

Currently released so far... 6239 / 251,287
Articles
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
2010/12/24
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
2011/01/10
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
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Amsterdam
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lagos
Mission USNATO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
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 Strasbourg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Browse by tag
ASEC
AU
AORC
AF
AM
AFIN
AEMR
AR
ASIG
AMGT
AG
APER
AL
ABLD
ASUP
AA
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AE
AMED
AS
AGMT
APECO
AO
AFFAIRS
AJ
ACOA
AX
AROC
ATFN
ASEAN
AFGHANISTAN
ADCO
AFU
AER
ALOW
AODE
ABUD
ATRN
AID
AC
AVERY
APCS
CASC
CJAN
CVIS
CS
COUNTER
CD
CU
CI
CO
CG
CE
CA
CMGT
CH
CWC
CBW
CKGR
CR
CN
CPAS
CONS
CDG
CLINTON
CT
CJUS
CY
CV
COUNTERTERRORISM
CIA
CACM
CDB
CAN
COE
CM
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CF
CONDOLEEZZA
CARSON
CL
CIS
CODEL
CTM
CB
COM
ECON
EFIN
ETRD
EAIR
EAID
ET
EFIS
ENRG
EPET
ETTC
ER
EG
EINV
EAGR
ELAB
EUN
EWWT
ENGR
EMIN
ECIN
ENIV
ES
EC
ECPS
EIND
EI
EU
ENVI
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ELTN
EZ
EINT
ELN
EUR
EUNCH
EN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
ELECTIONS
EINVEFIN
ENNP
ECUN
EXTERNAL
EK
EFINECONCS
ECINECONCS
ECIP
EINDETRD
EUC
EREL
ENVR
ECA
ENERG
ENGY
ETRO
EFTA
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
ECONEFIN
EINVETC
EINN
ESA
ETC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ESENV
ETRDECONWTOCS
IR
IZ
IWC
IC
ILC
IO
IAEA
IN
IS
IT
ICRC
INTELSAT
ILO
IBRD
IMF
ICAO
IMO
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
ITRA
ISRAELI
ICJ
IACI
INTERPOL
ID
IV
ICTY
IQ
IPR
INRB
ITPHUM
IIP
IL
IA
INR
ITPGOV
IZPREL
IRC
INRA
INRO
IRAJ
IEFIN
IF
KE
KCRM
KDRG
KIPR
KCOR
KSCA
KBIO
KDEM
KMCA
KMPI
KNNP
KJUS
KOMC
KGHG
KSUM
KSTC
KIRF
KTIP
KWMN
KZ
KG
KTFN
KHLS
KPAO
KFRD
KTIA
KOLY
KCFE
KISL
KFLU
KPKO
KWBG
KTBT
KTDB
KOCI
KUNR
KAWK
KICC
KPAL
KSTH
KN
KS
KGIC
KNPP
KWAC
KMDR
KAWC
KBCT
KIDE
KFLO
KWMNCS
KSEP
KU
KNEI
KVPR
KACT
KRAD
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCIP
KSAF
KV
KSPR
KPRP
KFSC
KCRS
KR
KRFD
KX
KO
KPWR
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KFIN
KGCC
KPIN
KHIV
KPLS
KIRC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KGIT
KBTS
KPRV
KBTR
KERG
KWMM
KRVC
KNSD
KVIR
KNUP
KTER
KDDG
KHSA
KMRS
KHDP
KTLA
KPAK
KNAR
KREL
KPAI
KTEX
KCOM
KNNPMNUC
KPOA
KLIG
KHUM
KDEV
KNUC
KCFC
KREC
KOMS
KWWMN
MASS
MP
MARR
MOPS
MNUC
MX
MO
MCAP
MY
ML
MU
MIL
MC
MTRE
MA
MD
MTCRE
MEPI
MAR
MRCRE
MR
MV
MPOS
MZ
MEPP
MOPPS
MAPP
MASC
MT
MERCOSUR
MK
MDC
MI
MAPS
MCC
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MTCR
MG
OVIP
OREP
OTRA
OSCE
OECD
OIIP
OEXC
OPCW
OPIC
OPDC
OPRC
ODIP
OVP
OSCI
OAS
OFDP
OTR
OSAC
OIC
OFFICIALS
OIE
PREL
PGOV
PHUM
PTER
PE
PINR
PINS
PARMS
PARM
PHSA
PA
PK
PBTS
PO
PREF
POL
PLN
POLITICS
PROP
PL
PM
PAO
PSI
PG
PEPR
POV
PALESTINIAN
PINT
PSOE
PU
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PBIO
PECON
PAK
POGOV
PINL
PKFK
PMIL
PY
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PRAM
PMAR
PGOVLO
PUNE
PORG
PHUMPREL
PF
POLINT
PHUS
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PNAT
PGOVE
PRGOV
PRL
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
PINF
PEL
SNAR
SO
SENV
SU
SCUL
SOCI
SP
SC
SA
SMIG
SAN
SZ
SW
SN
SY
SR
SL
SEVN
SF
SYR
SI
SG
STEINBERG
SIPRS
SH
SNARCS
SOFA
SANC
SHUM
SK
ST
TERRORISM
TRGY
TZ
TX
TBIO
TSPA
TS
TSPL
TW
TU
TD
TIP
TURKEY
TP
TI
TC
TPHY
TH
TO
TK
TNGD
TINT
TRSY
TR
TFIN
TT
UG
UK
UP
UNGA
UNHRC
UZ
UN
UNAUS
USTR
UNSC
US
UNEP
UY
UNESCO
USUN
UNHCR
UAE
UNMIK
