Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07USEUBRUSSELS3189
2007-10-19 07:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
USEU Brussels
Cable title:  

CHANGES IN EC MINE ACTION FUNDING

Tags:  PREL KHDP SOCI PARM EAID EUN 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBS #3189 2920748
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 190748Z OCT 07
FM USEU BRUSSELS
TO SECSTATE WASHDC
UNCLAS USEU BRUSSELS 003189 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR PM/WRA STACY DAVIS, DEREK KISH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KHDP SOCI PARM EAID EUN
SUBJECT: CHANGES IN EC MINE ACTION FUNDING

REF: A. STATE 111654

B. BRUSSELS 04 04438

UNCLAS USEU BRUSSELS 003189

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR PM/WRA STACY DAVIS, DEREK KISH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KHDP SOCI PARM EAID EUN
SUBJECT: CHANGES IN EC MINE ACTION FUNDING

REF: A. STATE 111654

B. BRUSSELS 04 04438


1. (U) USAID Special Assistant delivered demarche contained
in reftel to Laura Figuori of the European Commission's
Directorate General for External Relations, Security Policy
Unit. Figuori was a member of the now dismantled operational
unit which managed mine action funding.


2. (SBU) According to Figuori, the rationale for eliminating
the horizontal budget line supporting mine action must be
considered in the context of the overall reform of EC
external assistance. Historically, the EC has provided
assistance by way of numerous financial instruments, each
with its own legal basis. For greater policy coherence,
beginning with the 2007-13 budget, the EU agreed to
consolidate these instruments into seven broader instruments
including "the Stability Instrument" under which a large
portion of mine action funds will be managed (see Ref B).


3. (SBU) The horizontal budget line was eliminated, as
explained by Liguori, "to increase efficiency of EC mine
action" and to bring mine action funding in line with the
reform process by incorporating the funds into bilateral
country programs. The Commission does not view this as a
decrease in funding, but rather as a mere reorganization, and
so appears unconcerned that this change will influence the
complementarity of EC and U.S. programs. They have in effect
mainstreamed this activity into country budgets.


4. (SBU) Comment: Given the high degree of devolution of EC
external assistance to its field delegations and a
commensurate reduction of technical expertise in Brussels, a
more technical discussion between U.S. and EC
colleagues/implementers in mine-affected countries may be
useful to determine if, and where, problems may arise. The EC
is aware the U.S. may approach specific EC missions we
consider potentially "at risk" for further discussion.

GRAY
.