EU ON HAITIAN ELECTIONS BUDGET SHORTFALL

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 002208 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC EAID EFIN HA PGOV PREL EUN OAS UN USEU BRUSSELS SUBJECT: EU ON HAITIAN ELECTIONS BUDGET SHORTFALL REF: STATE 101620 ¶1. (SBU) We presented reftel demarche on June 8 to John Caloghirou, Head of the Caribbean Affairs Unit in the Development Directorate-General of the European Commission (EC). Caloghirou said the EC would contribute 18 million euros for elections, plus 2-1/2 million euros for an election-related project to strengthen civil society via voter education and similar activities. Of the 18 million, 10 million is ready to go and will be disbursed soon. Disbursement of the additional 8 million is awaiting the outcome of talks between the EC Delegation in Port-au-Prince and Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council (CEP). When the EC Delegation has more specific information from the CEP on the calendar, budget and recruitment of staff for elections preparations, the EC will write a funding proposal for the 8 million euros. On that basis the EC and CEP will sign a financing agreement, after which the funds can be disbursed. ¶2. (SBU) Caloghirou said the EC fact-finding mission to Haiti (actually called "election observation exploratory mission") had been postponed until sometime in July, because of security concerns. He said the EC would need local security coverage, probably from MINUSTAH. Caloghirou specified that the purpose of the mission was to assess what would be required to observe the elections -- the size of the election observation team, and its logistical and security requirements. ¶3. (SBU) Caloghirou said no additional funds were likely to be available for elections support. SCHNABEL .