US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA2019

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 002019 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT for AF/C (MAshraf) 
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER 
 
FROM BRAZZAVILLE EMBASSY OFFICE 
 
E.O.12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, KTFN, ECON, CF, USTR, WTO 
SUBJECT:  Congo/Brazzaville:  Delivery of Demarches and 
          Confirmation of WTO Delegation Representation 
 
REFS: (A) STATE 213244; (B) STATE 215121; (C) STATE 
       216147; (D) STATE 217347; (E) STATE 220355; 
      (F) STATE 220728; (G) STATE 221401; 
      (H) STATE 218978 (not delivered, see parA 9) 
 
1. The following demarches were delivered by Econ/Cons 
Officer Bakken to Mr. Felix Ngoma, Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs Americas Desk Officer, on December 9, 2005. 
 
2. EITI Update and Outreach (REF A):  In response to 
talking points and non-paper, Ngoma indicated that the 
ROC has endorsed the initiative and is working on 
implementation. He promised that the non-paper would be 
forwarded to the appropriate host-government officials 
and that he would respond with an update on the 
government's next steps. 
 
3. National Strategy for Maritime Security (REF B): 
EMBOFF presented talking points and non-paper to Ngoma. 
He indicated that the information would be forwarded to 
the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Defense, 
and the Ministry of Commerce for review and coordination 
of government response to emerging initiatives to better 
secure the maritime domain. 
 
4. Avian Flu: Addressing AI-Related Import Restrictions 
on Poultry (REF C):  The talking points and non-paper 
were presented to Mr. Ngoma with request for him to 
provide to embassy staff a copy of the recent ban on 
poultry importation from countries where the avian flu 
has been identified.  He assured EMBOFF that there was 
no limitation on imports from the U.S.  (Comment: 
Interestingly, this week the consular section issued a 
visa to a Congolese trader who wanted to make contacts 
in the U.S. for importing poultry, the first time this 
product was listed among the items a Congolese trader 
was looking to purchase in the U.S. End Comment.) 
 
5. World AIDS Day 2005 (REF D):  The talking points and 
non-paper were delivered to Mr. Ngoma, who indicated 
that he would pass the information to the appropriate 
government officials. 
 
6. Terrorism Finance (REF E): Bakken provided names and 
background paper to Mr. Ngoma in both French and 
English.  Mr. Ngoma indicated that the receipt of 
French materials makes the process of disseminating the 
information to the appropriate government officials 
more efficient and timely. 
 
7. Iraq: Seeking Public Support for December 15 
Election (REF F):  EMBOFF delivered talking points and 
non-paper to Mr. Ngoma.  Mr. Ngoma expressed agreement 
concerning the importance of public statements of 
international support for the Iraqi people as they 
elect the first government under the new constitution. 
He said that he would pass the non-paper to the 
Minister of Foreign Affairs. 
 
8. Demarche Request UNGA Third Committee (REF G): 
EMBOFF presented talking points to Mr. Ngoma. 
(Comment. Mr. Ngoma did not appear sympathetic to the 
U.S. position and it appears likely that ROC will 
continue to vote with other African nations. End 
Comment.) 
 
9. UNGA Demarche to Increase Plenary Support of First 
Committee Resolution (REF H): Demarche not delivered as 
cable was received in Brazzaville after anticipated 
vote. 
 
10. Upcoming WTO Ministerial in Hong Kong was briefly 
discussed given some recent talking points and Ngoma 
confirmed that the Minister of Commerce, Ms. Adelaide 
Moundele-Ngolo, had departed Brazzaville on December 7 
with Director General, Mr. Okoye.  He noted that the 
ROC delegation would look forward to meeting the U.S. 
delegates while in Hong Kong. 
 
11. Please be advised that the Embassy Brazzaville TDY 
Office currently has no access to IVG, OpenNet or GAL e- 
mail.  Embassy staff may be contacted via the following 
personal e-mail accounts or cell phone numbers: 
 
CDA Mark Biedlingmaier, carpaemarkum@hotmail.com 
 celtel: (242) 526-3562 
ECON/CONS Chelsea Bakken, bzvbakkencmh@yahoo.com 
 celtel: (242) 528-7963 (on R&R, 12/13 - 1/15/06) 
TDY MGT Susan Selbin, sselbin@hotmail.com 
 celtel: (242) 525-7387 (departs post 12/23) 
 
12. Brazzaville Embassy Office - Biedlingmaier. 
 
MEECE