US embassy cable - 05OTTAWA1226

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 001226 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SA/A (MEGHAN BRADLEY) 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/2015 
TAGS: PREL, EAID, AF, CA, UNSC, Elections 
SUBJECT: CANADA: DEMARCHE ON FUNDING AFGHANISTAN'S 
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS 
 
REF: STATE 061560 
 
Classified By: POL M/C Brian Flora, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) In a conversation on April 20 with Foreign Affairs 
Canada contacts (please protect), poloff was told privately 
that GoC financial assistance to the Afghanistan elections 
could be in the range of CDN 5-10 million (approximately USD 
4-8 million).  The amount of the contribution is expected to 
be finalized within the next month or so, subject to approval 
by the Minister of International Cooperation, Aileen Carroll. 
 
2.  (SBU) According to information provided by the Canadian 
International Development Agency (CIDA), once approved by the 
Minister, the unearmarked contribution will be quickly 
transferred to the UNDP.  More generally, GoC aid remains on 
target, with Afghanistan being Canada's largest aid 
recipient.  Allocations totaling CDN 616.5 million 
(approximately USD 493.2) have been committed to Afghanistan 
for the period 2001-2009, and the Canadian contribution to 
the upcoming Afghan elections will be drawn from this fund. 
 
 
Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa 
 
DICKSON