US embassy cable - 04DUBLIN749

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000749 
 
SIPDIS 
 
EB/ODF FOR RDEMARCELLUS; EB/IRAQ FOR MKISSEL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID, ECON, EFIN, PREL 
SUBJECT: IRAQ ASSISTANCE: IRELAND EARMARKS 1 MILLION EURO 
IRGFFI CONTRIBUTION FOR UNICEF 
 
REF: SECSTATE 108776 
 
1.  Ireland and UNDP have exchanged administration contracts 
for Ireland's one million Euro contribution to the 
International Reconstruction Trust Fund Facility for Iraq 
(IRGFFI).  In response to reftel demarche, Aine Hearns, 
Assistant Principal in the Development Cooperation 
Directorate, Rehabilitation Assistance office, told Poloff on 
May 17 that the GOI had tried to transfer the funds to UNDP 
already.  Something went wrong at the bank in New York and 
today they hope to sort it out. 
 
2.  Ireland earmarked the money for primary education 
programs run by UNICEF.  Hearns recalled that at the last 
donors conference, Ireland had mentioned a possible three 
million Euro contribution over three years.  She said Ireland 
would see how it went with the first million before 
committing further. 
 
3.  Hearns said that the Netherlands would represent the 
Presidency (as presidency sur place) at the meeting in Qatar 
May 25-26 and that the Commission would be there.  She added 
that she is fully briefed on Iraqi development issues since 
she serves as a member of the Iraqi Core Group, representing 
the EU Presidency. 
KENNY