VZCZCXRO5797
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHDS #0192/01 0350508
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 040508Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7602
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 3473
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 1983
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUZEFAA/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 8039

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000192 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC FOR MGAVIN, PARIS FOR WBAIN, LONDON FOR PLORD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2020 
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON GV GB AU
SUBJECT: AU SUMMIT: ASSISTANT SECRETARY CARSON'S MEETING 
WITH GABONESE PRESIDENT ALI BONGO - FEBRUARY 1, 2010 
 
Classified By: Assistant Secretary Carson for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). 
 
¶1. (SBU) February 1, 2010; 11:45 a.m.; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 
 
 
¶2. (SBU) Participants: 
 
U.S. 
Assistant Secretary Carson 
NSC Senior Director for African Affairs Michelle Gavin 
USAU Ambassador Michael Battle 
USAU A/DCM Joel Maybury 
AF Special Assistant Akunna Cook 
PolOff Brian Bauman 
PolOff Skye Justice (notetaker) 
 
Gabon 
President Ali Bongo 
Foreign Minister Paul Toungui 
Ambassador Baudelaire Nbong 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶3. (C) Gabonese President Ali Bongo told Assistant Secretary 
Johnnie Carson he intends to uphold the strong relations his 
father, former president Omar Bongo, maintained with the U.S. 
 Bongo plans to focus on developing Gabon's economy, and 
seeks stronger economic ties with the U.S.  Toward that end, 
he requested bilateral meetings with the U.S. focusing on 
trade and investment issues.  Bongo said he was honored that 
Secretary Clinton reached out to him for assistance resolving 
the crisis in Guinea, but that it would take him time to warm 
to the role of regional statesman.  He expressed concern that 
Dadis Camara, or perhaps another military leader, would 
attempt to take power in Guinea.  On Sudan, Bongo said he 
feared South Sudan's independence might embolden other 
regional leaders to attempt a break with Khartoum, leading to 
a civil war on multiple fronts with destabilizing effects 
across the region.  End summary. 
 
Bongo to Maintain Close Relations with U.S. 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (C) Gabonese President Ali Bongo assured A/S Carson that 
he intends to uphold the strong relations his father, former 
president Omar Bongo, maintained with the U.S.  Gabon will 
continue to promote peace internally and across the 
continent, he said, and looks forward to working with the 
U.S. on the UN Security Council.  A/S Carson congratulated 
Bongo on his electoral victory, and more importantly on the 
free and transparent process that led to his election.  He 
added that the USG had watched the electoral process very 
closely, respected its outcome, and appreciated the 
legitimacy Bongo gave to the process. 
 
Gabon to Focus on Economy, Seeks Increased Trade 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶5. (C) Quickly moving to his key message, Bongo said he was 
determined to set Gabon on an improved economic trajectory. 
Democracy cannot thrive in the midst of poverty and misery, 
he said, and the Gabonese people must be lifted from hunger. 
Bongo said his father had always regretted that Gabon's 
investment and trade relations with the U.S. were not 
stronger, and he is now committed to strengthening them. 
"Africa doesn't see enough of the U.S." along the economic 
front, he added.  "We see others coming and investing, but 
not the U.S."  Over the years, U.S. administrations have 
presented Gabon with a "fine menu" of what economic relations 
could look like if political conditions improved, but they 
have never delivered.  "The Chinese menu is poorer," Bongo 
said, "but the food is there, and we need to eat!" 
 
¶6. (C) Bongo requested bilateral meetings in the U.S. to plot 
a way forward, noting that Gabon fully understands U.S. 
expectations for good governance and fighting corruption, and 
will hold itself to an equally high standard as the countries 
form a closer partnership.  As Gabon seeks to improve 
economic ties with the U.S., "we appreciate that we are being 
heard" by the current administration, he added.  Carson 
 
ADDIS ABAB 00000192  002 OF 002 
 
 
welcomed Bongo's initiative to build upon the strong 
relationship with the U.S. established by his father, and 
agreed that the Gabonese-U.S. partnership could be broadened, 
deepened, and strengthened.  He emphasized the need to work 
together to create jobs, diversify Gabon's economy, and 
strengthen the private sector, and agreed that there was 
great potential to strengthen economic ties. 
 
Bongo Hesitant to Take on Regional Role, as in Guinea 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
¶7. (C) A/S Carson praised Gabon's stability and its history 
of solving and mitigating regional conflict, adding that he 
hoped the new president would continue that tradition.  He 
noted that Secretary Clinton had that history in mind when 
she requested Bongo's intervention with Guinean Captain Dadis 
Camara.  Bongo responded that he was honored that the 
Secretary reached out to him on this difficult issue, but 
said as a new president it would take him time to achieve the 
regional standing that his late father held.  "I couldn't 
step in unless (Burkinabe) President Compaore stepped aside," 
he said.  "I could not overstep my bounds and create 
discomfort" amongst my African counterparts.  Bongo assured 
Carson that he would be willing to help on similar issues in 
the future, so long as he was given time to consider the 
request and coordinate with neighboring countries. 
 
¶8. (C) In response to Bongo's request for the U.S. view of 
the way forward in Guinea, A/S Carson praised the leadership 
of President Compaore, and said Dadis had agreed to remain 
outside Guinea for medical care.  Guinean General Konate has 
indicated he will remain in power through the transition, he 
said, and no military officers will run for national office 
at the end of the transition period.  The U.S. and France 
will support security sector reform and a democratic 
electoral process, and will support economic development once 
progress is made on those fronts.  Bongo expressed concern 
that indicting Dadis for his crimes might drive him back to 
Guinea, and that many in the military were reluctant to 
relinquish power.  "Frankly, Konate is sick," he said, "and 
we have to make sure the civilians don't blow it and open the 
door for a military return to power."  Carson replied that he 
understood Bongo's concerns, that he was meeting with the 
likely presidential candidates, and the U.S. Embassy in 
Conakry was delivering a firm message to act responsibly to 
all concerned parties. 
 
Concerns over Southern Sudanese Independence 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶9. (C) On Sudan, Bongo expressed concern that if southern 
Sudan votes for independence, other regions - including 
Darfur and the far north - will be emboldened to follow suit. 
 Khartoum will not sit by and allow that, he said, and a 
Sudanese civil war fought with breakaway regions on multiple 
fronts will affect the entire region.  Bongo further 
suggested that even if neighboring states were to request 
that the south postpone the 2011 referendum, it would refuse 
so long as President Bashir is in power.  Carson responded 
that all parties are bound by the CPA, and we must honor the 
rights it grants the south.  He further noted it would be 
political suicide for any southern Sudanese leader to propose 
postponing the referendum. 
YATES