) Tweah was not sure how much of the money provided by the 
RLJ companies had been used to buy land and compensate Kendeja 
residents and how much remained unaccounted for.  There do not seem 
to be any plans to investigate the situation further.  MICAT will 
not be able to take further steps on the cultural center unless it 
receives additional funding.  (Note: Liberia's next fiscal year 
starts July 1; the next dry season, suitable for construction, 
starts about October.  End note.) 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  Comment:  There is a shortage of hotel rooms in Monrovia 
and RLJ Kendeja's opening is much anticipated by the business 
community.  The opening is timed to precede the international 
Women's Colloquium that is being hosted by the GOL in early March. 
Although the investment encountered the usual range of obstructions 
and delays that afflict projects in Liberia, and there are concerns 
that the project is running behind schedule.  There are as yet no 
competing hotels of comparable quality planned.  The planned 
additional airline service by Delta Airlines, starting next June, 
should increase the demand for hotels.  Per Ref A, we are not aware 
of any potential ties to terrorism, money laundering, corruption, 
violations of law associated with the project owners, and do not 
anticipate changes in currency convertibility or restrictions in 
transferring remittances out of Liberia. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Comment continued:  President Sirleaf envisions the new 
cultural center as a nation-building enterprise, drawing students 
from each county and reviving a national cultural heritage.  That 
said, relocation of the cultural center is a contentious issue and 
is low on the list of national poverty reduction priorities.  The 
RLJ Kendeja hotel has created an excellent impression by the jobs it 
is creating and the manner in which it treats its employees.  It is 
likely that good community relations by the hotel (and increasing 
employment) will counter lingering resentment over the displaced 
cultural center.  The hotel, along with RLJ's other investments in 
Liberia, provide a vote of confidence and help convince Liberians 
their country is, indeed, on the right track. 
 
THOMAS-GREENFIELD