DEMARCHE RESPONSE: EU PREPARED TO INCREASE AMISOM

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 000446 SIPDIS FOR AF/RSA COL. SKARDON, C.TRINGLE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO SO EUN SUBJECT: DEMARCHE RESPONSE: EU PREPARED TO INCREASE AMISOM FUNDING REF: STATE 23811 ¶1. The European Commission has allocated 40 million euros for AMISOM support in 2008-2009 and is prepared to spend more if the African Union is able to absorb it, according to contacts. Poloff delivered reftel points March 27 to Ragnheidur Roubineau, Somalia desk officer at the Council Secretariat, who said the European Union is willing to spend "significant amounts more" on AMISOM support this year. ¶2. The EU has been frustrated by the slow pace at which the African Union has been able to spend the money it has been given for peacekeeper salaries and establishment of a new force headquarters. Of 20 million euros disbursed by the EU in 2008, only about a third has been spent, Roubineau said. Authority for some of that funding will expire in May and the AU might have to return unspent funds to the EU. The EU allocated an additional 20 million euro in January 2009, but has not yet released it to the AU because of the still-unspent carryover from 2008. The European Commission has 300 million euros in its newest African Peace Facility budget and could draw down an undetermined amount to support AMISOM. ¶3. On security sector reform, the EU continues to support police salaries and training through UNDP and would be willing to increase its support if the capacity to absorb more was evident, Roubineau said. MURRAY .