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
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