Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
00. Editorial
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
2011/05/25
2011/05/26
2011/05/27
2011/05/28
2011/05/29
2011/05/30
2011/05/31
2011/06/01
2011/06/02
2011/06/03
2011/06/04
2011/06/05
2011/06/06
2011/06/07
2011/06/08
2011/06/09
2011/06/10
2011/06/11
2011/06/12
2011/06/13
2011/06/14
2011/06/15
2011/06/16
2011/06/17
2011/06/18
2011/06/19
2011/06/20
2011/06/21
2011/06/22
2011/06/23
2011/06/24
2011/06/25
2011/06/26
2011/06/27
2011/06/28
2011/06/29
2011/06/30
2011/07/01
2011/07/02
2011/07/04
2011/07/05
2011/07/06
2011/07/07
2011/07/08
2011/07/10
2011/07/11
2011/07/12
2011/07/13
2011/07/14
2011/07/15
2011/07/16
2011/07/17
2011/07/18
2011/07/19
2011/07/20
2011/07/21
2011/07/22
2011/07/23
2011/07/25
2011/07/27
2011/07/28
2011/07/29
2011/07/31
2011/08/01
2011/08/02
2011/08/03
2011/08/05
2011/08/06
2011/08/07
2011/08/08
2011/08/10
2011/08/11
2011/08/12
2011/08/13
2011/08/15
2011/08/16
2011/08/17
2011/08/19
2011/08/21
2011/08/22
2011/08/23
2011/08/24
2011/08/25
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Antananarivo
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Alexandria
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embasy Bonn
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Belfast
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Cotonou
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chiang Mai
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Chengdu
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
DIR FSINFATC
Consulate Dusseldorf
Consulate Durban
Consulate Dubai
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Guatemala
Embassy Grenada
Embassy Georgetown
Embassy Gaborone
Consulate Guayaquil
Consulate Guangzhou
Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Hong Kong
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Krakow
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Consulate Kaduna
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Lome
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Libreville
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Leipzig
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Mission Geneva
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Mogadishu
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maseru
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Merida
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Matamoros
Consulate Marseille
Embassy Nouakchott
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Praia
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Podgorica
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Ponta Delgada
Consulate Peshawar
REO Mosul
REO Kirkuk
REO Hillah
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Surabaya
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy Tirana
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Mission CD Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
US Delegation FEST TWO
UNVIE
UN Rome
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vientiane
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ADANA
ASEC
AFIN
AMGT
AE
AORC
AID
AR
AO
AU
ASEAN
AGOA
AFGHANISTAN
AFFAIRS
AMED
APER
ASECARP
APEC
AEMR
AS
AA
ANET
AFLU
ABLD
AL
ASUP
AJ
APECO
AMER
ABUD
AODE
AM
AFSN
AESC
AND
AG
ALOW
AROC
AVIANFLU
ATRN
ACOA
AEGR
AMGMT
AADP
AFSI
ACABQ
APRM
AZ
AIDS
ASE
AGAO
ADCO
ABDALLAH
ARF
AIDAC
ACOTA
ASCH
AC
ASEG
AGR
ACS
AMCHAMS
AN
AMIA
ASIG
ADPM
ADB
