US embassy cable - 04BRUSSELS2086

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 002086 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W - ARIETTI; AF/RSA - SCHOFIELD; 
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS USAID FOR C. GRIGSBY; TREASURY FOR 
ALEX SEVERINS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID, EFIN, PGOV, LI, EUN, IMF, USEU BRUSSELS 
SUBJECT: EC MOVING FORWARD WITH AUDITORS FOR LIBERIA 
 
REF: MONROVIA 0716 
 
1.  Following receipt of reftel, USEU contacted DG 
Development Liberia Desk Officer Arend Biesenbroek for a 
status report on their funding of auditors to assist in the 
review of financial controls at six key government agencies. 
Biesenbroek reported that the terms of reference for this 
program had just been completed and that the next step is to 
select a company to perform the audits.  One key area of 
concern is the physical protection of the auditors. 
Biesenbroek reported that UNMIL has indicated it will cover 
the auditors protection needs. 
 
2.  Biesenbroek said that he was aware of the IMF's concerns 
about delays, and noted that the European Commission had used 
expedited procedures which will permit direct contracting of 
auditors for this task.  An optimistic outlook for "financial 
boots on the ground" is 4-5 weeks. 
 
FOSTER