KOWI PARTNERS MEET, LAY OUT CONCERNS TO GOB

UNCLAS RANGOON 000790 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV, INL USPACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR PGOV BM SUBJECT: KOWI PARTNERS MEET, LAY OUT CONCERNS TO GOB REF: A. RANGOON 680 ¶B. RANGOON 240 ¶1. (SBU) ACCORDING TO UNODC'S BURMA OFFICE, ON JUNE 21ST EIGHT AGENCIES OF THE BURMESE GOVERNMENT SAT DOWN WITH THE UN, INGO, AND JAPANESE GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS FOR THE KOKANG AND WA INITIATIVE (KOWI) TO DISCUSS BARRIERS TO SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION. NO DONORS WERE INVITED TO ATTEND. ACCORDING TO UNODC IT WAS THE FIRST TIME ALL PARTNERS WERE AT THE TABLE TOGETHER WITH RELEVANT GOB AGENCIES TO DISCUSS THE PROGRAM. IF SUCCESSFUL, KOWI WILL PROVIDE CROP SUBSTITUTION AND OTHER ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS WHO FORMERLY RELIED ON GROWING OPIUM POPPIES. ¶2. (SBU) AT THE MEETING, CHAIRED BY THE HOME AFFAIRS MINISTRY'S CENTRAL COMMITTEE FOR DRUG ABUSE CONTROL (CCDAC), THE 17 IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS TABLED A LIST OF EIGHT OPERATIONAL AREAS IN WHICH IMPROVEMENT WAS NEEDED IN THE WA AND KOKANG REGIONS. UNODC SAID THE PARTNERS WOULD FURTHER FLESH THESE ISSUES OUT THEN PRESENT THEM FORMALLY (THOUGH IN AN INFORMAL WAY) TO THE GOB FOR FURTHER ACTION. THE EIGHT AREAS ARE: -- IMPROVED TRANSPORT AND ACCESS INTO THE REGION AND WITHIN THE REGION (PARTICULARLY BETWEEN MILITARY REGIONS); -- SECURER METHODS TO TRANSFER FUNDS INTO THE REGION; -- BETTER ACCESS TO CHINA (FOR PROCUREMENT OF GOODS AND FOR BANKING OF NEEDED FUNDS); -- BETTER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN RANGOON AND THE FIELD AND BETWEEN IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS. THE BEST WOULD BE AN INDEPENDENT COMMUNICATION SYSTEM THAT IS NOT RELIANT ON THE GOB'S ELECTRICITY SUPPLY AND IS NOT CONTROLLED BY THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES; -- BETTER SECURITY, INDEPENDENT OF THE MILITARY OR POLICE FORCES WHOSE ACTIVITIES IN THE WA AND KOKANG CEASE-FIRE AREAS ARE OFTEN CONSTRAINED, FOR WORKERS IN THE REGION; -- ACCESS TO A RELIABLE MEDEVAC SERVICE; -- MORE LENIENT IMPORT RESTRICTIONS, PARTICULARLY FOR AUTOMOBILES. WE NOTE THAT THIS IS A BURDEN FOR ALL NGOS, AND OTHERS WITHOUT DUTY-FREE PRIVILEGES, OPERATING IN BURMA. THOUGH ILLEGALLY IMPORTED CARS ARE WIDELY AVAILABLE IN THE BORDER AREAS, THE GOB ONLY ALLOWS THE CLOSEST BUSINESS CRONIES TO LEGALLY IMPORT VEHICLES; AND, -- DEVELOPMENT OF A LONG-TERM PLAN BY THE GOB TO ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE PROJECT FOLLOWING THE PHASE-OUT OF UN INVOLVEMENT. ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT: CONSIDERING THE VAST NUMBER OF INVOLVED PARTIES, CONTINUATION OF THIS TYPE OF ALL-HANDS COORDINATION WILL BE VITAL TO MAXIMIZING THE POTENTIAL OF THE KOWI PROJECT. THE CONCERNS THE PARTNERS RAISED ARE EXTREMELY VALID, BUT THEY WILL BE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO RECTIFY. EVEN IF PARTNERS, OR DONORS, ARE WILLING TO FOOT THE BILL, WE ARE DOUBTFUL THE GOB WILL BE ABLE TO (OR WILLING TO IN SOME CASES) ADDRESS MANY OF THESE SENSITIVE ISSUES. END COMMENT. MARTINEZ