Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06VIENTIANE331
2006-04-07 09:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vientiane
how-toVZCZCXYZ0018 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHVN #0331 0970904 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 070904Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9792 INFO RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 6475
C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENTIANE 000331
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS (WEYER)
BANGKOK FOR USAID
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM LA
SUBJECT: GOL HOLDS UP US-FUNDED NGOS' MOUS
Classified By: Ambassador Haslach for reasons 1.5 b,d
C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENTIANE 000331
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS (WEYER)
BANGKOK FOR USAID
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM LA
SUBJECT: GOL HOLDS UP US-FUNDED NGOS' MOUS
Classified By: Ambassador Haslach for reasons 1.5 b,d
1. (SBU) The DCM met with MFA Deputy Director General of the
International Organization Phonesavanh on April 5 to raise
our concern about the delays in approval of MOUs for several
USAID-funded NGO projects. The DCM pointed out that these
MOUs have been pending for over two and half years and
represent a great deal of money that should be going to
assist handicapped Lao. Phonesavanh agreed that the delays
are of concern, acknowledging that weak coordination in the
GOL needs to be improved. However, with regard to the
specific MOUs raised, he explained that they were linked with
a "pending issue" and could not be resolved until that issue
is decided by the Cabinet. He noted that the Cabinet has
considered the issue three times already without making a
decision. He refused to explain what the issue is. When
pressed whether the issue is about the USAID funding of the
projects, he said that MOUs for NGOs funded by other donors
are also being held up by this issue. He claimed that the
recent Party Congress clearly set out a policy to encourage
ODA and thus there is no restriction on receiving money from
any particular donors. However, he could not name the other
NGOs that are not USG-funded and he offered no hope when the
issue would be resolved.
2. (SBU) The DCM then discussed this with MFA Deputy
Director General of the European/Americas Department Mai,
raising our concern about possible discrimination against USG
funded projects. He appreciated our concern and promised to
raise the matter with his colleagues in the International
Organization Department who handle MOUs for NGOs.
3. (C) Comment: Phonesavanh's account matched the
information provided by one of the NGOs in question, Catholic
Relief Services, which they provided in an earlier meeting.
Our backchannel efforts to find out what "the issue" have not
so far succeeded and it sounds like something that could drag
on for quite some time. We will now raise this at a higher
level in hopes of pushing the matter forward but may need to
reconsider our funding of these projects if no progress can
be made soon. End Comment.
HASLACH
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS (WEYER)
BANGKOK FOR USAID
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM LA
SUBJECT: GOL HOLDS UP US-FUNDED NGOS' MOUS
Classified By: Ambassador Haslach for reasons 1.5 b,d
1. (SBU) The DCM met with MFA Deputy Director General of the
International Organization Phonesavanh on April 5 to raise
our concern about the delays in approval of MOUs for several
USAID-funded NGO projects. The DCM pointed out that these
MOUs have been pending for over two and half years and
represent a great deal of money that should be going to
assist handicapped Lao. Phonesavanh agreed that the delays
are of concern, acknowledging that weak coordination in the
GOL needs to be improved. However, with regard to the
specific MOUs raised, he explained that they were linked with
a "pending issue" and could not be resolved until that issue
is decided by the Cabinet. He noted that the Cabinet has
considered the issue three times already without making a
decision. He refused to explain what the issue is. When
pressed whether the issue is about the USAID funding of the
projects, he said that MOUs for NGOs funded by other donors
are also being held up by this issue. He claimed that the
recent Party Congress clearly set out a policy to encourage
ODA and thus there is no restriction on receiving money from
any particular donors. However, he could not name the other
NGOs that are not USG-funded and he offered no hope when the
issue would be resolved.
2. (SBU) The DCM then discussed this with MFA Deputy
Director General of the European/Americas Department Mai,
raising our concern about possible discrimination against USG
funded projects. He appreciated our concern and promised to
raise the matter with his colleagues in the International
Organization Department who handle MOUs for NGOs.
3. (C) Comment: Phonesavanh's account matched the
information provided by one of the NGOs in question, Catholic
Relief Services, which they provided in an earlier meeting.
Our backchannel efforts to find out what "the issue" have not
so far succeeded and it sounds like something that could drag
on for quite some time. We will now raise this at a higher
level in hopes of pushing the matter forward but may need to
reconsider our funding of these projects if no progress can
be made soon. End Comment.
HASLACH