Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE72081
2008-07-04 04:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

FY 2008 SUPPLEMENTAL AND FY 2009 BRIDGE SUPPLEMENTAL

Tags:  ABUD EAID PREL KSPR 
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R 040457Z JUL 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI
UNCLAS STATE 072081 


FROM HENRIETTA FORE, DIRECTOR OF U.S. FOREIGN ASSISTANCE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ABUD EAID PREL KSPR
SUBJECT: FY 2008 SUPPLEMENTAL AND FY 2009 BRIDGE SUPPLEMENTAL
SIGNED INTO LAW

AND PATRICK KENNEDY, UNDERSECRETARY OF MANAGEMENT
TO ALL COMS, USAI MISSION DIRECTORS, AND AGENCY HEADS

UNCLAS STATE 072081


FROM HENRIETTA FORE, DIRECTOR OF U.S. FOREIGN ASSISTANCE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ABUD EAID PREL KSPR
SUBJECT: FY 2008 SUPPLEMENTAL AND FY 2009 BRIDGE SUPPLEMENTAL
SIGNED INTO LAW

AND PATRICK KENNEDY, UNDERSECRETARY OF MANAGEMENT
TO ALL COMS, USAI MISSION DIRECTORS, AND AGENCY HEADS


1. On June 30, the President signed the Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-252). This legislation
contains funding critical to USAID and Department of State
operations and foreign assistance programming. The bill
represents strong support for Administration priorities such as
the Merida Initiative, funding for the food crisis, humanitaria
assistance, as well as for key bilateral assistance programs
around the world.


2. FY 2008 funding is available immediately, subject to
congressional notification. FY 2009 bridge funding was provide
in anticipation of entering the new fiscal year under a
continuing resolution (CR). FY 2009 bridge funding becomes
available October 1, 2008 but a spending plan is required prior
to the initial obligation of funds.


3. For Foreign Operations and P.L. 480, in FY 2008 the Act
provides $4.158 billion, $989.5 million above the request. For
FY 2009, the Act provides $3.040 billion, $161 million above
the request.


4. Some specific highlights of the Foreign Operations
legislation are:

* Although below the request, critical funding for foreign
assistance programs in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, West Bank
Gaza and Lebanon was provided. $15 million was provided for
additional expenses related to North Korea Phase II
commitments.

* Additional funds were provided for Jordan and Israel above
the President's request. Congress also provided bilateral
assistance funding for Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Burma. Funding for Avian
Influenza and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty International
Monitoring System was also provided.

* Foreign assistance programs in Africa received strong support
in the bill. Funding is provided over FY 2008 and FY 2009 for
Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo,
Zimbabwe, Chad, the Central African Republic, and Uganda.

* Assistance for Merida was provided at $417 million for FY
2008 and $48 million for FY 2009 (Mexico received a total of
$400 million and Central America received $65 million).

* Assistance for addressing the food crisis was provided at
$1.445 billion over FY 2008 and FY 2009, $1.245 million in Pp
480 and $200 million in Development Assistance. In addition
$420 million is provided in International Disaster Assistance
in FY 2008 and FY 2009, some of which should be used for
countries severely affected by the international food crisis.

* Assistance for refugees was provided at $696 million.

* USAID's Operating Expenses received $243.5 million some of
which is to be used for the Development Leadership Initiativ(
and for the Civilian Stabilization Initiative.


5. For State Operations, in FY 2008, the Act provides
$1.992 billion, $420 million below the request. In FY 2009, the
act provides $1.029 billion, $92.6 million below the request.
The reductions were primarily against the Department's request
for diplomatic operations in Iraq.


6. Some specific highlights of the State Operations legislation
are:

* Congress provided limited relief from exchange rate losses
($26 million) for FY 2008 with authority to transfer
additional funds in future fiscal years - this revised
authority has been a high priority with the Department for
several years.
* In acknowledgement of the Department's request for additional
positions in FY 2009, Congress provided $55.0 million in

FY 2008 supplemental funding for the civilian workforce
initiative; ($30.0 million for civilian post-conflict
stabilization capacity and $25.0 million for diplomatic
capacity). An additional $40.0 million was provided for
diplomatic capacity in the FY 2009 bridge funding.

* The bill contains a total of $210.4 million for world wide
security protection (WSP) in FY 2008 and $78.4 million in
FY 2009. The funding for FY 2008 is $48.0 million above the
request and is designated in the report to restore 100
diplomatic security (DS) positions that were redirected to
Iraq from elsewhere in the world.

* A combined total of $118.0 million in supplemental funding
was provided for construction projects in Kabul Afghanistan
to address housing and office space requirements.

* Additionally, Congress increased funding for Contributions to
International Organizations and Contributions for
International Peacekeeping Activities by a combined total of
$203.6 million over the requested level.


7. The full text of the bill and report can be found at:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/C?cllO:./ temp/-cllOTEHOJ9


8. Minimize considered.

RICE