EC MOVING FORWARD WITH AUDITORS FOR LIBERIA

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 002086 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W - ARIETTI; AF/RSA - SCHOFIELD; DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS USAID FOR C. GRIGSBY; TREASURY FOR ALEX SEVERINS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID EFIN PGOV LI EUN IMF USEU BRUSSELS SUBJECT: EC MOVING FORWARD WITH AUDITORS FOR LIBERIA REF: MONROVIA 0716 ¶1. Following receipt of reftel, USEU contacted DG Development Liberia Desk Officer Arend Biesenbroek for a status report on their funding of auditors to assist in the review of financial controls at six key government agencies. Biesenbroek reported that the terms of reference for this program had just been completed and that the next step is to select a company to perform the audits. One key area of concern is the physical protection of the auditors. Biesenbroek reported that UNMIL has indicated it will cover the auditors protection needs. ¶2. Biesenbroek said that he was aware of the IMF's concerns about delays, and noted that the European Commission had used expedited procedures which will permit direct contracting of auditors for this task. An optimistic outlook for "financial boots on the ground" is 4-5 weeks. FOSTER