VZCZCXRO5328
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHFN #0123 0901731
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 311731Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2559
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS FREETOWN 000123 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/EPS 
DEPT PLEASE PASS USAID 
 
E.O.12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL EAID SCUL SL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PERRY VISITS KONO WITH UN DELEGATION 
 
¶1. Summary: On March 18, Ambassador Perry joined a UN-led delegation 
on a one day tour of Koidu City and its environs in the Kono 
District of Eastern Sierra Leone. The group met with local leaders 
and observed several ongoing development projects to evaluate the 
region's future needs. The delegation was made up of key members 
within the Diplomatic Corps, Donor Community and members of 
government. Their presence renewed hope within the Kono community by 
pledging their commitment to ensuring that the district regains its 
past glory as an important business center. End Summary. 
 
¶2. On March 18th, Ambassador Perry joined a UN-led delegation on a 
one day tour of Koidu City and its environs in the Kono District of 
Eastern Sierra Leone. The Deputy Minister for Local Government, the 
Minister of State from the Vice President's office, the District 
Chairman, the Koidu City Mayor, and the Paramount Chief comprised 
the host country's interlocutors. The group began the day by 
examining a German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) project focused on 
resettling youth from urban mining areas to their villages of 
origin. With the international community's assistance, promoting 
migration back into rural areas has recently become a central theme 
of the Koroma administration. The delegation then moved to a meeting 
with local authorities, dignitaries and traditional leaders where 
they discussed the city's developmental constraints.  The Chairman 
of the Kono District highlighted the need for better roads as they 
would facilitate the construction of water and sanitation systems, 
schools, hospitals, irrigation channels and other needed 
infrastructure. 
 
¶3. Ambassador Perry also had the opportunity to meet with the Ngaiya 
market women in the Nimikoro Chiefdom. The women appealed for 
assistance in refurbishing their market buildings and for vehicles 
to transport goods from rural areas to cities like Koidu and Makeni 
(Note: USAID has provided assistance to markets and cooperatives in 
the past. End note). Ambassador Perry expressed appreciation for the 
enthusiasm exhibited by the women and promised to work with her 
diplomatic colleagues on the appropriate action. The USG is 
presently assisting 14,000 farmers in the Eastern Region through the 
USD 13 million PAGE (agricultural/environment) programs. 
 
¶4. Comment: The local leaders called upon Ambassadors and the 
UN/ERSG to make statements, which focused primarily on the need for 
unity across party lines to ensure further progress in the country. 
We expect requests for special self-help funds to further develop 
the grassroots cooperatives. End Comment. 
PERRY