VZCZCXRO1992
OO RUEHMA
DE RUEHMA #0042/01 1321153
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 121153Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY MALABO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0493
INFO RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHYD/AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE IMMEDIATE 0288
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID IMMEDIATE 0118
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEHMA/AMEMBASSY MALABO 0561

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MALABO 000042 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
AF/FO FOR K. WYCOFF, AF/RSA FO RC. POMMERER, INL/AAE FOR A. ALTON 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KJUS EAID EK
SUBJECT: AFTER NOWAK -- SETTING THE BAR FOR EQUATORIAL GUINEA 
 
REF: A)MALABO 136 (08),  B)MALABO 11, C)MALABO 33,  D)MALABO 18, E)STATE 5448 
 
¶1. (U) This cable contains an action request.  Please see para 8. 
 
 
 
¶2. (U) Our policy of gradual engagement with EG went off the 
rails late last year following the November 2008 visit and 
resulting press statement by UN Special Rapporteur Nowak (REF 
A).  Nowak indicated the EG's use of torture was systematic, and 
"the worst he had seen."  While doing so slowly, the GREG has 
responded to the UNSR's criticisms by undertaking a number of 
positive actions.  Nowak's formal report has been delayed and is 
now not expected until summer, but what EG has done so far is 
not insignificant.  The EG government has: 
 
 
 
-- Responded positively and publically to Nowak's complaint (REF 
B); 
 
 
 
-- Replaced the Minister of National Security (chief police 
official) for the first time in its post-colonial history with a 
civilian; 
 
 
 
-- Replaced additional high-ranking justice system personnel 
with the publically-announced goal of adding vigor and 
accelerating progress (SEPTEL); 
 
 
 
-- Introduced draft legislation, currently before the 
Parliament, intended to reform the structure of the justice 
system and leave Franco-era legal structures behind; 
 
 
 
-- Officially reached out to us for assistance to reforming the 
justice system (REF C); 
 
 
 
-- Engaged in expansion of the work of U.S. security training 
contractor MPRI to improve administration of detention centers 
in EG; 
 
 
 
-- Accelerated work on the new Malabo police station and 
associated jail in order to more quickly close the colonial-era 
facility singled out for criticism by Nowak; 
 
 
 
-- Developed, printed and is placing a anti-torture poster in 
all police stations underscoring that the practice is illegal 
and unacceptable. 
 
 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Background:  While it is true that President Obiang 
used the excuse of a weak response to the February 17 attack on 
the presidential compound (REF D) to replace former Minister of 
National Security Manuel Nguema Mba, insiders tell us that a big 
part of Obiang's motivation was to break with EG's past 
practices under Nguema's decade's-long leadership of the police. 
 As noted, the new Minister of National Security Nicolas Obama 
Nchama was, until he assumed his duties as minister, a civilian. 
 While his lieutenant rank from previous service was restored 
when he did so (since the ministerial slot is a military 
billet), the significance of Obama becoming the first civilian 
to serve in this key ministry in EG's post-colonial history 
cannot be ignored. 
 
 
 
¶4. (U) Obama was instrumental in getting a proposed poster 
program implemented.  Being prominently placed in all police 
stations, these posters carry a commanding photo of President 
Obiang and direct quotes from the 2006 decree outlawing torture. 
 The minister plans a press roll-out to accompany completion of 
the program.  The text of the poster reads: 
 
 
 
MALABO 00000042  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
"The crime of torture is committed by a public servant who... 
inflicts suffering or pain on a person... and any public 
servant, who knows of the commission of an act of torture, is 
obligated to report it immediately or be punished with a prison 
term... -- Law Decree Number 6/2006, dated 2 November, regarding 
the Prevention of, and Punishment for Torture.  Signed by 
President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic, 
Chief of State." 
 
 
 
¶5. (U) This campaign has been endorsed by the president himself, 
and its message is clear: those officials continuing to mistreat 
detainees will know they do so in direct contravention of 
President Obiang's wishes. 
 
 
 
Where's the Bar? 
 
------------------ 
 
¶6. (SBU) We can continue to push for more from the GREG 
regarding Nowak's criticisms but at some point soon this is 
likely to become counterproductive.  From our perspective the 
time has arrived for us to throw them a bone.  The country has 
few progressive allies -- and none with our potential to 
influence positive change.  The admonition that the country 
should solve its own problems is misguided.  It cannot.  It may 
have money but it does not yet have the resident capacity to 
address these issues.  This is where human rights policy becomes 
its own enemy.  If we truly want to see mistreatment of 
prisoners cease quickly, the best way to do so is engage in ways 
that show EG how to leave this legacy behind.  With its own 
history and in this neighborhood, maintaining order will remain 
a predominant focus for the country.  As Nowak himself has told 
us, as long as EG's justice system only works off confessions, 
security officials will be tempted to force them if all else 
fails -- even under the stern gaze of the president on a poster. 
 
 
 
¶7. (SBU) So far, the actions taken by the GREG -- which include 
renovation and update of all prisons and police lock-ups -- have 
not been seen as enough to attract our engagement.  Those who 
think the worst of the country appear to control our policy, 
while the country's many deficiencies provide an excuse to 
others who prefer to remain indifferent.  Here, insiders very 
close to the president tell us he is engaged program of 
systematic replacement of the country's "dinosaurs" -- as he 
recently referred to them in a television broadcast.  This 
largely matches our own observations.  Yet despite Obiang's 
support, the efforts of justice system reform being pushed by 
the new Minister of Justice, Salvador Ondo Nkumu are faltering 
under withering pressure from fossils with vested interests in 
maintaining Franco-era structures.  Clear demonstration of U.S. 
intent to help EG reform its justice system, as requested by the 
minister (REFS C, D), should strengthen his hand and help the 
country begin to clear away Franco's ghost. 
 
 
 
¶8. (U) ACTION REQUESTED: Request Department positively respond 
to EG's appeal for assistance with reform of its justice system. 
 Post proposes an evaluation visit by INL and/or Department of 
Justice experts.  Those with Spanish skills and experience in 
Latin America or other continental law environments would be 
most appropriate. 
SMITH