Cablegate: Consultations On Sudan Elections - Budgetary

VZCZCXRO6599
OO RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHC #6626 2312233
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 192216Z AUG 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO DARFUR COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 7406

UNCLAS STATE 086626

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPKO UNSC SU
SUBJECT: CONSULTATIONS ON SUDAN ELECTIONS - BUDGETARY
IMPLICATIONS

REF: STATE 84997

1. This is an addendum to State 84997, and USUN may draw
upon the points below during consultations on elections
preparations in Sudan scheduled before the Security Council
on August 20, 2009.

2. Begin points:

--The United States continues to be a staunch supporter of
holding fair and credible elections in Sudan at the earliest
feasible time. We recognize the enormity of the task and the
extraordinary expense of planning and conducting an election
under less than ideal circumstances, and thank the
Secretary-General for providing the cost implications for the
planned elections. Holding multiparty, national elections in
Sudan will require the assistance of not only the UN Mission
in Sudan (UNMIS) but the UN/AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID),
and it is crucial that they provide this support. While we
support elections in Sudan and would like to support the
request for additional funds, the sum of $46.6 million is
substantial. It requires an analysis of the projected uses
of the funds, particularly in light of the funds already
dedicated to the election effort by USAID and the
international community.

--Preliminary cost estimates provided in Addendum 1 of
S/2009/391 indicate more than $28 million is estimated for
air transportation alone - more than half the total projected
amount. Included in the projection is the cost of operating
21 helicopters for varying periods. The United States
believes a comprehensive and carefully detailed line item
explanation for this item is necessary, as well as a full
description of the services and tasks to be accomplished
utilizing air transportation.

--Similarly, over $15 million is projected to be expended for
police and civilian personnel. In order to assess the
utility of such expenditures, it would be helpful to have a
detailed description of the types of personnel to be employed
and their specific functions relating to elections processes
in Sudan. There may be opportunities to reduce these and
other costs and we would be remiss not to explore them. If
no cost reduction opportunities exist, then we will have
completed our due diligence and can justify lending our
support to this increase.

--The United States firmly believes elections in Sudan are a
critical part of implementing the Comprehensive Peace
Agreement and establishing durable peace and reconciliation
in Sudan; however, it is essential to optimize all
expenditures for election preparations. In principle, we
strongly support adequately funding the elections effort, but
before the United States can commit to an increase in force
levels or mission funding, we may need to notify the U.S.
Congress with the details of the increase. We therefore urge
the Secretary-General to provide a more detailed and exact
projection of all costs, by line item and subcategories, of
all projected expenditures included in the financial
implications of Addendum 1. With additional information we
believe we will be able to justify our support for the
additional resources.

Thank you.
CLINTON

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