US embassy cable - 04AMMAN8013

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 008013 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USDOC FOR A/S LASH 
 
TREASURY FOR OASIA - LARRY MCDONALD 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2009 
TAGS: PREL, ECON, EFIN, EAID, JO, IZ, EU 
SUBJECT: MORE ON EU SUPPORT FOR IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION, 
UPCOMING ELECTIONS 
 
REF: A. BRUSSELS 4025 
 
     B. AMMAN 7841 
 
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES A.I. DAVID HALE, REASONS: 1.4 (B & D) 
 
 1.  (C) European Commission (EC) Iraq Delegation chief Ana 
Gallo Alvarez provided additional information to us on 
planned EU support for Iraq reconstruction and elections (ref 
A) during a meeting in Amman on September 21.  According to 
Alvarez (who resides in Amman pending improvement in the 
security situation in Baghdad), the EU is prepared to provide 
Euros 30 million in grants to the International 
Reconstruction Trust Fund Facility for Iraq (IRFFI) election 
trust fund.  Alvarez said that the grant, to be announced at 
or before the upcoming October 13-14 Tokyo conference, will 
consist of Euros 15 million in new funds and Euros 15 million 
in reprogrammed 2004 IRRFI assistance. 
 
2.  (C) While confirming that the EC will not send an 
observer mission to Iraq due to the security situation, 
Alvarez said that the EU is looking for ways to provide 
indirect support, e.g., through training of other election 
observers, NGOs, Iraqi election officials, and/or other 
election-related assistance to be provided to the UN 
electoral team in Baghdad.  She confirmed that an EC 
exploratory committee, probably led by a Director General, 
will come to Amman during the first week of October.  In 
addition to meeting with UN, UNDP, and Iraqi electoral 
commission members, Alvarez said that the committee (which 
will not be travelling to Iraq) would appreciate 
consultations and/or inputs from knowledgeable USG officials 
in Iraq.  We agreed to pass on this request, and offered and 
to provide whatever assistance we can to facilitate receipt 
of such information 
 
3.  (U) Baghdad Minimize Considered. 
HALE