Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 06DAKAR2459, AGOA ELIGIBILITY REVIEW - GUINEA-BISSAU

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06DAKAR2459.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06DAKAR2459 2006-10-12 16:40 2011-08-24 16:30 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Dakar
VZCZCXRO7508
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHDK #2459/01 2851640
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 121640Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY DAKAR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6548
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DAKAR 002459 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT PLEASE PASS USTR FOR CONNIE HAMILTON 
DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/EPS - JANET POTASH 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD ECON AGOA PU
SUBJECT: AGOA ELIGIBILITY REVIEW - GUINEA-BISSAU 
 
REF: STATE 163056 
 
Embassy Dakar is pleased to provide information for Guinea-Bissau's 
AGOA eligibility review.  The following information is based on the 
template provided and has also been provided via e-mail to AF/EPS. 
 
 
Country:  GUINEA-BISSAU 
Current AGOA Status:  Eligible 
 
Country Background Summary:  Guinea-Bissau's population in 2005 was 
1.6 million.  2005 GNI was USD 283 million and GNI/capita was USD 
180.  Following legislative elections in 2004, the United States 
lifted FAAA Section 508 sanctions against Guinea-Bissau.  Following 
free and fair presidential elections in 2005, Joao Bernardo "Nino" 
Vieira was inaugurated as President.  That concluded Guinea-Bissau's 
transition back to democratic rule.  The Government is actively 
pursuing austerity measures and fiscal control in hopes of 
attracting donor and investor attention.  However, the economy 
remains very weak.  Guinea-Bissau has not yet had much success 
attracting foreign investment and has not yet taken advantage of its 
AGOA membership to increase exports to the U.S.  However, the 
Government is beginning to take some positive steps.  In September 
2006, USAID launched an AGOA Resource Center to the Chamber of 
Commerce.  In the long-term, with key infrastructure and sectoral 
improvements, Guinea-Bissau has the potential to export products, 
including processed cashews, fish and seafood, fruits, and even 
rice.  AGOA eligibility remains an important symbol of U.S. 
engagement with this post-conflict state and offers an incentive to 
encourage the Government to enact market enhancements, continue 
security sector reform, economic development in key sectors, and 
institutionalize recent democratic advances. 
 
Comments on Eligibility Requirements 
 
I.  Market-based Economy 
 
A.  Major Strengths Identified 
Before the 1998-99 civil war, trade reform and price liberalization 
were the most successful features of the country's structural 
adjustment program under IMF sponsorship.  Privatization has 
nominally continued under IMF auspices since the war, but progress 
remains slow due primarily to lack of private sector response. 
Guinea-Bissau remains open to foreign private investment, but 
minimal infrastructure remains a significant disincentive. 
 
Under the enhanced HIPC initiative Guinea-Bissau could be eligible, 
upon completion of arrears and fulfillment of other obligations, for 
up to USD 790 million in debt relief.  According to GOGB officials, 
the country owes USD 481 million in multilateral debt and USD 511 
million in bilateral debt (none owed directly to the United States). 
 The GOGB will need to negotiate a new PRGF program to become 
eligible for further debt relief.  For the moment, donor priority is 
focused on assisting the GOGB to cover immediate operational 
expenditures. 
 
Guinea-Bissau joined the West African Economic and Monetary Union 
(WAEMU) in 1997, and has made efforts to harmonize its policies with 
the standards of the WAEMU, including a switch to a single 
value-added tax (VAT) rate.  As of April 2006, the World Bank had 
disbursed USD 293 million of a USD 309 million program to support 
sectors like transport, energy, the economic recovery plan, 
agriculture, health, education, and private sector rehabilitation. 
 
 
Notably, in 2006, the government initiated a privatization program 
for 14 companies with an estimated total market value of 
approximately USD 51 million, including two hotels. 
 
B.  Major Issues/Problems Identified 
A post-conflict society, with an economy devastated by a 1998-99 
civil war, Guinea-Bissau is ranked 172 out of 177 among countries on 
the 2005 UNDP Human Development Index.  Misappropriation of funds by 
earlier regimes led the IMF to suspend its assistance and in turn 
triggered a similar suspension by most bilateral donors.  The 
suspension of almost all aid deepened the country's economic 
paralysis.  By late 2006 there was some renewed interest by the 
World Bank, IMF, and bilateral donors to support Guinea-Bissau's 
reform efforts and development needs. 
 
II.  Political Reforms/Rule of Law/Anti-Corruption 
 
A.  Major Strengths Identified 
The democratically elected government is improving the rule of law. 
Evidence includes:  the court system is functioning, though with 
serious resource constraints; customs receipts are channeled 
directly into state coffers; and the Ministry of Finance must clear 
on all disbursements to ministries and public bodies. 
 
B.  Major Issues/Problems Identified 
 
DAKAR 00002459  002 OF 002 
 
 
The Government has difficulty paying civil sector and military 
personnel on time.  The Government must move rapidly to reform and 
downsize the bloated and outdated military, including creating a 
military retirement system which will be costly and difficult to 
implement without significant outside assistance. 
 
III.  Poverty Reduction 
 
A.  Major Strengths Identified 
The new government is expected to resubmit the National Poverty 
Reduction Strategy Paper (DENARP) for further review. 
 
B.  Major Issues/Problems Identified 
During 2003, the dismissal of the Assembly and the increasingly 
autocratic behavior of ex-President Kumba Yala led to World Bank and 
IMF rejection of Guinea-Bissau's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper 
(PRSP).  The GOGB is working on a draft renewed PRSP and plans to 
submit this document to the WB/IMF Executive Boards in late 2006 or 
early 2007. 
 
Of 1.6 million people, 58.9 percent of the men and 82 percent of the 
women are illiterate, including a majority of members of the 
National Popular Assembly (ANP). 
 
IV.  Workers' Rights/Child Labor/Human Rights 
 
A.  Major Strengths Identified 
In March 2001, with U.N. support, a tri-partite National Council for 
Social Consultation (CNCS) was legally established and began 
functioning.  The Council conducts collective consultations on 
salary issues and on draft legislation related to labor issues.  The 
ANP ratified Convention 182 on the worst forms of child labor in 
July 2002.  The Constitution grants all civilian workers the right 
to form and join trade unions. 
 
The right to strike and protection against retribution is 
guaranteed. 
 
Guinea-Bissau does not engage in gross violations of internationally 
recognized human rights. 
 
B.  Major Issues/Problems Identified 
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is practiced widely.  Child labor, 
including some forced child labor, is a problem.  Institutions 
created to work for the elimination of the worst forms of child 
labor are not effective because of a continuing severe economic 
crisis. 
 
V.  International Terrorism/U.S. National Security 
 
A.  Major Strengths Identified 
Guinea-Bissau has been a vocal supporter of U.S. anti-terrorist 
actions, and does not engage in activities that undermine U.S. 
national security or foreign policy interests. 
 
B.  Major Issues/Problems Identified 
In 2006 there were credible, public reports of significant 
quantities of cocaine transiting Guinea-Bissau en route to Europe. 
Guinea-Bissau is a preferred transit point in West Africa for 
traffickers because of the government's inability to monitor and 
control its borders and the corruptibility of officials who do not 
receive regular salaries. 
 
Jackson