IRELAND: LIBERIAN MILITARY REFORM

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000361 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID MARR MASS PREL SUBJECT: IRELAND: LIBERIAN MILITARY REFORM REF: A. STATE 49284 ¶B. 04 DUBLIN 325 ¶1. On March 22, Emboff delivered ref A points to Pauline Conway, Counselor, Africa Desk at the Department of Foreign Affairs. According to Conway, Ireland appreciates the importance of security sector reform (SSR),but by Irish regulation, SSR does not qualify as Overseas Development Assistance (ODA). She added that Development Cooperation Ireland (DCI) (the GOI's aid mechanism) will continue to provide aid to Liberia, but cannot devote funds to SSR. ¶2. Conway said that Ireland has pledged euro 5,000,000 over two years with two million allocated last year and three million to be spent in 2005. This money is earmarked for the UN Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DDRR) program. Per ref A, Ireland did pledge euro (not dollar) 500,000 in March 2004, but according to Conway, it is part of the overall pledge and intended for DDRR considerations. The money is to be channeled either directly through the UN or through NGOs and it is earmarked for the following priorities: DDRR, elections, agriculture, health and education. BENTON