Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA113
2009-04-08 15:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
EC GREENLIGHTS 122 MILLION EURO AID PACKAGE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000113
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2019
TAGS: EAID EFIN PREL PGOV ER
SUBJECT: EC GREENLIGHTS 122 MILLION EURO AID PACKAGE
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000113
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2019
TAGS: EAID EFIN PREL PGOV ER
SUBJECT: EC GREENLIGHTS 122 MILLION EURO AID PACKAGE
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: European Commission (EC) member countries
have officially signed off on a 122 million euro aid package
for Eritrea, according to an EC representative. The decision
now goes to the EC president for final approval, which the
representative believes will happen. The EC funds will go
towards food security, infrastructure, and governance.
Although Eritrean diaspora community sharply criticized the
aid package, the EC ultimately decided to approve the funds
citing a desire to maintain dialogue with the Eritrean
government (GSE). End Summary.
2. (C) The decision to move forward with the aid agreement
concludes a two-year internal debate on whether or not to
continue EC development funding for Eritrea. The EC
previously provided a 117 million euro assistance program
through its Economic Development Fund (EDF),though the GSE's
lack of capacity delayed its implementation. The new aid
package is to be distributed over a five-year period and will
be split three ways:
- 70 million euros for food security
- 32 million euros for infrastructure
- 18 million euros for governance (mostly focusing on the
justice sector, with 1 million euros going to the National
Confederation of Eritrean Workers and other funds for
historical preservation).
3. (C) Despite criticism from the diaspora, the EC decided
that the aid package was the best option available to
maintain dialogue with the GSE. Regular talks between GSE
officials and the EC ambassadors resumed as of mid-2008. The
topics last year included regional issues and migration,
while the first 2009 meeting focused on human rights. The EC
representative admitted the GSE had not requested EC funding
and if EC were to condition the funds in any way, such as on
improving human rights, the GSE would refuse the assistance
without hesitation.
4. (C) The representative claimed the EC is not turning over
the funding directly to the GSE, but in fact it is forming
partnerships with GSE entities such as the women's and youth
unions and local governments.
5. (C) COMMENT: The diaspora outcry against the EC assistance
package is an encouraging sign the GSE's grip on its overseas
citizens is weakening. Although the funding is being
channeled to grassroots organizations, in fact the GSE will
control every penny and the EC will reap a minimal amount of
influence.
MCMULLEN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2019
TAGS: EAID EFIN PREL PGOV ER
SUBJECT: EC GREENLIGHTS 122 MILLION EURO AID PACKAGE
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: European Commission (EC) member countries
have officially signed off on a 122 million euro aid package
for Eritrea, according to an EC representative. The decision
now goes to the EC president for final approval, which the
representative believes will happen. The EC funds will go
towards food security, infrastructure, and governance.
Although Eritrean diaspora community sharply criticized the
aid package, the EC ultimately decided to approve the funds
citing a desire to maintain dialogue with the Eritrean
government (GSE). End Summary.
2. (C) The decision to move forward with the aid agreement
concludes a two-year internal debate on whether or not to
continue EC development funding for Eritrea. The EC
previously provided a 117 million euro assistance program
through its Economic Development Fund (EDF),though the GSE's
lack of capacity delayed its implementation. The new aid
package is to be distributed over a five-year period and will
be split three ways:
- 70 million euros for food security
- 32 million euros for infrastructure
- 18 million euros for governance (mostly focusing on the
justice sector, with 1 million euros going to the National
Confederation of Eritrean Workers and other funds for
historical preservation).
3. (C) Despite criticism from the diaspora, the EC decided
that the aid package was the best option available to
maintain dialogue with the GSE. Regular talks between GSE
officials and the EC ambassadors resumed as of mid-2008. The
topics last year included regional issues and migration,
while the first 2009 meeting focused on human rights. The EC
representative admitted the GSE had not requested EC funding
and if EC were to condition the funds in any way, such as on
improving human rights, the GSE would refuse the assistance
without hesitation.
4. (C) The representative claimed the EC is not turning over
the funding directly to the GSE, but in fact it is forming
partnerships with GSE entities such as the women's and youth
unions and local governments.
5. (C) COMMENT: The diaspora outcry against the EC assistance
package is an encouraging sign the GSE's grip on its overseas
citizens is weakening. Although the funding is being
channeled to grassroots organizations, in fact the GSE will
control every penny and the EC will reap a minimal amount of
influence.
MCMULLEN