ANARCHISTS
ALOWAR
ARM
AUC
AINF
AINT
AORG
AY
AVIAN
AMEDCASCKFLO
AK
ARSO
ARABBL
ASO
ANTITERRORISM
ARABL
AOWC
AGRICULTURE
ALJAZEERA
AMTC
AFINM
AOCR
ABER
ARR
AFPK
ASSEMBLY
ASSK
AZE
AORCYM
AINR
AGMT
AEC
ACKM
APRC
AIN
ASCC
AFPREL
ASED
APERTH
ASFC
ASECTH
AFSA
AOMS
AORCO
ANTXON
ARC
AFAF
ADIP
AIAG
AFARI
AEMED
AORL
AX
ASECAF
AOPC
ASECAFIN
AFZAL
APCS
AMB
AGUIRRE
AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL
AIT
ARCH
AMEX
ALI
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AORCD
AVIATION
ARAS
AINFCY
ACBAQ
AOPR
AREP
ALEXANDER
ATRD
AEIR
AOIC
ABLDG
ASEX
AFR
ASCE
ATRA
ASEK
AER
ALOUNI
AMCT
AVERY
APR
AMAT
AEMRS
ASPA
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ALL
AECL
ACAO
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORD
AFL
AME
ADM
ASECPHUM
AGIT
ABT
ASECVE
AGUILAR
AT
ABMC
ALZUGUREN
ANGEL
ASR
ANTONIO
BMGT
BEXP
BM
BG
BL
BA
BR
BTA
BO
BY
BBSR
BLUE
BK
BF
BTIO
BELLVIEW
BE
BU
BN
BH
BD
BC
BTC
BILAT
BT
BX
BRUSSELS
BP
BB
BRPA
BUSH
BURMA
BMENA
BESP
BIT
BBG
BGD
BMEAID
BAGHDAD
BEN
BIO
BMOT
BWC
BLUNT
BURNS
BUT
BGMT
BAIO
BCW
BOEHNER
BFIF
BOL
BASHAR
BIMSTEC
BOU
BIDEN
BZ
BFIN
BTRA
BI
BHUM
BOIKO
BERARDUCCI
BOUCHAIB
BORDER
BEXPC
BTIU
BTT
BIOS
BEXB
BGPGOV
BOND
BLR
CE
CG
CH
CVR
CASC
CU
CI
CD
CO
CDG
CB
CJAN
CPAS
COM
CVIS
CMGT
CT
CENTCOM
CNARC
CTERR
COUNTER
CHIEF
CDC
CTR
CBW
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CY
CA
CM
CS
CWC
CN
CITES
CF
CWG
CIVS
CFIS
CASCC
CROATIA
CONS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CASA
COE
CJ
CHR
CODEL
CR
CBC
CACS
CHERTOFF
CAS
CONTROL
CONDITIONS
CONDOLEEZZA
CITEL
CV
CLINTON
CHG
CZ
CON
CTBT
CEN
CRIMES
COMMERCE
CLOK
CRISTINA
CFED
CARC
CND
CTM
CARICOM
COUNTRYCLEARANCE
CBTH
CHINA
CSW
CICTE
CJUS
CYPRUS
CW
CAMBODIA
CENSUS
CIDA
CRIME
CBG
CBE
CMGMT
CAIO
CEC
CARSON
CPCTC
CEDAW
COMESA
CVIA
CWCM
CEA
COSI
CAPC
CGEN
COPUOS
CGOPRC
COETRD
CKGR
CFE
CQ
CITT
CIC
CARIB
CVIC
CLO
CAFTA
CVISU
CHRISTOPHER
CACM
CIAT
CDB
CIS
CUL
CHAO
CNC
CL
CSEP
COMMAND
CENTER
COL
CAN
CAJC
CUIS
CONSULAR
CLMT
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CAC
CROS
CIO
CPUOS
CKOR
CVPR
CONG
CONTROLS
CEPTER
CVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGKIRF
CDCE
DPOL
DEMARCHE
DHS
DR
DA
DISENGAGEMENT
DEMOCRATIC
DEFENSE
DJ
DY
DARFUR
DHRF
DEA
DTRO
DPRK
DO
DARFR
DOC
DRL
DK
DOJ
DTRA
DOMESTIC
DAC
DOD
DEAX
DIEZ
DEOC
DELTAVIOLENCE
DCOM
DMINE
DRC
DCG
DPKO
DOMESTICPOLITICS
DE
DB
DOT
DEPT
DOE
DHLAKAMA
DHSX
DS
DKEM
DAO
DCM
DANIEL
DEM
DAVID
DCRM
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
FR
FREEDOM
FINREF
FJ
FI
FRELIMO
FOREIGN
FAA
FETHI
FAS
FTAA
FRB
FAO
FCS
FINANCE
FWS
FTA
FEMA
FDA
FLU
FRANCISCO
FBI
FORCE
FO
FARC
FK
FT
FCSC
FAC
FM
FMGT
FINV
FCSCEG
FARM
FERNANDO
FINR
FIN
FINE
FIR
FDIC
FOR
FOI
FCUL
FKLU
FMLN
FISO
FIXED
GM
GMUS
GG
GR
GE
GAZA
GT
GH
GZ
GJ
GLOBAL
GV
GABY
GOI
GA
GCC
GB
GY
GATT
GC
GUAM
GEORGE
GTIP
GOV
GOMEZ
GUTIERREZ
GL
GKGIC
GF
GU
GWI
GARCIA
GTMO
GN
GANGS
GIPNC
GAERC
GREGG
GUILLERMO
GASPAR
GERARD
GI
HK
HR
HUMANR
HUMAN
HO
HA
HUMANRIGHTS
HU
HHS
HIV
HUM
HRKAWC
HILLEN
HILLARY
HDP
HUMRIT
HSTC
HUMANITARIAN
HCOPIL
HADLEY
HURI
HL
HRETRD
HOURANI
HG
HARRIET
HESHAM
HI
HNCHR
HARRY
HRECON
HRC
HOSTAGES
HEBRON
HUMOR
HSWG
HYMPSK
HECTOR
HN
HYDE
HUD
HRPGOV
HIGHLIGHTS
ID
ILC
IS
IZ
ICAO
IMO
ITU
IR
IAEA
ICRC
IPROP
IT
IBRD
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ISSUES
ITRA
IV
IO
IGAD
IRAQ
IN
IMF
ICTR
ISCON
IADB
IDB
IEA
INR
IWC
ICCAT
ILO
INMARSAT
IOM
ICJ
IQ
ISPA
ITRD
IPR
INTELSAT
ISN
IAHRC
INTERNAL
IFAD
IICA
IHO
IRAN
IL
IRCE
IC
INTELLECTUAL
IRM
IE
ICTY
IDLI
IFO
ISCA
INF
INL
