Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NAIROBI2614
2008-11-19 08:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:  

EU THREATENS TO WITHHOLD AID

Tags:  PREL KPAO PGOV KE 
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R 190856Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC//JJJ// 7625
C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 002614 


E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2018
TAGS: PREL KPAO PGOV KE
SUBJECT: EU THREATENS TO WITHHOLD AID

Classified By: Polcouns Mitch Benedict for reasons 1.4 (b,d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 002614


E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2018
TAGS: PREL KPAO PGOV KE
SUBJECT: EU THREATENS TO WITHHOLD AID

Classified By: Polcouns Mitch Benedict for reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) At a press conference November 17 on the occasion of
"European Development Days," French Ambassador Elisabeth
Barbier and EC Head of Delegation Eric van der Linden were
questioned on European views with regard to implementation of
the Waki Commission recommendations. Headlined the following
day as "EU Threatens to Withhold Aid," press reporting linked
the EU's provision of budgetary support to implementation of
the Waki Commission recommendations. However, according to
the British High Commission Polcouns no such link was made --
Barbier was "misquoted," and he was not aware of any
discussions of withholding aid. The French Press Officer
confirmed that the press reporting was sensational, and that
no threat to assistance was implied.


2. (C) Follow up calls to the EC Delegation revealed a
different story. Wairimu Njuguna, the EC Press Officer, told
us that in response to questioning that Barbier and van der
Linden were "quite clear" that EU budgetary support is linked
to progress on governance, and failure to implement Waki
Commission recommendations would be considered lack of
progress on governance. According to Njuguna, on Kenyan
television "KTN" the night of November 17 van der Linden was
even more explicit in linking EU budgetary support to
implementation of the Waki Commission recommendations.


3. (C) We have been publicly and privately pressing for
implementation of the entire reform agena, and there is
movement. The threats made by the EU will likely be
counter-productive with the coalition government.

RANNEBERGER