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