TNAG-1313-FCO40-1688-Future-of-Hong-Kong-views-and-involvement-of-Australia--Cana-1984 — Page 85

The European Community had already allocated £26 million of humanitarian or Ethiopia in the last 12 months (117,000 tonnes of cereals. 8.000 tonnes of other foods and assistance with transport, seeds and medicines). On 25 October the Prime Minister sent a message to Dr Fitzgerald as President of the European Council of Ministers, to urge further assistance for Ethiopia from the

European Community.

European Development Ministers meeting in Brussels on 6 November endorsed proposals to provide food and other emergency aid worth £35 million to African countries affected by the drought, in particular Ethiopia. This includes 100,000 tonnes of food grain.

At the meeting of Community Development Ministers on 6 November Mr Raison urged the Community to reach agreement quickly on the size and use of the 1985 food aid

programme so that African countries in desperate need can be guaranteed supplies. Mr Raison also urged the Council to make early decisions committing the

£65 million of emergency aid which is available from the fifth European Development Fund for 1985. In the last six weeks £3.5 million emergency aid has been allocated to Ethiopia and is now being used.

Britain also took the initiative in stimulating discussion on the important and difficult task of coordinating the efforts of donors. The British Government welcome the recent announcement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the appointment of Mr Kurt Gunnar Jansson as Assistant Secretary-General for Emergency Operations in Ethiopia. Mr Jansson will work with UN organisations involved in relief efforts and promote coordination with other donors and

voluntary organisations.

Information Department

Overseas Development Administration 01-213-4909