CANADA ON NORTHERN UGANDA, JUBA

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 002265 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/E BOJIKUTU E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2012 TAGS: PREL EAID PHUM UG CA SUBJECT: CANADA ON NORTHERN UGANDA, JUBA REF: STATE 166213 Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) This is an action message -- see para 5. ¶2. (C) In a meeting with PolMinCouns on December 14, Department of Foreign Affairs Director for Eastern and Southern Africa Lisa Stadelbauer and Director of Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding Group Shawn Barber expressed appreciation for reftel points, which they said were timely and useful. Barber noted that Canada was prepared to contribute an additional C$2 million on top of last year's C$1.5 million to support the Juba process; the offer is currently with UNOCHA. Barber and Stadelbauer underscored that only perhaps C$30,000 monthly of Canadian assistance went toward the per diem of LRA negotiators ($C70/day X 15 people X 30 days),so the amounts available for possible diversion were limited. They strongly supported KPMG's monitoring role. ¶3. (C) They added that overall Canadian assistance for Uganda was between C$25-35 million per year, most of it channeled through UN agencies or on regional projects. There is no CIDA presence in Kampala, with the office in Nairobi handling projects. Stadelbauer noted that the Canadian government was currently tightening its focus for international assistance, and predicted less available in the future for Africa. She expressed doubt that Canada would be in a position therefore to support the GOU's PRDP. ¶4. (C) Stadelbauer and Barber cited inflammatory remarks in recent months by senior Ugandan officials that they said might lead to an outbreak of violence, and encouraged the U.S. to weigh in to get Ugandan leaders to moderate their rhetoric so that the peace process could continue. ¶5. (C) Action request: Stadelbauer and Barber suggested that U.S. officials share -- ideally, during the week of December 17 -- with their counterparts at the Canadian officials any intelligence or information regarding LRA troop levels and possible impending violations of the cease-fire (including kidnappings). Their own latest reports suggested only 150-200 LRA militia now, while expressing skepticism even about these numbers. Please advise. Visit our shared North American Partnership blog (Canada & Mexico) at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap WILKINS