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PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNR #1139/01 1601035
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 091035Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9764
INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY 3222
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC PRIORITY 1815
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0559
RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA 0596
RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 6567
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 0156
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 3281
RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI 5353

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001139 
 
STATE PASS USTR CONNIE HAMILTON, PATRICK DEAN COLEMAN, AND WILLIAM 
JACKSON 
 
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/E, AND AF/EPS ANN BREITER, GABRIELLE MALLORY, 
MARY B. JOHNSON, AND TAWANNA DAVIDSON 
 
STATE ALSO FOR AF/EX SYLVIE MARTINEZ AND SONJA WRAY-BROWN 
 
AF/PD FOR CLAUDIA ANYASO AND TIJEN AYBAR 
 
STATE ALSO FOR EEB/TPP/BTA AMY HOLMAN 
 
STATE PLEASE PASS USAID/EA AND USAID/AFR/SD BRUNO CORNELIO AND JEFF 
MALICK 
 
TREASURY FOR DAN PETERS AND REBECCA KLEIN 
 
COMMERCE FOR KEVIN BOYD, ALICIA ROBINSON, AND BECKY ERKUL 
 
AGRICULTURE FOR DON EVANS AND CATHY MCKINNELL 
 
LABOR FOR SUDHA HALEY AND MAUREEN PETTIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: ASEC AMGT ECON ETRD AGOA PGOV PREL KE
SUBJECT:  KENYA REAFFIRMS AGOA PROGRAM 
 
REFS: (A) NAIROBI 1056 AND PREVIOUS 
 
¶1.  This cable is not/not for internet distribution. 
 
¶2.  Summary:  At the June 4 meeting of the AGOA Main Preparatory 
Committee, the Chair reaffirmed the Government of Kenya's (GOK) 
commitment to the US-Africa Ministerial Program and strongly 
discouraged any further changes.  The GOK has scheduled a meeting 
with the ambassadors of AGOA-eligible countries in Nairobi to brief 
them on the forum, including the final program.  Econ/C said the USG 
would conduct similar outreach to support the GOK's message.  The 
GOK has decided against the August 5 Nairobi National Park "bush 
dinner" in lieu of an event likely at the Kenya International 
Conference Centre (KICC).  Econ/C pressed for the joint press 
conference now that the logo is finalized.  The Publicity 
Sub-Committee presented the media accreditation process.  The 
Private Sector Sub-Committee reported that the trade exhibition is 
undersubscribed with only 58 booths reserved.  End summary. 
 
------- 
Program 
------- 
 
¶3.  At the June 4 meeting of the AGOA Main Preparatory Committee, 
Econ/C requested confirmation that the US-Africa Ministerial Program 
had been finalized.  The Chair reaffirmed the Government of Kenya's 
(GOK) commitment to the program and strongly discouraged any further 
changes.  The GOK has scheduled a meeting with the ambassadors of 
AGOA-eligible countries in Nairobi to brief them on the forum 
including the final program.  Econ/C said that the meeting is a good 
opportunity to keep the AGOA-eligible diplomatic corps briefed and 
engaged on the forum.  The Chair said that the Kenyan missions 
abroad will also be working to brief officials in AGOA-eligible 
countries about forum activities, including the final program. 
Econ/C said the USG would conduct similar outreach to support the 
GOK's message. 
 
¶4.  The GOK is reconsidering holding the August 5 bush dinner in 
Nairobi National Park due to logistical and security challenges. 
Instead, the Hospitality and Accommodation Sub-Committee will plan 
an alternative event likely at the Kenya International Conference 
Centre (KICC). 
 
----- 
Media 
----- 
 
¶5.  Econ/C emphasized the importance of holding the joint press 
conference as soon as possible.  The GOK has sent the final logo 
selection to the tender board.  Econ/C requested a copy of the final 
logo to send to the interagency for approval, and pressed for dates 
to hold the event.  The Publicity Sub-Committee pushed for the joint 
press statement and reported that it has alerted the media to the 
event. 
 
¶6.  The Publicity Sub-Committee reported the requirements for media 
accreditation.  Each media house is required to provide the 
following 
 
-- An accreditation fee: $50 for international journalists and 
Ksh500 for local media; 
 
-- A letter introducing personnel; 
 
-- Passport-size photos for badges and identification. 
 
The Chair questioned the fees and requested more information about 
the accreditation process from the sub-committee.  He said that 
information about media accreditation would not be posted to the 
web-site until the full Committee had agreed to the fees and the 
process.  The Chair confirmed that the Publicity Sub-Committee would 
organize the press room at the KICC and requested more detailed 
information about the press room from the sub-committee.  (Note: 
Post would welcome AF/PD feedback on the GOK's media accreditation 
process.  End note.) 
 
------------------------------------- 
Private Sector/Civil Society Progress 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶7.  The Private Sector Sub-Committee requested an official opening 
of the trade exhibition on August 5.  The Chair questioned the 
logistics of an opening on the first day of the ministerial.  Econ/C 
said that an opening on the margins of the forum might be possible, 
but must not affect the flow of the established program.  The trade 
show event planner reported that the exhibition is undersubscribed 
with 58 stands reserved for the exhibit.  The Civil Society 
Sub-Committee reported that it has identified, in partnership with 
the US civil society lead, key speakers for its sessions. 
 
------------ 
GOK Progress------------ 
 
¶8.  The Conferencing Sub-Committee announced that the badging system 
has been tested, and the committee will meet June 9 with 
stakeholders to sign-off on the final system so that it can go live. 
 The Chair, supported by Econ/C, requested more detailed information 
about the badging process, including delineation of responsibilities 
throughout the process.  During the meeting, the Chair re-confirmed 
that the East African Community Investment Conference will be held 
either one day earlier or later than the AGOA Forum. 
 
Ranneberger