Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BERLIN288
2009-03-12 13:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:
GERMAN PLEDGE AT MARCH 2 SHARM AL-SHEIKH DONORS'
how-toVZCZCXRO7680 PP RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHRL #0288 0711349 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 121349Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3542 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNFRG/FRG COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHDF/AMCONSUL DUSSELDORF PRIORITY 0198 RUEHFT/AMCONSUL FRANKFURT PRIORITY 7899 RUEHAG/AMCONSUL HAMBURG PRIORITY 0277 RUEHLZ/AMCONSUL LEIPZIG PRIORITY 0198 RUEHMZ/AMCONSUL MUNICH PRIORITY 2009 RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS BERLIN 000288
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR NEA/IPA (LENTZ),EUR/CE (SCHROEDER) AND
EEB/IFD/ODF (LEATHAM)
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN KPAL KWBG PGOV PHUM PTER EUN GM IS
SUBJECT: GERMAN PLEDGE AT MARCH 2 SHARM AL-SHEIKH DONORS'
CONFERENCE
REF: STATE 20388
UNCLAS BERLIN 000288
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR NEA/IPA (LENTZ),EUR/CE (SCHROEDER) AND
EEB/IFD/ODF (LEATHAM)
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN KPAL KWBG PGOV PHUM PTER EUN GM IS
SUBJECT: GERMAN PLEDGE AT MARCH 2 SHARM AL-SHEIKH DONORS'
CONFERENCE
REF: STATE 20388
1. (SBU) On March 6, 2009 Econoff contacted Jacqueline Groth
of the Middle East Regional Development Policy Division,
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
(BMZ) in Bonn, to confirm German support for the Palestinians
following the March 2 Donors' Conference in Sharm Al-Sheikh,
Egypt. As announced by Foreign Minister Steinmeier, Germany
will contribute 150 million euros.
2. (SBU) Groth explained that 100 million of the 150 million
euro pledge would go towards "social infrastructure,
employment generation and water infrastructure" (i.e., a
sewage plant in central Gaza). These funds are primarily
comprised of pledges made before the Paris Conference in late
2007. Projects supported with the funds could be
"re-activated as soon as appropriate framework conditions are
in place." Conditions include a "permanent ceasefire,
regulated reopening of border crossings, and
inter-Palestinian (sic) reconciliation."
3. (SBU) As for the balance, 13 million euros will cover
immediate humanitarian aid in 2009, according to Groth. The
remaining 37 million euros will be aimed at "reconstruction
and stabilization of the social situation." Groth noted that
the precise allocation of the funds was subject to
consultations with the Palestinian Authority. She added that
Germany envisaged making a "substantial contribution" through
the European Union's PEGASE mechanism to cover fuel costs for
the Gaza power station, as well as allocating funds to
water/sanitation and education projects. The timing and
degree to which the projects will be implemented depends on
the "evolution of the political situation."
4. (SBU) POLOFF also met with MFA Near East Bureau chief
Boris Ruge on March 5 to discuss reftel. Ruge,s breakdown
of the pledged amount tracks that of Groth. He added that
Germany,s ability to spend some of the pledged amount would
depend on the flexibility of Israel regarding access to Gaza
for various types of goods and materials, including
reconstruction materials.
5. (U) Econoff and POLOFF shared details on the U.S.
contribution with respective interlocutors, as suggested in
Reftel.
Koenig
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR NEA/IPA (LENTZ),EUR/CE (SCHROEDER) AND
EEB/IFD/ODF (LEATHAM)
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN KPAL KWBG PGOV PHUM PTER EUN GM IS
SUBJECT: GERMAN PLEDGE AT MARCH 2 SHARM AL-SHEIKH DONORS'
CONFERENCE
REF: STATE 20388
1. (SBU) On March 6, 2009 Econoff contacted Jacqueline Groth
of the Middle East Regional Development Policy Division,
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
(BMZ) in Bonn, to confirm German support for the Palestinians
following the March 2 Donors' Conference in Sharm Al-Sheikh,
Egypt. As announced by Foreign Minister Steinmeier, Germany
will contribute 150 million euros.
2. (SBU) Groth explained that 100 million of the 150 million
euro pledge would go towards "social infrastructure,
employment generation and water infrastructure" (i.e., a
sewage plant in central Gaza). These funds are primarily
comprised of pledges made before the Paris Conference in late
2007. Projects supported with the funds could be
"re-activated as soon as appropriate framework conditions are
in place." Conditions include a "permanent ceasefire,
regulated reopening of border crossings, and
inter-Palestinian (sic) reconciliation."
3. (SBU) As for the balance, 13 million euros will cover
immediate humanitarian aid in 2009, according to Groth. The
remaining 37 million euros will be aimed at "reconstruction
and stabilization of the social situation." Groth noted that
the precise allocation of the funds was subject to
consultations with the Palestinian Authority. She added that
Germany envisaged making a "substantial contribution" through
the European Union's PEGASE mechanism to cover fuel costs for
the Gaza power station, as well as allocating funds to
water/sanitation and education projects. The timing and
degree to which the projects will be implemented depends on
the "evolution of the political situation."
4. (SBU) POLOFF also met with MFA Near East Bureau chief
Boris Ruge on March 5 to discuss reftel. Ruge,s breakdown
of the pledged amount tracks that of Groth. He added that
Germany,s ability to spend some of the pledged amount would
depend on the flexibility of Israel regarding access to Gaza
for various types of goods and materials, including
reconstruction materials.
5. (U) Econoff and POLOFF shared details on the U.S.
contribution with respective interlocutors, as suggested in
Reftel.
Koenig