USEU
UV
UNO
UNDP
UNCHS
UNVIE
UNCHC
UE
UNDESCO
USAID
UNDC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09BERLIN1609, GERMANY'S NEW DEVELOPMENT MINISTER CONNECTS
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. #09BERLIN1609.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09BERLIN1609 | 2009-12-21 16:04 | 2010-11-28 18:06 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Berlin |
VZCZCXRO2092
PP RUEHIK
DE RUEHRL #1609/01 3551631
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 211631Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6111
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNFRG/FRG COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0680
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 0602
RUEHDF/AMCONSUL DUSSELDORF PRIORITY 0263
RUEHFT/AMCONSUL FRANKFURT PRIORITY 8348
RUEHAG/AMCONSUL HAMBURG PRIORITY 0352
RUEHLZ/AMCONSUL LEIPZIG PRIORITY 0257
RUEHMZ/AMCONSUL MUNICH PRIORITY 2223
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BERLIN 001609
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR EEB/IFD/ODF (LEATHAM, ALEXANDER), SCA/A (BRADY),
NEA/IPA (LENTZ), EUR/CE (HODGES, SCHROEDER)
TREASURY FOR SMART, ICN (NORTON), IMB, OASIA
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON EFIN PGOV PREL GM
SUBJECT: GERMANY'S NEW DEVELOPMENT MINISTER CONNECTS
DEVELOPMENT WITH SECURITY POLICY
BERLIN 00001609 001.3 OF 002
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Dirk Niebel (FDP) was an odd pick as
Germany's new Development Minister -- he had no experience in
international development, and had previously suggested
abolishing the Development Ministry. Now in charge, Niebel
has big shoes to fill, following on the heels of Heidemarie
Wieczorek-Zeul (SPD). Important differences with his
predecessor are already apparent: he would like to integrate
Germany's development policy more closely with its foreign
and security policy, including in Afghanistan. Niebel is
also a firm believer in free markets, and sees a successful
conclusion of the Doha Development Round as critical for
developing countries. For Niebel, nothing is sacrosanct: he
intends to phase out German aid to China, which he regards as
no longer a developing country. With the ministry under new
management, there may be additional opportunities for
collaboration between the United States and Germany on
development policy. END SUMMARY.
DIRK WHO?
---------
¶2. (SBU) Dirk Niebel struck many as an unlikely choice for
Development Minister in the coalition government of
Chancellor Merkel's Christian Democratic Union
(CDU)/Christian Social Union (CSU) and Guido Westerwelle's
Free Democratic Party (FDP) (the "Black-Yellow" coalition).
A Hamburg native, Niebel's previous work experience includes
eight years as a paratrooper in the German armed forces, and
five years as a placement officer at a job center in
Heidelberg. In 1998, he was elected to the Bundestag (lower
house of Parliament), where he became caucus spokesperson for
labor market policy and a member of the Labor Committee. In
2005, FDP Chairman (and current Foreign Minister) Westerwelle
tapped him as FDP Secretary General -- a position he held
until Chancellor Merkel appointed him Development Minister in
November 2009. As Secretary General, Niebel had called for
the elimination of the ministry he would later head, the
Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
(NOTE: This option appears off the table for now. END NOTE)
Niebel succeeds Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul of the Social
Democratic Party (SPD), who headed BMZ for a record 11 years.
