US embassy cable - 05NDJAMENA1552

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 001552 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR DRL AND AF/C 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KDEM, PHUM, CD, Human RIghts 
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY FUND (HRDF): STATUS 
REPORT 
 
REF: CUMBERLAND/FITZGIBBON E-MAIL DATED 10/12/06 
 
1. Summary: Two HRDF grants totaling $50,000 were obligated 
in March 2005 and are in the process of implementation.  Both 
are meeting their objectives to strengthen freedom of speech 
in Chad by providing material and programmatic support to 
private radio stations.  End summary. 
 
2. Grant S-CD300-05-GR016 was awarded to Radio FM Liberte in 
the amount of $42,000 with the stated purpose of increasing 
the awareness among Chadians of their rights through the 
production of a series of civic education broadcasts, 
entitled "The Right to Know," in three languages.  The 
programs are written and produced by one of Chad's leading 
human rights advocates.  The first broadcast aired on the 
national radio station June 1, the others following on a 
weekly basis.  To date there have been a total of twelve 
programs, each one broadcast in the French, Arabic and Sara 
languages.  The grantee has transmitted to the Embassy two 
financial reports summarizing expenditures but has not yet 
provided the necessary payment documentation to liquidate its 
advance.  This shortcoming has been brought to its attention 
and will soon be addressed. 
 
Amount obligated: $42,000 
Amount disbursed: $15,000 
Unexpended balance:     $37,000 
Completion date:  February 28, 2006 
 
3. Grant S-CD300-05-GR017 was awarded to ADCFL, a community 
development association in the Borkou oasis of Chad's far 
north, for office furniture and equipment to enhance the 
broadcast capacity of a local radio station which began 
broadcasting in February 2005.  Though located in the largest 
town of the region, Faya Largeau, the absence of electricity 
requires the radio to have an autonomous energy supply.  The 
HRDF project has provided for the purchase of a primary and 
back-up generator, as well as utility tables and voltage 
regulators.  Broadcasting each night for 2-3 hours, the 
effort is clearly an example of grassroots democracy at its 
best.  The radio announcers are volunteers; operating costs 
such as fuel and spare parts for the generators are covered 
in part by charging spectators a nominal fee to watch French 
television broadcasts projected on the compound wall in the 
evening. The Ambassador visited the radio station June 28 and 
provided a live interview. French soldiers based in Faya 
Largeau have commented to the Embassy about the moderating 
influence this radio station has on the more radical forms of 
Islamic currents of thought beginning to circulate in the 
area.  Finally, it should be noted that copies of the civic 
education programs being produced under "The Right to Know" 
grant (para 2 above) were provided this community radio 
station in Faya Largeau. 
 
Amount obligated: $ 8,000 
Amount disbursed: $ 7,360 
Unexpended balance:     $   640 
Completion date:  February 28, 2006 
 
4.  Embassy is pleased with the manner in which both of these 
grants are meeting their objectives and will continue to 
provide the necessary oversight to ensure that all funds are 
properly expended and accounted for. 
WALL 
 
 
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