CENTRAL DUBLIN GROUP MEETING: FEBRUARY 2005

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 000823

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR INL/PC SCOTT HARRIS; UNVIE FOR HOWARD SOLOMON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR KCRM PREL EAID EUN USEU BRUSSELS
SUBJECT: CENTRAL DUBLIN GROUP MEETING: FEBRUARY 2005

REF: A) 04 USEU BRUSSELS 02683 B) STATE 32778


1. Summary. During its February 18 meeting, the members
of the Central Dublin Group (DG) reviewed regional reports
from Northern Africa (submitted by Spain),Other African
Countries (France),the Caribbean (France),South America
(Spain),and Central America/Mexico (U.S.). The U.K. gave a
presentation on Afghanistan's 2005 Counter Narcotics
Implementation Plan. The DG Chair presented a matrix
containing key points of proposals submitted by the members
for reform of the Dublin Group and asked that members convene
on the sidelines of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in
Vienna in March with their suggestions on changes to the DG
Guidelines. The chair will also be issuing an appeal for
candidates for chairman of the Central DG, replacing Ray Yans
who has been chair since 2002. UDEL to the meeting included
INL/PC Scott Harris, DEA attache Chris Kabel and USEU/NAS
Frank Kerber. End summary.

Thematic Discussion on Afghanistan
--------------


2. Keith Grieve, who substituted for Lesley Pallet of the
U.K.'s FCO Department on Drugs and International Crime, gave
a brief overview of Afghanistan's 2005 Counter Narcotics
Implementation Plan. (See reftel B) He said the Afghan
Government's Drugs Unit became operational on February 1.
The UNODC rep noted indications are that the 2005 poppy
cultivation will decline from the 130,000 MT produced in 2004
and which accounted for almost 60% of GDP. He said the UNODC
is participating in the verification program, but is not part
of the eradication program. A letter from several NGOs to
Secretary Rice dated January 31, 2005 on stemming

SIPDIS
Afghanistan's drug trade was circulated as a room document
but was not commented upon by the members. USDEL noted the
extent of the Afghan heroin crisis: Afghanistan now supplies
more than 85% of the world's heroin, morphine and opium. The
U.S. welcomes the Government of Afghanistan's commitment to
overcoming these challenges, and to aid Afghanistan's
efforts, the U.S. is committed to supporting a comprehensive
range of assistance activities covering all aspects of the
problem and promoting lasting change, including eradication;
alternative livelihood programs; law enforcement programs;
criminal justice assistance and public information campaigns.
The U.S. believes that the UNODC-administered Paris Pact is
an effective mechanism for identifying areas for and
coordination of international counter narcotics assistance
across transit regions from Afghanistan, especially for
Central Asia and the Balkans. The UNODC rep announced that
the next Paris Pact roundtable will be held in Islamabad
March 21-22. The Japanese rep noted that Afghanistan imports
precursor chemical for drug production. There is a need for
greater border controls. In response to a question from the
EC representative regarding aerial spraying, USDEL responded
that the U.S. will support the Afghan Government's decision
to use manual eradication in conjunction with alternative
livelihood development in 2005. If this is not effective, we
may need to consider alternative strategies.

Regional Reports
--------------


3. The members reviewed regional reports from Northern
Africa (submitted by Spain),Other African Countries
(France),the Caribbean (France),South America (Spain),and
Central America/Mexico (U.S.). In presenting the report on
Central America/Mexico, the U.S. rep noted that across the
region, there are strong indications that domestic drug
consumption is rising, particularly for cocaine and synthetic
drugs. Governments are clearly disturbed by this trend, and
in some cases, domestic demand reduction and treatment
programs are being expended. This is a relatively new
problem for governments in the region to confront, and such
domestic efforts are beginning from a very low baseline.
Donor assistance will be greatly in need for the foreseeable
future. Almost without exception, there are clear causal
linkages between the prevalence of drug production and
trafficking and the absence of state institutions. Donors
need to consider the development of law enforcement and
judicial institutions as a vital, mainstream component of
overall development strategies.


4. Spain and the U.S. agreed to keep the present regional
chairs for another two years. The U.S. rep noted a room
document entitled "List of EU Projects in Russia, including
HIV/AIDS" which had been distributed by the Commission. He
said this was a very helpful document and suggested the DG
might produce similar compilations for other countries or
regions. The U.K. rep noted a roundtable on organized crime
to be held in Addis Ababa on May 8-9, sponsored by the UNODC
and the African Union. The conference will examine the links
between drugs and crime to development problems in Africa.

Self Evaluation of the Dublin Group
--------------


5. The DG Chair presented a matrix containing key points of
proposals submitted by the members for reform of the Dublin
Group. Reform proposals had been submitted by the U.S.,
Japan, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Germany and the
Commission. The Chair asked that members convene on the
sidelines of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna in
March with their suggestions on changes to the DG Guidelines.
These texts will then be examined by a working group
composed of the U.K,, the U.S., Italy and the Commission
which will make final recommendations for consideration by
the summer DG meeting. The chair will also be issuing an
appeal for candidates for chairman of the Central DG,
replacing Ray Yans who has been chair since 2002.

McKinley
.