FURTHER GROUNDWORK ON PROPOSED TRILATERAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 005709 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP, SCT/CRUMPTON, INR/EAP, EAP/RSP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/J, DS/ATA USPACOM ALSO FOR FPA HUSO SECDEF/OSD/ISA/AP FOR ALLEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2015 TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV ASEC AS JA RP SUBJECT: FURTHER GROUNDWORK ON PROPOSED TRILATERAL COUNTERTERRORISM COOPERATION CONFERENCE REF: A. MANILA 5486 ¶B. STATE 191306 Classified By: (U) Acting Political Counselor Joseph L. Novak for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C/NF) Summary. The Japanese are now seeking to shift the dates of the proposed Trilateral Terrorism Cooperation Conference in Manila from mid-January to early February 2006. The primary focus of the meeting would be on maritime security, with help for Philippine National Police (PNP) reform and "peace building activities" also suggested items for the agenda. End Summary. ¶2. (C/REL AUS/REL JPN) In a follow-up to the November 22 working level talks on the proposed Manila Trilateral Counterterrorism Cooperation Conference (refs A and B),an expanded group from the Japanese, Australian, and US Embassies, including development assistance, law enforcement, military, and security officials, met December 2 for a roundtable discussion. The meeting was hosted by the Japanese Embassy with the aim of reviewing bilateral cooperation with the GRP and examining possible agenda items for the Manila Trilateral discussions. Japanese Political Counselor Taeko Takahashi indicated that Tokyo was now looking to host the conference in Manila in early February 2006, vice the earlier proposed dates of mid-January. She said the Japanese agreed the primary focus should be on maritime security issues. ¶3. (SBU) In a review of bilateral programs, Japanese representatives noted that, in addition to development assistance targeting Mindanao, Japanese counterterrorism assistance was devoted primarily to the PNP and Philippine Coast Guard. GoA representatives remarked that Australia, like the United States, devotes 60-percent of its development aid to Mindanao. (Note: The Philippines currently receives A$55 million -- roughly $40 million USD -- in annual development assistance, making it the 6th largest recipient of Australian aid. End Note.) Similar to US programs, Australian efforts are focused on the underlying poverty and underdevelopment that help create the conditions for terrorism, including terrorist recruitment. Australian bilateral counterterrorism assistance, which was increased in May 2005 to A$10 million (roughly $7.5 million USD) over five years, is directed at building the counterterrorism capabilities of the PNP, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI),and the Philippine Center for Transnational Crime (PCTC). ¶4. (C/REL AUS/REL JPN) According to Australian Defense Attache Colonel Chris Burns, Australia has decided to supply 15 small boats to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for use in riverine and marsh operations in central Mindanao. This package would include spare parts and training. Australia was also pursuing a maritime security initiative that would assist the Philippines in establishing a "coast watch" system in Mindanao. Burns said an Australian maritime needs analyst was now in country conducting an overall assessment. He offered to share the results of this assessment with Japanese and US counterparts. ¶5. (C/REL AUS/REL JPN) Ian Sinclair, the resident Australian Police Advisor, noted that bilateral GoA law enforcement assistance was focused on the PNP Bomb Data Center, development of a case management system for the PNP, NBI, and PCTC, post-blast investigation skills, and intelligence training, dealing with both tactical and strategic skills. Sinclair said the case management system consisted of a central data base linking the PNP, NBI, and PCTC, with outstations -- including terminals in Zamboanga, Davao, and General Santos City -- providing national coverage. The planned installation of terminals in a total of 168 locations would provide the GRP with a central counterterrorism intelligence data base, which would encourage interagency cooperation, the Australians hoped. ¶6. (C/REL AUS/REL JPN) The US side briefed on its extensive counterterrorism cooperation, which include: USAID development assistance; Joint US Military Advisory Group-Philippines (JUSMAG-P) support for defense reform; Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) advice; assistance, and intelligence fusion to the AFP and civil-military operations in Mindanao; Joint Interagency Task Force-West (JIATF-West) maritime intelligence fusion centers; and INL-funded interagency law enforcement assessment of the PNP. Takahashi suggested that the upcoming conference could focus on additional areas where there appeared to be synergies among the Australian, Japanese, and US efforts. ¶7. (C/REL AUS/REL JPN) In addition to maritime security, Takahashi thought coordinating efforts with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and PNP were worth considering, as well as development of programs to promote more tolerant madrassah curriculum. She proposed that the Australian maritime needs assessment be presented as a paper at the February conference, with each country taking the lead on a concept paper on a specific issue, identifying weaknesses and potential areas of support and cooperation on the issues of maritime security -- including the PCG (Australia),PNP reform (US),and "peace building activities" (Japan). (Note: Takahashi stated that Tokyo hoped that the intelligence exchange in February on the situation in the southern Philippines could occur at "above the secret level." End Note.) Visit Embassy Manila's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm Jones