IRAQ ASSISTANCE: IRELAND EARMARKS 1 MILLION EURO

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000749

SIPDIS

EB/ODF FOR RDEMARCELLUS; EB/IRAQ FOR MKISSEL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON EFIN PREL
SUBJECT: IRAQ ASSISTANCE: IRELAND EARMARKS 1 MILLION EURO
IRGFFI CONTRIBUTION FOR UNICEF

REF: SECSTATE 108776


1. Ireland and UNDP have exchanged administration contracts
for Ireland's one million Euro contribution to the
International Reconstruction Trust Fund Facility for Iraq
(IRGFFI). In response to reftel demarche, Aine Hearns,
Assistant Principal in the Development Cooperation
Directorate, Rehabilitation Assistance office, told Poloff on
May 17 that the GOI had tried to transfer the funds to UNDP
already. Something went wrong at the bank in New York and
today they hope to sort it out.


2. Ireland earmarked the money for primary education
programs run by UNICEF. Hearns recalled that at the last
donors conference, Ireland had mentioned a possible three
million Euro contribution over three years. She said Ireland
would see how it went with the first million before
committing further.


3. Hearns said that the Netherlands would represent the
Presidency (as presidency sur place) at the meeting in Qatar
May 25-26 and that the Commission would be there. She added
that she is fully briefed on Iraqi development issues since
she serves as a member of the Iraqi Core Group, representing
the EU Presidency.
KENNY