RENEWAL OF MINUSTAH MISSION ON HAITI -

UNCLAS BERLIN 001802 SIPDIS SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D COPY (ADD SIGNATURE LINE E.O. 12356: N/A TAGS: KPKO EFIN EIAD PREL PGOV GM SUBJECT: RENEWAL OF MINUSTAH MISSION ON HAITI - RESPONSE TO SECSTATE 127801 Ref: 127801 ¶1. SUMMARY. In response to SecState 127801, post emphasized to German Government the importance of the UN Security Council renewal of a strong MINUSTAH mission on Haiti and urged the German Government to support the recommendations for the MINUSTAH made by UN Secretary General. German officials reported that they were in complete agreement regarding the renewal of the MINUSTAH Mission for another year. The MFA also said it would participate in the September 26 New York meeting of key players called for by Under Secretary Burns. END SUMMARY. SIPDIS ¶2. German Foreign Ministry (MFA) and German Development Ministry (BMZ) both reported that Germany plans to continue its support for the MINUSTAH Mission. A BMZ official noted that ?following difficulties in the beginning, the Mission now operates successfully? adding that the Mission provides ?a framework of security for development programs and contributes to the stabilization of Haiti?. The MFA stressed that Germany was in a continuing dialogue regarding MINUSTAH and supported the renewal of its mandate. ¶3. Germany currently contributes 9 percent to the cost of MINUSTAH and has provided a total of USD 48 million to the effort. Annual bilateral development assistance to Haiti amounts to 3 million Euro which is spent on eradication of poverty and basic educational training. In addition, Germany contributes 20 percent to the EU?s development efforts and debt relief programs in the ACP countries. Germany is also active in a regional Caribbean initiative to counter climate change and is a major contributor to the fight against HIV/AIDS-Tuberculosis in the region. Germany is currently reviewing its development assistance to the Caribbean as part of the Paris round of donor harmonization. ¶4. The MFA told Embassy that it would send a representative to the September 26 New York meeting of the Haiti key player nations. The German Ambassador to the U.S. will most likely represent MF State Secretary Reinhard Silberberg at the meeting. TIMKEN JR