ISRAEL
INV
IBB
INFLUENZA
ISPL
ITER
ITIA
INRA
ISAF
IACHR
INTERPOL
IFR
IRS
INRB
IEF
ISAAC
ICC
INDO
IIP
IATTC
INAUGURATION
IND
INS
IZPREL
IACI
IEFIN
INNP
ILAB
IA
IMTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IFIN
IRAJ
IX
ICG
IF
ITPHUM
ITA
IP
IACW
IK
IUCN
IZEAID
IRPE
IDA
ISLAMISTS
ITF
INRO
IBET
IDP
IRC
ISO
ICES
IRMO
ITPGOV
IQNV
IMSO
IRDB
IMET
INCB
IFRC
JA
JO
JP
JM
JCIC
JOHN
JE
JEFFERY
JS
JUS
JN
JOHNNIE
JAMES
JKUS
JOSEPH
JML
JAWAD
JSRP
JIMENEZ
JOSE
JKJUS
JK
JAPAN
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
LE
LU
LH
LA
LG
LO
LY
LANTERN
LI
LABOR
LORAN
LTTE
LT
LAS
LAB
LAW
LVPR
LARREA
LEBIK
LAURA
LS
LOTT
LOVE
LR
LEON
LAVIN
LGAT
LV
LAOS
LOG
LN
LB
MOPS
MO
MARR
ML
MASS
MZ
MR
MNUC
MX
MV
MCC
MY
MEDIA
MTCRE
MG
MCAP
MOPPS
MP
MI
MK
MC
MD
MA
MU
MASC
MW
MT
MEPP
MN
MTCR
MH
MEPI
MIL
MNUCPTEREZ
MMAR
MICHAEL
MUNC
MDC
MPOS
MONUC
MAR
MGMT
MAS
MEPN
MENDIETA
MARIA
MONTENEGRO
MOOPS
MSG
MARITIME
MURRAY
MUKASEY
MOTO
MCA
MFO
MEX
MRSEC
MMED
MACP
MAAR
MINUSTAH
MCCONNELL
MAPP
MGT
MARQUEZ
MANUEL
MNUR
MCCAIN
MF
MOHAMMAD
MOHAMED
MNU
MFA
MILITANTS
MINORITIES
MTS
MLS
MILI
MIAH
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MED
MARAD
MNVC
MINURSO
MNUCUN
MIK
MARK
MBM
MPP
MILITARY
MAPS
MNUK
MILA
MTRRE
MACEDONIA
MICHEL
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
MPS
MARRGH
MRCRE
MTRE
MORALES
MAP
MCTRE
MHUC
MOPSGRPARM
MOROCCO
MCAPS
NL
NU
NS
NI
NPT
NATO
NO
NG
NATEU
NSF
NZ
NAS
NP
NDP
NLD
NGO
NEPAD
NAFTA
NASA
NEA
NGUYEN
NIH
NK
NIPP
NONE
NR
NANCY
NEGROPONTE
NRR
NERG
NSSP
NSG
NSFO
NE
NATSIOS
NFSO
NATIONAL
NTDB
NT
NCD
NTSB
NRC
NELSON
NAM
NH
NPG
NEC
NSC
NFATC
NMFS
NATOIRAQ
NAR
NZUS
NARC
NCCC
NA
NC
NEW
NRG
NUIN
NOVO
NATOPREL
NEY
NV
NICHOLAS
NPA
NW
NARCOTICS
NORAD
NOAA
NON
NTTC
NKNNP
NMNUC
NUMBERING
ODIP
OIIP
OPRC
OSCE
OREP
OTRA
OPET
OSCI
OVIP
OECD
OCII
OUALI
OPDC
OEXC
OFPD
OPIC
OFDP
OPCW
OECV
OAS
OM
OMIG
ODAG
OPREP
ORA
OIC
OEXCSCULKPAO
OIG
OASS
OFFICIALS
ORTA
OSAC
OIL
OIE
OEXP
OPEC
OPDAT
OMS
OES
OHI
OMAR
OCRA
OFSO
OCBD
OSTA
OAO
ONA
OTP
ORC
OAU
OXEC
OA
ODPC
OPDP
OVIPPRELUNGANU
OASC
OSHA
OPCD
OTR
OPPI
OPCR
OF
OFDPQIS
OSIC
OHUM
OSTRA
OASCC
OBSP
OFDA
OPICEAGR
OIM
OGAC
OTA
OTRAORP
OPPC
OESC
OCEA
OVP
ON
OPAD
OTAR
OCS
ODC
OTRD
OCED
OSD
ORUE
OREG
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
RS
REFUGEES
RW
RP
RELFREE
RO
REGIONAL
RIGHTS
REACTION
REPORT
RU
RENAMO
RIGHTSPOLMIL
REFORM
RM
REFUGEE
REL
RELATIONS
ROW
RREL
REGION
RATIFICATION
RBI
RICE
ROOD
RODENAS
RUIZ
RODHAM
ROBERT
RGY
ROY
REUBEN
RELIGIOUS
RUEHZO
RODRIGUEZ
RUEUN
RELAM
RSP
RF
RSO
RCMP
REO
ROSS
RPTS
RENE
REID
RUPREL
RMA
RI
REMON
RPEL
RFE
RFIN
RA
RAFAEL
RAY
RUS
RPREL
ROBERTG
RECIN
RAMONTEIJELO
SNAR
SP
SN
SMIG
SL
SOCI
SU
SG
SF
SENV
SZ
SOE
SCUL
SY
SO
SR
SYR
SE
SA
SW
SIPDIS
SCIENCE
SADC
SI
SCI
SOCIETY
SC
SAARC
STR
SECRETARY
SANC
SSH
ST
SNA
SGWI
SEP
SOCIS
SETTLEMENTS
SPECIALIST
SK
SHUM
START
STET
SCVL
SREF
SCHUL
SCUIL
SYRIA
SECURITY
SPCE
SYAI
SMIL
SOWGC
STEPHEN
SNRV
SKCA
SENSITIVE
SECI
SNAP
SPP
SCUD
SOM
SPECI
SMIGBG
SENC
SCRM
SGNV
SECTOR
SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR
SENVSXE
SASIAIN
SACU
SENVSPL
SWMN
STEINBERG
SOPN
SOCR
SCOI
SCRS
SILVASANDE
SWE
SARS
SNARIZ
SUDAN
SENVQGR
SM
SNARKTFN
SAAD
SD
SAN
SIPRNET
STATE
SENS
SUBJECT
SFNV
SECSTATE
SSA
SPCVIS
SOI
SOFA
SCULKPAOECONTU
SPTER
SKSAF
SENVKGHG
SHI
SEVN
SANR
SPSTATE
SMITH
SCOM
SH
SNARCS
SNARN
SIPRS
SNARM
SIPDI
SCPR
SNIG
SELAB
SULLIVAN
SENVENV
SECDEF
SOLIC
SOIC
SPAS
SASC
SOSI
SEC
SEN
SENVCASCEAIDID
TU
TH
TW
TSPA
TRGY
TPHY
TBIO
TIFA
TS
TZ
TX
TSPL
TT
TK
TC
TINT
TERFIN
TERRORISM
TIP
