Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRUSSELS446
2009-03-27 14:02:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USEU Brussels
Cable title:
DEMARCHE RESPONSE: EU PREPARED TO INCREASE AMISOM
how-toVZCZCXRO2383 OO RUEHAG RUEHBZ RUEHDF RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHIK RUEHJO RUEHLZ RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHTRO DE RUEHBS #0446 0861402 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 271402Z MAR 09 FM USEU BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE
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
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
.
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
.