HAITI: APPEAL TO DONORS ON FINANCING GAP

UNCLAS PARIS 005447 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EB/IFD/ODF, WHA/CAR, AND EUR/WE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID EFIN HA FR SUBJECT: HAITI: APPEAL TO DONORS ON FINANCING GAP REF: A. STATE 145390 ¶B. MERTEN-BALL E-MAILS 10 AUG. 05 (SBU) On 10 August, Econ Counselor passed reftel points to Finance Ministry Office Director for African, Caribbean, and Pacific Affairs, Remy Rioux (who will participate on the 11 August IMF conference call) and discussed the IGOH financing gap with him. Rioux said he completely understood the USG position and noted that France shares the USG's sense of urgency. Nevertheless, he noted that the timing for further disbursements (at least in the first half of FY06) was "not propitious" for France. The GOF was juggling other priorities and the situation is, Rioux explained, a bit "delicate." He explained that he was personally reviewing the upcoming schedule of disbursements in preparation for the conference call (in fact he appeared to be the only employee in the entire office). He said he was looking for any flexibility the GOF might have. Rioux noted that he had not finished examining these numbers and that he hoped to have completely reviewed them in time for the 11 August call. PolOff also shared reftel points with Dominique Pradet, Haiti desk officer at the MFA. She was unable to give a substantive response but noted the USG's position. Hofmann