TURKEY
TI
TECHNOLOGY
TNGD
TRSY
TRAFFICKING
TOPEC
TPSL
TP
TD
TR
TA
TIO
TREATY
TO
THPY
TECH
TRADE
TPSA
TG
TAGS
TF
TRAD
THKSJA
TVBIO
TNDG
TN
TBIOZK
TWI
TV
TWL
TRT
TWRO
TSRY
TTPGOV
TAUSCHER
TRBY
TRBIO
TL
TPKO
TIA
TGRY
TSPAM
TREL
TNAR
TBI
TFIN
TPHYPA
TWCH
THOMMA
THOMAS
TERROR
TRY
TBID
TPP
TE
THANH
TJ
TBKIO
UNGA
USUN
UN
UG
UNSC
UK
UP
US
UNCTAD
UNVIE
UNHRC
USTR
UNAMA
UNCRIME
UNESCO
UV
UNDP
UNHCR
UNCSD
UNCHR
UZ
USAID
UNEP
UNO
UNPUOS
UY
UNDC
UNCITRAL
UNAUS
UNCND
UA
UNMIK
USTDA
USEU
USDA
UNICEF
UR
UNFICYP
USNC
USTRRP
UNODC
UNRWA
UNOMIG
USTRPS
USAU
USCC
UNEF
UNGAPL
UNFPA
UNSCE
USSC
UGA
UEU
UNMIC
UNTAC
UNION
UNCLASSIFIED
USPS
UNA
UMIK
USOAS
UNMOVIC
UNFA
UNAIDS
UNCHC
USGS
UNSE
UNRCR
UNTERR
USG
UE
UAE
UNWRA
UNCSW
UNSCR
UNCHS
UNDESCO
UNPAR
UNC
UB
UNSCS
UKXG
UNGACG
UNREST
UNHR
USPTO
UNFCYP
USCG
UNIDROIT
UNSCD
UPU
UNBRO
UNECE
USTRUWR
UNCC
UNESCOSCULPRELPHUMKPALCUIRXFVEKV
VM
VE
VT
VETTING
VN
VZ
VIS
VC
VTPREL
VIP
VTEAID
VTEG
VOA
VA
VTIZ
VANG
VISIT
VO
VENZ
VAT
VI
VEPREL
VEN
WFP
WTO
WHO
WTRO
WBG
WMO
WIPO
WA
WI
WSIS
WHA
WCL
WE
WMN
WEBZ
WS
WAR
WZ
WMD
WW
WILLIAM
WEET
WAEMU
WM
WWBG
WWT
WWARD
WITH
WMDT
WTRQ
WCO
WEU
WALTER
WRTO
WB
WHTI
WBEG
WCI
WEF
WAKI
WHOA
WGC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08PRETORIA1312, SOUTH AFRICA ECONOMIC NEWS WEEKLY NEWSLETTER JUNE 13, 2008
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.
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. #08PRETORIA1312.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08PRETORIA1312 | 2008-06-14 07:25 | 2011-08-24 01:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Pretoria |
VZCZCXRO9462
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHSA #1312/01 1660725
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 140725Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4790
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUCPCIM/CIMS NTDB WASHDC
RUCPDC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEHJO/AMCONSUL JOHANNESBURG 8107
RUEHTN/AMCONSUL CAPE TOWN 5687
RUEHDU/AMCONSUL DURBAN 9894
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 PRETORIA 001312
DEPT FOR AF/S/MTABLER-STONE; AF/EPS; EB/IFD/OMA
USDOC FOR 4510/ITA/MAC/AME/OA/DIEMOND
TREASURY FOR TRINA RAND
USTR FOR COLEMAN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN EINV ETRD EMIN EPET ENRG BEXP KTDB SENV
PGOV, SF
SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA ECONOMIC NEWS WEEKLY NEWSLETTER JUNE 13, 2008
ISSUE
PRETORIA 00001312 001.2 OF 006
¶1. (U) Summary. This is Volume 8, issue 24 of U.S. Embassy
Pretoria's South Africa Economic News Weekly Newsletter.
Topics of this week's newsletter are:
- World Bank Upbeat on SA Economy
- Another Interest Rate Hike
- Current Account Deficit Raises Concern
- Electricity Problems Likely to Harm Economic Growth Objectives
- Banks Tighten Discount Screws on Home Buyers
- Cash Is King as Rate Hikes Sting Shoppers
- World Economic Forum on Africa
- SA Air Force Pilots Jet-Off to Australia
- Delta Optimistic About Africa Expansion
- Airports on Track for 2010, But ACSA Concerned about High
Borrowing Costs
- Guatrain on Track for 2010
- Motor Industry Running on Empty
- Mercedes-Benz SA Expands Truck Range
- Electricity Distribution Maintenance Backlog - Another
Electricity Crisis Looms
- Minister Says Suez Energy Submitted Binding Offer for IPP
Project
- U.S. Gold Miner in SA
- Canadian Business Chamber Flays SA
- Unions Give Telkom Silent Treatment
- Dubai World Plans to Expand in SA
End Summary.
