DONOR SUPPORT FOR KOSOVO, ESPECIALLY RETURNS

UNCLAS OTTAWA 001021 SIPDIS FOR FOR WHA/CA BERN PASS ZURICH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM EAID PREF YI CA CIDA AID SUBJECT: DONOR SUPPORT FOR KOSOVO, ESPECIALLY RETURNS REF: SECSTATE 83100 ¶1. Canada's International Development Agency (CIDA) confirmed April 9 that Canada has committed C$5.4 million to Kosovo for calendar year 2003. (The Canadian dollar is worth about 68 US cents.) They do not, at this point, specifically support the Office of Returns and Communities, but will provide funds on an ad hoc basis when the security situation improves. Canada does, however, provide about C$1.1 million to a local initiative program managed from Pristina that can be used for ORC. ¶2. CIDA is consulting with UNMIK, but says nothing is happening on the ground. Once it is feasible, Canada does intend to provide additional funds to support ORC. Post believes CIDA would welcome any evidence Washington can provide that the time is ripe for effective use of contributions to ORC. KELLY