CONNECTED SECURITY
------------------
¶3. (SBU) In a December 18 meeting with Ambassador Murphy,
Niebel said he intended to "make some changes at BMZ." One
such change is linking development policy more closely with
foreign and security policy -- a concept he referred to as
"connected security." Niebel told the Ambassador he planned
to coordinate very closely with Foreign Minister Guido
Westerwelle, and that he foresaw much greater cooperation
between BMZ and the German military in northern Afghanistan.
(NOTE: Days prior to the meeting with Ambassador Murphy,
Niebel had announced BMZ would increase civilian assistance
to Afghanistan by around 50 million euros, bringing Germany's
2009 total to over 260 million euros. END NOTE)
¶4. (SBU) In a separate meeting several months ago,
Chancellery National Security Advisor Christoph Heusgen had
told us that BMZ under a Black-Yellow coalition would be less
wedded to "old" notions of doing development work. This
assessment now appears to be accurate. Wiezcorek-Zeul had
ensured that German development staff worked and lived in
separate compounds, away from provincial reconstruction teams
(PRTs) and other bases from which the Ministry of Defense,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Interior
operated. She even refused to ride in German military
vehicles when she visited Afghanistan. This kind of
separation seems likely to end under Niebel, both physically
and substantively.
¶5. (SBU) Among other ideas Niebel brings to the table is a
plan to partner with third country donors like Israel on
projects in developing countries. Niebel told the Ambassador
that Israel,s expertise in border protection could be shared
BERLIN 00001609 002.3 OF 002
with African countries, for example. By teaming up with
Germany, Israel could participate in certain capacity
building projects where it might not otherwise have access.
LAISSEZ-FAIRE DEVELOPMENT
-------------------------
¶6. (SBU) Shortly after becoming Minister, Niebel remarked
that his overall development philosophy was helping recipient
countries help themselves. He regards the successful
conclusion of World Trade Organization's (WTO's) Doha
Development Round as especially meaningful for developing
countries. "There is more money being lost by trade barriers
than all the development aid can make up for," he said. This
perspective marks a noteworthy departure from the approach of
Wieczorek-Zeul, dubbed "red Heide" for her affiliation with
the Young Socialists years ago.
¶7. (SBU) Niebel also opposes a proposed tax on international
financial transactions to fund development assistance. Both
Chancellor Merkel and Wieczorek-Zeul had championed the
so-called "Tobin tax." Citing "differences" within the
government on the issue, Niebel has reportedly ended BMZ's
participation in an international working group on the
proposed tax.
¶8. (SBU) Niebel is keen to reorient BMZ's assistance.
Reflecting on comments made publicly in his first days as
Minister, Niebel told Ambassador Murphy that Germany planned
to stop providing development assistance to China, currently
one of the largest recipients of German aid. He added that
China was "only a developing country when it came to climate
change negotiations." BMZ will carry out its existing aid
obligations to China only through next year. The decision
has proved controversial, as BMZ's assistance to China had
reportedly benefitted German companies doing business there.
TRAVEL PLANS
------------
¶9. (SBU) Niebel said he planned to spend the holidays in
Israel. (NOTE: Niebel is a long-standing member of the
German-Israeli Society. END NOTE) His first official travel
to the developing world will be a late January trip to
"Rwanda, eastern Congo, Mozambique, Afghanistan and Asia."
The Ambassador suggested Niebel visit Washington to meet with
new USAID Administrator Shah once confirmed. Niebel said he
would coordinate dates for the visit with the Embassy.
COMMENT
-------
¶10. (SBU) Niebel takes charge of BMZ at a challenging time:
Germany will run its largest post-war deficit in 2010, and
pressure to rein in spending will strain every ministry.
Niebel's close relationship with Westerwelle should be an
asset, however, and could help minimize cuts on key
priorities. The close relationship will also facilitate
Niebel's vision of integrating development policy with
foreign and security policy. Since taking over at BMZ,
Niebel has increased assistance to Afghanistan, where Germany
was already the third largest donor, and appears open to
doing more in support of an integrated strategy in the north.
An early meeting between the new USAID Administrator, who
oversees the world's largest aid budget, and the new German
Development Minister, who oversees the world's second
largest, could be an important step in building stronger
U.S.-German cooperation on our top development priorities.
DELAWIE