Dear Editor,

In your issue of Aug 4, UNDP's CMAC Coordinator Ian Bullpitt is quoted as saying

that the Netherlands is among a group of countries which have failed to deliver on

their pledges of assistance.

This is not the case and Mr Bullpitt knows this.

The Netherlands has indeed made a reservation for a substantial contribution to CMAC,

but we are awaiting comments by both CMAC and UNDP on the recommendations included

in the report of an independent assessment mission which reviewed CMAC's operations

and procedures at the request of donors.

Our request for comments was submitted through UNDP well over seven weeks ago. Today

- August 11 - we are still awaiting a response.

We respect those who have worked hard to ensure that CMAC is put back on a sound

management footing. Their efforts would best be rewarded by a speedy reponse by both

CMAC and UNDP to the mission's recommendations so that the Netherlands Government

can determine whether the circumstances are now right to release the pledged funds.

Laetitia van den Assum

- Ambassador of the Netherlands