Cablegate: Canada Will Contribute $35 Million to Support

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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8619
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STATE PASS TO USAID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID KDEM PGOV AF CA
SUBJECT: CANADA WILL CONTRIBUTE $35 MILLION TO SUPPORT
AFGHAN ELECTIONS

REF: A. OTTAWA 1331
B. STATE 108855

1. (SBU) Department of Foreign Affairs and International
Trade (DFAIT) Afghanistan Task Force Policy Advisor Jennifer
Kleniewski told pol/miloff on October 20 that Canada has
budgeted $35 million to support the 2009 and 2010 elections
in Afghanistan. In her follow-up to ref a, she also
specified that $25 million will go to the UNDP Basket Fund,
and $10 million to elections support specifically in
Kandahar.

2. (SBU) Kleniewski added that Canada will consider other
election-related funding options if Kandahar-based projects
are unable to absorb that entire $10 million. She noted that
Canada will not make the figure public until after Prime
Minister Stephen Harper selects a new Minister for
International Cooperation following the Conservative victory
in the October 14 federal election.

Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada

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