[allAfrica.com]


Netherlands Boosts Amis Force in Darfur New Contribution Totals 20 Million
Euros

The Daily Monitor (Addis Ababa)
NEWS
December 12, 2006
Posted to the web December 12, 2006
Addis Ababa
The Netherlands government and the African Union (AU) on Monday concluded an
agreement on a contribution of 20 million Euros to boost the capacity of AU
mission in Darfur (AMIS), thereby helping ensure implementation of the Darfur
Peace Agreement, the embassy of the Netherlands announced in a statement
yesterday.
According to the statement, the 20 million Euros will be used to fund the
personnel costs (salaries, life insurance, etc.) of AMIS military observers,
force protection, civilian police, international staff and national staff.
The contribution is also meant to facilitate preparations for a dual AU/UN
force as proposed by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and agreed to by the
AU-PSC of November 30th, the statement said.
The agreement was signed by the Dutch Ambassador to Ethiopia and to the AU, Mr.
Alphons Hennekens, and AU Director for Peace and Security, Geoffrey Mugumya.
After the signinig of the agreement, Dutch Ambassador to Ethiopia and to the
AU, Mr. Alphons Hennekens said the Netherlands was, is and will remain a strong
and committed partner to the work of the brave soldiers of the African Union in
Darfur, according to the statement.
Ambassador Hennekens also called on the Government of Sudan to respect the SoFA
with the AU and to immediately lift "restrictions on AMIS such as the imposed
curfew, limited access to airfields and unnecessary import regulations" and to
accept the Annan's proposal for a dual AU/UN force in full.
The Netherlands is one of the largest bilateral donors of AMIS having committed
almost 40 million Euros in bilateral funds alone.
These funds have been used to purchase essential communication and IT
equipment, to lease fixed wing aircraft to distribute cargo and personnel to
and from Darfur and to lease helicopters, said the statement.


===============================================================================
    Copyright © 2006 The Daily Monitor. All rights reserved. Distributed by
                   AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
===============================================================================