TIMOR-LESTE: US ASSISTANCE AND BUDGET TRANSPARENCY

UNCLAS DILI 000108

SIPDIS

FOR EEB/IFD/OMA - J.JACOBY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PREL TT
SUBJECT: TIMOR-LESTE: US ASSISTANCE AND BUDGET TRANSPARENCY

REF: STATE 28885


1. Keyed to questions contained in reftel para 3, please find
Embassy Dili's responses with regard to U.S. assistance and
budget transparency on the part of the Governmment of
Timor-Leste.




2. Q1: IS THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EXPECTED TO RECEIVE OR IS IT
ALREADY RECEIVING U.S. FOREIGN ASSISTANCE FUNDED USING FY 09
FUNDS?



THERE IS NO DIRECT TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO GOVERNMENT, BUT USAID
DOES WORK WITH THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH IMPLEMENTING
PARTNERS WHO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING. IN
FY09, USAID WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND
TRAINING TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT. THIS INCLUDES, AMONG OTHER
ACTIVITIES: (A) PROVIDING AN INTERNATIONAL ADVISOR TO THE
PROSECUTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, MINISTRY OF JUSTICE; (B) TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE IN LAND TITLING TO THE NATIONAL LAND AND PROPERTY
UNIT, MINISTRY OF JUSTICE; AND (C) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN THE
PROVISION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES TO THE MINISTRY OF
HEALTH.



Q2: IS THE HOST COUNTRY'S BUDGET PUBLICLY AVAILABLE?



YES, HOST COUNTRY BUDGET IS PUBLICY AVAILABLE AND FOLLOWS A
STRICT PROCESS OUTLINED BELOW:


ONCE APPROVED BY THE NATIONAL PARLIAMENT AND PROMULGATED BY THE
PRESIDENT, THE GOVERNMENT OF TIMOR-LESTE'S (GOTL) ANNUAL BUDGET
IS PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE, THE JORNAL DA
REPUBLICA. THE PROCESS FOR APPROVING THE BUDGET IS OUTLINED IN
THE NEWSPAPER. THE BUDGET IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE MINISTRY OF
FINANCE WEBSITE. THE 2009 PARLIAMENTARY BUDGET DELIBERATIONS
WERE CARRIED LIVE ON LOCAL RADIO.


3. (U) THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE ALSO PUBLISHES QUARTERLY AND
ANNUAL BUDGET EXECUTION REPORTS WHILE THE BANKING AND PAYMENTS
AUTHORITY (BPA),TIMOR-LESTE'S QUASI-CENTRAL BANK THAT SERVES AS
THE CUSTODIAN OF THE PETROLEUM FUND, PUBLISHES QUARTERLY REPORTS
ON THE FUND'S ASSETS. THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE PUBLISHES ANNUAL
REPORTS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PETROLEUM FUND. ALL OF THESE
ARE AVAILABLE VIA THE INTERNET.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON HOST COUNTRY BUDGET, SEE THE
MINISTRY OF FINANCE WEBSITE AT: WWW.MOF.GOV.TL




Q: ARE INCOMES AND EXPENDITURES INCLUDED IN THE
PUBLICLY-AVAILABLE BUDGET?



YES, INCOMES AND EXPENDITURES ARE INCLUDED IN THE PUBLICLY
AVAILABLE BUDGET. THIS INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE MINISTRY
OF FINANCE WEBSITE, WWW.MOF.GOV.TL. EFFORTS ARE MADE TO PUBLISH
THE BUDGET IN THREE LANGUAGES: TETUM, PORTUGUESE, AND ENGLISH.

RECTOR