MORE ON EU SUPPORT FOR IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION,

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 008013

SIPDIS

USDOC FOR A/S LASH

TREASURY FOR OASIA - LARRY MCDONALD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2009
TAGS: PREL ECON EFIN EAID JO IZ EU
SUBJECT: MORE ON EU SUPPORT FOR IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION,
UPCOMING ELECTIONS

REF: A. BRUSSELS 4025


B. AMMAN 7841

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES A.I. DAVID HALE, REASONS: 1.4 (B & D)


1. (C) European Commission (EC) Iraq Delegation chief Ana
Gallo Alvarez provided additional information to us on
planned EU support for Iraq reconstruction and elections (ref
A) during a meeting in Amman on September 21. According to
Alvarez (who resides in Amman pending improvement in the
security situation in Baghdad),the EU is prepared to provide
Euros 30 million in grants to the International
Reconstruction Trust Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI) election
trust fund. Alvarez said that the grant, to be announced at
or before the upcoming October 13-14 Tokyo conference, will
consist of Euros 15 million in new funds and Euros 15 million
in reprogrammed 2004 IRRFI assistance.


2. (C) While confirming that the EC will not send an
observer mission to Iraq due to the security situation,
Alvarez said that the EU is looking for ways to provide
indirect support, e.g., through training of other election
observers, NGOs, Iraqi election officials, and/or other
election-related assistance to be provided to the UN
electoral team in Baghdad. She confirmed that an EC
exploratory committee, probably led by a Director General,
will come to Amman during the first week of October. In
addition to meeting with UN, UNDP, and Iraqi electoral
commission members, Alvarez said that the committee (which
will not be travelling to Iraq) would appreciate
consultations and/or inputs from knowledgeable USG officials
in Iraq. We agreed to pass on this request, and offered and
to provide whatever assistance we can to facilitate receipt
of such information


3. (U) Baghdad Minimize Considered.
HALE