-------------------------------
World Bank Upbeat on SA Economy
-------------------------------
¶2. (U) The World Bank expects SA's economy to grow by a robust 4.2%
this year, slightly above official estimates of 4.0% and surpassing
consensus forecasts for a sharp slowdown prompted by higher interest
rates, power shortages and global risk aversion. Consensus
forecasts from a June Reuters poll predicted SA's pace of growth
will slow to 3.4% this year from an average of 5% over each of the
past four years. The World Bank 2008 Global Development Finance
Report author Hans Timmer said rising investment in power plants and
other infrastructure would help offset waning consumer demand and
the bleaker global investment mood. He emphasized that "there is
underlying growth potential in SA and it will continue". Timmer
said household consumption, which accounts for about 60% of SA's
economy, was slowing gradually while investment was rising rapidly.
SA's main investment indicator surged to 20% of gross domestic
product (GDP) last year from 15% in 2000, spurred mainly by capital
investment by state entities. The World Bank sees economic growth
accelerating to 4.4% in 2009 and 4.8% in 2010, also above official
forecasts. (Business Day, June 11, 2008)
--------------------------
Another Interest Rate Hike
--------------------------
¶3. (U) The SA Reserve Bank's (SARB's) monetary policy committee has
raised its key lending rate, the "repo" rate by 50 basis points to
12%, taking the prime lending rate to 15.5%. The consensus forecast
by 10 leading economists polled by I-Net Bridge was for a
100-basis-point increase in the repo rate. The SARB has already
lifted its repo rate by 500-basis-points since June 2006, by 50
basis points each time. SARB Governor Tito Mboweni said "the
central message is that things are going to get difficult before
they get better. We all need to act responsibly (when spending)."
(Fin24, June 12, 2008)
--------------------------------------
Current Account Deficit Raises Concern
--------------------------------------
¶4. (U) Treasury Director-General Lesetja Kganyago, commented that SA
Q4. (U) Treasury Director-General Lesetja Kganyago, commented that SA
is finding it increasingly difficult to finance its current account
deficit, which reached 7.5% of gross domestic product in the fourth
quarter of 2007. He said global financial market turmoil was
contributing to investors opting for other perceived safer-haven
markets. SA's low savings rates, coupled with rising investment
levels, mean that the country is heavily dependent on foreign
savings to finance the large current account imbalance. The
SAG-led, multi-billion investment program is likely to keep the
current account deficit under pressure over the next few years.
This increasing difficulty in financing the current account deficit
raises the depreciation risk associated with the rand. This week,
the rand lost nearly 1% of its value against the U.S. dollar and
PRETORIA 00001312 002.2 OF 006
about 0.3% on a trade-weighted basis on concerns of slower global
growth and the impact of high oil prices on international inflation.
The Treasury is trying to mitigate the currency risk by budgeting
for surpluses over the next few years, stating that the SAG is
"going to have to save" on behalf of South Africans who "love
spending their money". (ABSA Capital Research, June 11, 2008)
-----------------------------------
Electricity Problems Likely to Harm
Economic Growth Objectives
-----------------------------------
¶5. (U) SA Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said that the
SAG's socio-economic development goals may be compromised if the
country's electricity problems are not addressed. Although a
tighter monetary policy environment contributed to the growth
slowdown in the first quarter of 2008, the impact of electricity
supply disruptions was clearly noticeable in GDP growth data,
especially in the mining sector. The disruption of mining
operations (mining contracted by 22% q/q) contributed to overall GDP
growth decreasing from an annualized 5.3% q/q in the forth quarter
of 2007 to an annualized 2.1% q/q in the first quarter of 2008.
Moreover, Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica expects mines
to continue to operate with 90-95% of normal electricity supplies
until supply constraints have been addressed. Economists expect the
electricity supply constraints to pose a significant risk to the
country's medium-term growth prospects. Eskom CEO Jacob Maroga
noted that current planning timelines and budgets are going to be
missed, which may prolong the electricity crisis. Apart from the
electricity supply problems, electricity tariff hikes are likely to
worsen the inflation outlook and add upward pressure on interest
rates. (Eskom applied for a 60% increase in 2008-09 and NERSA,
national energy regulator, is expected to announce a decision on
June 18) (ABSA Newsletter, June 10, 2008)
--------------------------------------------
Banks Tighten Discount Screws on Home Buyers
--------------------------------------------
¶6. (U) Integer Home Loan Group CEO Simon Stockley said Absa Bank and
First National Bank had changed their credit policies and now
required borrowers to deposit at least 5% of the value of the
property to secure a loan. Stockley added that "banks are not going
to be as aggressive about offering discounts as they may have been
in the past. You are not going to be offered prime minus 2%."
