US embassy cable - 05MINSK780

UNCLAS MINSK 000780 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
KIEV FOR USAID 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID, AORC, SENV, UNDP, BO 
 
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL CHERNOBYL REHABILITATION PROGRAM: 
URGING USG PARTICIPATION 
 
This is an action request.  See para 5. 
 
2.  The International Program Cooperation for Rehabilitation 
(CORE) was established in 2002 following a UN report on the 
remaining consequences in Belarus of the Chernobyl disaster. 
According to UNDP officials who briefed DCM and poloff 
recently, the report signaled a shift in assistance 
priorities from emergency relief to long-term rehabilitation 
and development.  The Declaration of CORE principles, which 
were signed by 27 international partners, including the 
majority of Western embassies and international 
organizations in Belarus (but not the USG), emphasizes the 
importance of sustainability, integrated approach and the 
involvement of local populations in assistance projects. 
The Chernobyl Children International, an offshoot of an 
Irish organization, which recently registered as a U.S. NGO, 
and the Mott foundation, are also signatories, according to 
the local UNDP reps. 
 
3. The CORE program itself is a mechanism through which 
projects in the Chernobyl region initiated by local groups 
can be matched up with interested donors.  UNDP as the 
coordinator and administrator compiles the projects, screens 
them and then makes them available for donors.  Financing 
can then be channeled directly to the implementer or through 
UNDP.  Technically, the program is still in a pilot phase 
and operates in only four districts of Belarus - Bragin, 
Chechersk, Stolin and Slavograd (Brest, Gomel and Mogilev 
oblasts) - but is expected to be expanded soon.  In the 
first year of operation, 2004, 50-60 projects were 
supported; this year 42 projects have been identified in the 
first of two rounds.  In addition to these small projects, 
the CORE framework includes larger, "topical" projects in 
the areas, of education, radiation information, health and 
agriculture.  TACIS has committed two million Euros to fund 
topical projects, mainly in the health field. 
 
4.  CORE small projects, which focused on independent 
information and education on radiation levels, environment, 
youth and women's health, are not unlike those implemented 
by the US NGO Counterpart before it was de-registered by 
Belarusian authorities.  The UNDP program officer, who 
earlier worked for Counterpart, noted that many of the local 
groups that Counterpart supported are now working with UNDP. 
 
5.  ACTION Request:  Post urges Department to explore with 
UNDP the possibility of working with CORE.  UNDP reps note 
that signing on to the CORE principles is not a funding 
commitment.  CORE participation can leverage assistance 
dollars because UNDP pre-screens projects and performs other 
administrative services out of its own funds.  Moreover, 
project registration is facilitated because the program 
enjoys the support of the GOB and being under UNDP auspices, 
USG supported activities would not attract the attention of 
GOB authorities.  CORE could offer a relatively easy avenue 
to expand USG involvement in Chernobyl rehabilitation, an 
area in which we have not been active. 
 
KROL