LUXEMBOURG COMMITS TO 900K EUROS FOR LEBANON

UNCLAS LUXEMBOURG 000479 SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - PARA MARKINGS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL LE LU SUBJECT: LUXEMBOURG COMMITS TO 900K EUROS FOR LEBANON REF: SECSTATE 139903 ¶1. (U) Post delivered talking points contained reftel to the MFA's Directorates of Political Affairs, International Economic Affairs, and Cooperation and Development. The GOL has informed Post that Luxembourg has committed a total of 900,000 euros (1.14 million USD) for Lebanon to be divided among humanitarian assistance, de-mining activities, and an NGO. ¶2. (U) This assistance is to be divided as follows (all figures in euros): 750,000 towards direct humanitarian assistance, 100,000 to the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) for de-mining activities in Lebanon, and 50,000 to Caritas for humanitarian assistance to be conducted through a Lebanese counterpart. The GOL claims that at roughly 2 euros per person (2005 estimated population of 455,000),the 900,000 euros committed to Lebanon makes Luxembourg the largest donor per capita by quote "a very wide margin" at the moment. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: While Post is not in a position to verify the veracity of the GOL's claim as the top Lebanon donor per capita, Luxembourg continues to be quite prod of its status as a world leader in net official development assistance on a per capita basis. WAGNER