Stockley said this had created a "near storm" in a depressed housing
market, with first-time home owners affected the most. "Consumers
are getting a double raw deal from banks. Not only has the SARB
raised interest rate rise by another 50-basis-points on June 12, but
banks are reducing the discount on the prime lending rate at which
they offer home loans to customers," he said. (Business Day, June
11, 2008)
-----------------------------------------
Cash Is King as Rate Hikes Sting Shoppers
-----------------------------------------
¶7. (U) The credit binge seems to be over, with consumers turning to
cash instead of credit. Rising food and fuel prices as well as
higher interest rates are putting pressure on disposable incomes,
Qhigher interest rates are putting pressure on disposable incomes,
making it harder for consumers to service their debt, which will
have long-term consequences for credit sales. JD Group Chairman
David Sussman said the furniture retailer saw a decline in credit
sales of 19% accompanied by a 10% rise in cash sales in the
half-year to February 2008 as fuel, food, and interest rates were
still climbing. RMB Asset Management Retail Analyst Evan Walker
said the debt cycle will have a far-reaching effect on retail sales
even when the interest rate cycle turns, as heavily indebted
consumers need at least three years of normal economic growth to
service bad debts. According to clothing retailer Edcon, which owns
Edgars and Jet, credit sales in the year to May slowed, although
total sales rose 8.9%. The group, which has more than 4 million
active credit card accounts, said credit sales accounted for 53% of
total retail sales during 2008, down from 60% in the 2007 financial
year. Walker said a shift to cash sales shows "the brakes are
really coming on". He said the shift to cash was caused by more
people defaulting on in-store credit and fewer people opening credit
accounts. The number of account customers who can spend on credit
is shrinking, causing the ratio to shift to cash. He expects about
12% of SA's total credit population to come under pressure and
default on loans. Consumers are paying off credit, and have learned
discipline as a result of the new credit act, which some view as
having come too late to protect a burgeoning middle-class.
PRETORIA 00001312 003.2 OF 006
(Business Day, June 10, 2008)
------------------------------
World Economic Forum on Africa
------------------------------
¶8. (U) Nearly 900 business, government, and civil society leaders
from 50 countries participated in this year's World Economic Forum
on Africa in Cape Town on June 6. The forum opened with a
brainstorming session where education, food security, robust
infrastructure, economic growth and investment, and visionary
leadership were voted as the top drivers of change. President Mbeki
said, "it is necessary to refashion the education system so that
when young people come up they are better able to join the economy."
Forty leaders from across the continent also launched an Africa
Gender Parity Group. (World Economic Forum Press Release, June 6,
2008.)
----------------------------------------
SA Air Force Pilots Jet-Off to Australia
----------------------------------------
¶9. (U) The South African Air Force (SAAF) has lost four pilots to
Australia this year - a big loss for a service struggling to
maintain staff and training levels. The Royal Australian Air Force
(RAAF) has also recruited nine other officers with air combat,
administrative and logistical expertise. In addition, the SAAF has
lost two aircraft technicians, a communications technician, and a
clerk from its enlisted ranks to Australia. The RAAF denies charges
that it actively recruits personnel under its "lateral" foreigner
recruitment program. "A RAAF lateral recruiting team will not be
visiting SA," said the Australian Regional Defense Captain Jonathan
Mead. It is unclear which country is the main destination for SA
Defense Force and Air Force personnel, but the departure of trained
personnel is a huge blow. Len le Roux (head of the Institute of
Strategic Studies' Pretoria office and a retired Air Force
Major-General) said, "there are squadrons where there are 20
aircraft and about four or five pilots." SA's armed forces have long
complained about a lack of funding to maintain training levels and
retain staff. The Air Force lost more than 240 highly skilled
aircraft technicians in 2005. The navy is suffering the same
problem. "The Defense Department is indeed concerned with regard to
the loss of skilled personnel," Chief Director of Maritime Strategy
Bernard Teuteberg said. Air forces always struggle to hold onto
pilots in peacetime, Le Roux says. "Government salaries do not
compare with those on the outside. He noted that "a guy flying a
Boeing to England and back twice a week...gets the same salary as
the Chief of the Air Force." The fact that the Australians are
recruiting SA pilots shows they are having trouble hanging onto
their own pilots, Le Roux added. (Business Day, Weekender, June
7-8, 2008)
---------------------------------------
Delta Optimistic About Africa Expansion
---------------------------------------
¶10. (U) Delta Airlines Sales Manager for Southern Africa Margaret
Copeland is optimistic about Delta's expansion strategy in Africa.
Delta started direct service from JFK to Cairo and from JFK (via
Dakar) to Cape Town on June 3. The new service to Cape Town will
leave Cape Town four days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays,
Qleave Cape Town four days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays,
and Saturdays. Delta plans on adding a second daily flight to Lagos
and starting service to Nairobi (also via Dakar) in June 2009, after
having been postponed a year as a result of the recent violence in
Kenya. The airline is creating a mini-hub in Dakar for its Africa
service. Copeland noted that sales for the Cape Town route were
brisk (about 65%, with even higher occupancy in business class) and
expected sales to pick-up once the winter season ended. The service
from Cape Town will also carry cargo, including flowers, fish,
trophy animals and perhaps fresh fruit to the U.S. In the
long-term, Delta would like to increase the frequency of the service
to Cape Town to daily service and switch to from the current Boeing
767-300ER to a larger Boeing 767-400ER if passenger traffic
increases. The Boeing 767-300ER accommodates 217 passengers (36
business class and 181 economy class seats). Delta is also
interested in expanding service from the U.S. to Morocco and Angola
to strengthen its presence in Africa.
