IRELAND CONSIDERS CUTTING AID TO UGANDA

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000588

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PHUM PTER
SUBJECT: IRELAND CONSIDERS CUTTING AID TO UGANDA


1. On May 13, Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern announced
that the Irish government is considering reducing aid to
Uganda by euro 2 million to send a clear message to Ugandan
President Museveni regarding political reform. Department of
Foreign Affairs Uganda desk officer Jerry Kelliher confirmed
to emboff that by the end of May, the GOI will decide on
whether to reduce the aid from euro 32 million to euro 30
million. He added that the decision to reduce aid depends on
President Museveni's continued steps towards changing the
Ugandan constitution to allow for him to serve a third
six-year term. According to Kelliher, the GOI is in
discussions with the GOU in Kampala and seeks to apply
pressure to guarantee the democratic success of next year's
general election.


2. According to a May 14 Irish Times article, President
Museveni responded to this announcement by saying that Uganda
"could do without foreign aid if the Uganda Revenue Authority
improved its methods of collection," and that he was only
"interested in trade, not aid."



KENNY