CANADA: DEMARCHE ON FUNDING AFGHANISTAN'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 001226 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SA/A (MEGHAN BRADLEY) E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/2015 TAGS: PREL EAID AF CA UNSC SUBJECT: CANADA: DEMARCHE ON FUNDING AFGHANISTAN'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS REF: STATE 061560 Classified By: POL M/C Brian Flora, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) In a conversation on April 20 with Foreign Affairs Canada contacts (please protect),poloff was told privately that GoC financial assistance to the Afghanistan elections could be in the range of CDN 5-10 million (approximately USD 4-8 million). The amount of the contribution is expected to be finalized within the next month or so, subject to approval by the Minister of International Cooperation, Aileen Carroll. ¶2. (SBU) According to information provided by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA),once approved by the Minister, the unearmarked contribution will be quickly transferred to the UNDP. More generally, GoC aid remains on target, with Afghanistan being Canada's largest aid recipient. Allocations totaling CDN 616.5 million (approximately USD 493.2) have been committed to Afghanistan for the period 2001-2009, and the Canadian contribution to the upcoming Afghan elections will be drawn from this fund. Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa DICKSON