UNCLAS DUBLIN 001403

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON EFIN PREL
SUBJECT: IRELAND NOT TO ATTEND IRAQ TOKYO DONORS' CONFERENCE

REF: SECSTATE 196084


1. Emboff, drawing on reftel points, spoke on September 21
to First Secretary Aine Hearns at the DFA's Development
Cooperation Ireland office. Hearns stated that the GOI will
not be sending anyone to the Tokyo Donors' Conference in
October due to shortage of staff. The GOI pledged 3 million
euros in Madrid to Iraqi development, mostly to UNICEF
projects in primary education. To date, Ireland has paid 1.25
million euro, 250,000 euros of which have gone to Assisting
Marsh Arabs and Refugees (AMAR) in developing health
rehabilitation programs for the Marsh Arabs. The GOI's
future contributions hinge on a "wait and see" attitude, and
the success of its current contributions in Iraq.


2. Minimize considered.
BENTON