---------------------------------------
Airports on Track for 2010, But ACSA Concerned about High
Borrowing Costs
---------------------------------------
¶11. (U) Airports Company of SA (ACSA) CEO Monhla Hlahla announced
PRETORIA 00001312 004.2 OF 006
that SA's three major airports - OR Tambo International, Cape Town
and Durban International - would be ready by 2010 for the thousands
of FIFA World Cup visitors. She noted that ACSA had modified its
existing expansion plans when the games were announced to
accommodate the peak traffic arriving in 2010 during the weeks of
the World Cup. Hlahla said about 350,000 more passengers would be
arriving in SA during the event. The company will spend R22 billion
($2.8 billion) towards the building and renovation of the country's
airport infrastructure. The smaller airports in Bloemfontein, Port
Elizabeth and East London are also being refurbished. However, ACSA
officials noted that it may have to postpone some of its projects
because of the current high cost of borrowing. The company plans to
raise about R10 billion ($1.3 billion) to meet its financial need
for airport construction and up-grades. Hlahla said, "It has been
very difficult. We issued a bond program and we tried to borrow
against the program, but the prices were just too high. If the cost
of capital continues the way it has, we may have to reconsider some
of our development and postpone them to a later stage." ACSA is
also faced with serious security challenges at its major airports.
It will spend R46 million ($5.8 million) on security at OR Tambo
International Airport ahead of the World Cup. (Business Day and
SABC News, June 11, 2008)
--------------------------
Guatrain on Track for 2010
--------------------------
¶12. (U) Nearly 5 km of the 15 km underground route of the R25
billion ($3.2 billion) Gautrain project has been completed. The 80
km project will connect Johannesburg, Pretoria, and OR Tambo
International Airport by 2011. The airport link to Johannesburg is
expected to be completed in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The
Gautrain system will include park-and-ride facilities and 150 buses
to provide local transport in a ten-kilometer radius around each
station. Gautrain's 24 trains will be maintained and serviced at a
new train depot. A bus depot will also house the Gautrain's
dedicated fleet of 150 luxury buses. Construction of these
facilities is well advanced, with the bus depot administration
building already complete and the train depot offices and
maintenance workshops targeted for completion within the next few
months. (Engineering News, June 6, 2008)
-------------------------------
Motor Industry Running on Empty
-------------------------------
¶13. (U) Four years of booming motor industry sales accompanied by
huge investments have come to a halt as the industry faces
dealership closures and job losses. May vehicle sales (12,095
units) represented the largest decline in nine years. Sales in
three of the four market segments have decreased in 2008. Passenger
vehicle sales declined by 19%, light commercial vehicle sales were
down 9%, and medium commercial sales dropped by 0.4%. The only
market segment to experience growth was the heavy commercial vehicle
segment, which increased 15.6%. Analysts noted that the possibility
of further interest rate hikes was undermining vehicle sales.
(Business Day, June 2, 2008)
Q
------------------------------------
Mercedes-Benz SA Expands Truck Range
------------------------------------
¶14. (U) Mercedes-Benz SA (MBSA's) has expanded its Axor truck range
to include an extra-heavy-duty 6x4 truck tractor and freight
carrier. The Axor range was first introduced to SA at the end of
2003, and has since recorded sales of more than 1,650 units in the
extra-heavy segment of the truck market. MBSA Commercial Vehicle
Product Manager Peter Wraight stated that the new addition follows
"extensive market research". The new Axor 6x4 is available in 350
and 400 horsepower models. It is the "culmination of ten years of
planning and collaboration between Mercedes-Benz Germany, and the
local engineers at the truck research center in East London and
development centers in Turkey and Brazil," he said. MBSA Commercial
Vehicle Manager Kobus van Zyl said the new Axor enters the "most
competitive market for Mercedes-Benz worldwide", with more than 30
trucking companies vying for customers' attention. He added that
the booming SA truck market is expected to reach sales of more than
40,000 units in 2008 and continue to grow. The local truck market
PRETORIA 00001312 005.2 OF 006
broke through the 37,000 unit barrier in 2007, recording its best
sales performance ever - this while passenger vehicle sales limped
into negative territory. Van Zyl said the SA truck market could
reach 51,000 units by 2012, a level he believes is "definitely
sustainable". MBSA, the current market leader, is expected to
increase its share of the truck market from last year's 3,287 units,
to more than 4,400 units in 2008. The truck market is being driven
by factors such as SAG's infrastructure spending and increasing
demands on the freight market, which has been able to outpace the
current global economic turmoil. The first orders for the new Axor
range has come from coal haulers. Eskom indicated earlier this year
that the power crunch has increased its coal requirements
substantially, which has had a positive impact on the local
coal-mining and coal-hauling markets (and a negative impact on the
road system. (Engineering News, June 6, 2008)
--------------------------------------------
Electricity Distribution Maintenance Backlog - Another
Electricity Crisis Looms
--------------------------------------------
¶15. (U) Electricity authorities called for action to deal with a
large maintenance backlog that could further stifle economic growth.
SA Local Government Association Chairman Amos Masondo told the
Electricity Distribution Maintenance Summit on June 9, "the current
electrical infrastructure maintenance and refurbishment backlog is
estimated at R26.7 billion ($3.5 billion), on the basis of a recent
analysis." Speakers warned that underinvestment in ageing
infrastructure could plunge SA into another electricity crisis.
Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica told delegates that the
government had invested about $200 million annually into new
electricity distribution infrastructure, but admitted little money
had been injected into maintenance. She said, "the lack of
maintenance and refurbishment of the electricity distribution
infrastructure poses a threat to our economy." She continued, "The
upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup and the rapid economic growth of the
country demand more improvement on the capacity of the electricity
distribution infrastructure." The Ssummit also discussed the
stalled implementation of regional electricity distributors (REDS),
which will take over power distribution from municipalities. Deputy
President Phumzile Mlambo-Nguka told delegates there was resistance
to implementing this new system, but insisted there are mechanisms
to ensure that municipalities and Eskom would not lose out. Eskom
is embarking on a $50 billion electricity generation capital
expansion program. (Engineering News and Business Day, June 10,
2008)
-----------------------------------
Minister Says Suez Energy Submitted Binding Offer for IPP
Project
-----------------------------------
¶16. (U) Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica said in her
recent budget speech to Parliament that Suez Energy of France, which
was short-listed with U.S. firm AES, had shown a "strong commitment"
to becoming a developer of the Department of Minerals and Energy's
(DME) independent power producer (IPP) "peaking" project. AES
Q(DME) independent power producer (IPP) "peaking" project. AES
recently withdrew its offer for the project. DME announced the
receipt of a binding offer from a Suez-led consortium for the
construction of two open-cycle gas turbines totaling 1,000 MW.
Minister Sonjica qualified this as "an irreversible process of
establishing IPPs on the journey to achieving our target of 30%
private power generation". Sonjica again urged electricity users to
conserve more power, noting that the SAG was finalizing a regulatory
framework to ensure that the DME's Power Conservation Program was
enforced with penalties for excessive use and wastage of
electricity. (Engineering News, June 6, 2008)
---------------------
U.S. Gold Miner in SA
---------------------
¶17. (U) U.S.-based Eastern Goldfields recently bought Barbrook Gold
Mine in Mpumalanga for $10 million and plans to raise $30 million in
cash through a listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The
company said the funds would be used to complete development of the
Lily underground gold mine and a nearby metallurgical plant, also in
Mpumalanga. (Business Day, June 10, 2008)
----------------------------------
Canadian Business Chamber Flays SA
PRETORIA 00001312 006.2 OF 006
----------------------------------
¶18. (U) Canada-SA Chamber of Business President Bruce Shapiro
asserted at the June 9 African Mining Congress that SA's energy
crisis was of its own making and showed that leadership was
incompetent. Shapiro heads the Toronto-based, independent business
chamber which is focused on the resource sector. He cited a number
of other challenges in SA:
* Looming change in political leadership is a risk.
* Crime is the "Achilles heel" in SA.
* SA has not addressed sustainable water supply.
* Skilled labor shortages and obtaining work permits are problems.
* Beneficiation policies are wrong.
* Little has been done on HIV/AIDS.
* Processing of mineral licenses is slow.
* Lack of transparency and political uncertainty are issues.
-----------------------------------
Unions Give Telkom Silent Treatment
-----------------------------------
¶19. (U) Trade unions representing 70% of Telkom staff announced that
they would not engage in any further negotiations until the
fixed-line operator agreed to undertake a thorough investigation
into its outsourcing restructuring plans and signed a "no job loss"
agreement with them. The Communication Workers' Union (CWU),
Solidarity, and the SA Communications Union said they would oppose
the restructuring if it would lead to job losses. The unions are
conducting a study to determine the effects of the restructuring.
The findings will be submitted to the Independent Communication
Authority of SA (ICASA). "If Telkom's plans are approved, more than
90% of jobs in the company will be affected," they said. The unions
said Telkom's deadline for final approval for the restructuring,
which it wanted to achieve by August, would not be reached.
(Business Report, June 11, 2008)
---------------------------------
Dubai World Plans to Expand in SA
---------------------------------
¶20. (U) Dubai World Chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem told the World
Economic Forum on Africa that the keys to unlocking the potential of
Africa were investment in infrastructure and education. He noted
that, "with solid infrastructure and excellent human resources,
other developments such as real estate, retail properties and
tourism can be established, contributing further to the economy."
Dubai World, which is the investment arm of the Dubai government,
acquired a major shareholding in three SA wildlife reserves for an
undisclosed amount in March 2008. The company acquired Shamwari
Game Reserve in Eastern Cape, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in Western
Cape and Jock Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park. Sulayem was
reluctant to disclose the amounts his company would spend in SA, but
said the money would come from the $1 billion fund earmarked for
projects in Africa over the next five years, in addition to the $4
billion already committed. He said Dubai World would build more
luxury lodges in the wildlife reserves as well as a five-star hotel
and 60 private apartments at Pearl Valley Golf Estate in the Cape
vine lands. Dubai World is also expanding the Victoria & Alfred
(V&A) Waterfront in Cape Town to double the space available for
prospective hotel, leisure, and retail tenants. "Our projects for
Qprospective hotel, leisure, and retail tenants. "Our projects for
the V&A Waterfront expansion (as well as the) Pearl Valley hotel and
apartments and Shamwari lodges are in the planning stages," Sulayem
said. The company is formulating plans to make the Nkomazi game
reserve in the Mpumalaga Province eligible to become a World
Heritage site. The company will open a 24-bed luxury tented camp at
the game reserve in November. The development would also include
seven secluded five-star boutique hotels and lodges with a total of
120 beds, a 36-hole championship golf course, a residential estate,
25 luxury private residences and 425 "eco-residences". Projects
outside SA include a $70 million five-star hotel in the Comoros, and
a $250 million hotel in Djibouti. (Business Day and Dubai World
Press Release, June 6, 2008)
BOST