VZCZCXRO8788
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHYD #1007/01 3291532
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 251532Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0484
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 YAOUNDE 001007 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2019 
TAGS: CM PGOV PINR PREL
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT BIYA'S DEMARCHE TO AMBASSADOR: FRIENDS 
DON'T CRITICIZE 
 
REF: A. YAOUNDE 175 
     ¶B. YAOUNDE 971 
 
Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Scott Ticknor for reasons 1.4 (d) and (e) 
 
¶1.  (C)  Summary: On November 25, Cameroonian Foreign 
Minister Henri Eyebe Ayissi summoned Ambassador to his office 
to read her a message which he said was from President Paul 
Biya.  The statement, written in French, affirmed that 
diplomats should not interfere with Cameroon's internal 
affairs, especially by publicly criticizing the Electoral 
Commission (ELECAM).  ELECAM was "irreversible" and would be 
independent.  U.S. assistance would be welcome.  Biya's 
message took note of the Foreign Minister's November 13 
speech to the diplomatic corps, which also demanded that 
diplomats not publicly criticize the government.  Ambassador 
emphasized the importance of free and fair elections in 2011. 
 We are trying to obtain a copy of Biya's message (Ayissi did 
not provide us one).  Para 8 suggests possible next steps 
here and in Washington.  End summary. 
 
Defining our Friendship 
----------------------- 
 
¶2.  (C)  Biya's message began by affirming "the Department of 
State had communicated that Cameroon is a friendly country." 
Cameroon was sensitive to diplomatic statements made to the 
domestic and international media, noting "we want to avoid 
manipulation of public opinion by diplomats."  Cameroon was 
in a delicate stage but there had been a misunderstanding of 
the government's approach.  Diplomats should not interfere 
with internal affairs.  "Cameroon C'est le Cameroon" 
(Cameroon is Cameroon.  Note:  this is a common Cameroonian 
saying.  End note.) - it's not the U.S. or other African 
states, the message went on, adding that its institutions and 
"collective temperament" need to be accepted for what they 
are.  This was essential for internal peace and to abide by 
the spirit of friendship between our countries. 
 
With a Spotlight on ELECAM 
-------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (C)  This approach applied in particular to ELECAM, the 
message continued.  It was important for the government 
position to be understood and for diplomats to realize the 
impact their statements on ELECAM had on peace and national 
and international opinion.  ELECAM was entering a 
particularly sensitive, visible period heading into 2010. 
The message offered three specific points on ELECAM: 
 
-- ELECAM was created as part of a long electoral reform 
process.  ELECAM was created under an act of law; its 
officials are named and functions determined - this is 
"irreversible".  ELECAM offices were being established around 
the country "normally" and ELECAM was operating 
"responsibly". 
 
-- Friendly countries should keep opinions about ELECAM to 
themselves and judge the institution on what it does. They 
should not upset the process of creating ELECAM.  The USG had 
made declarations on ELECAM but should now observe 
developments.  USG logistical or other assistance to ELECAM 
would be welcome. 
 
--  The President had instructed that ELECAM be independent 
and would monitor ELECAM to ensure this is the case. He 
demanded that international partners stop making critical 
declarations about the institution. 
 
The November 13 Remarks 
----------------------- 
 
¶4.  (C)  The message made note of the Foreign Minister's 
remarks during a November 13 speech at an event for the dip 
corps to honor "diplomatic friendship and solidarity". 
(Note:  During this event, which Ambassador attended, the 
Foreign Minister delivered a similar message as this 
demarche, demanding that the diplomatic corps refrain from 
commenting on Cameroon's internal affairs.  The speech came 
after the outgoing European Union Ambassador blasted the 
government in a press conference, criticizing the composition 
of ELECAM, the failure to release the 2005 census, and poor 
governance.  End note.)   The President's message said that 
the November 13 message was not aimed specifically at the 
United States but at the whole diplomatic corps; nonetheless, 
the U.S. had made critical public comments before.  "In the 
interest of peace and friendship," foreign governments needed 
to keep within diplomatic norms of communication. 
Ambassador's Response 
 
YAOUNDE 00001007  002 OF 002 
 
 
--------------------- 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  Ambassador said we would take note of this message 
but that we have our point of view and want to share it at 
times.  She stressed the importance we place on democratic 
and transparent elections in 2011. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶6.  (C)  The Foreign Minister, who in the past has delivered 
tough messages with bluster and legalistic flair, this time 
appeared uncomfortable.  He read from the text with very 
little eye contact and seemed somewhat flustered when 
Ambassador later raised other obviously important 
international issues such as the Iran nuclear program and the 
Copenhagen summit.  He ended the meeting abruptly.  When 
Ambassador took media questions afterwards, the one question 
from journalists was "did you discuss elections?" - an 
obviously planted question since there was no particular 
reason to be raising elections with the minister at this time. 
 
¶7.  (C)  This demarche was odd on many levels.  It is the 
first time President Biya has delivered a formal message to 
the Ambassador.  We would not be surprised if similar 
messages are being delivered to other Ambassadors in a 
full-court effort to stifle diplomatic criticism, following 
similar efforts when the Foreign Minister lectured the entire 
dip corps about ELECAM on February 19 (ref A) and November 
¶13.  This may reflect the lingering sting of the EU 
Ambassador's criticism. (Ambassador Garvey has been publicly 
critical in the past over the composition of the commission, 
which is largely composed of CPDM insiders.  She has not made 
any statements on this matter in recent months.)  It may also 
portend some new political move from Biya, such as advancing 
elections, although Ayissi assured Ambassador that 
presidential elections would be in 2011. 
 
¶8.  (C)  In ref B, post argued for rethinking our 
relationship with Cameroon, with a harder hitting approach 
supported by Washington.  We will consult with other 
Ambassadors here to see how widely Biya's message was 
delivered and whether there is scope for some kind of joint 
response.  We will also reach out to some contacts within the 
Presidency for insights into this demarche.  Post suggests 
that, as the Department considers the engagement recommended 
in ref B, our concerns about this presidential message and 
about the need for neutrality in ELECAM be included among the 
key points. 
GARVEY