CONGRESSIONAL REQUEST FOR "HARM REDUCTION"

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000554 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR EUR/ACE, EUR/CACEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EAID KPAO SUBJECT: CONGRESSIONAL REQUEST FOR "HARM REDUCTION" DOCUMENTS REF: STATE 40264 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED -- PLEASE TREAT ACCORDINGLY ¶1. (SBU) Per reftel instructions, Post has conducted a comprehensive search of documents related to "harm reduction," drug legalization and programs co-funded with the Soros Foundation and affiliated organizations. ¶2. (SBU) The Embassy's search has not uncovered a single document that fits the criteria outlined in reftel. The Embassy has found one internal memo, however, regarding the Open Society Institute that it is forwarding via CD-ROM to EUR/ACE for Department consideration. ¶3. (SBU) USAID/Armenia has completed its search of electronic and paper files and can confirm that it has no materials related to any USAID/Armenia financing or support for "harm reduction" or drug legalization. USAID Mission files do, however, contain documents from AID/Washington sources or sources in other USAID Missions making reference to programs that fit the search criteria as outlined in reftel. ¶4. (SBU) USAID/Armenia has found approximately 320 documents with references to Soros Foundation or Open Society Institute. We are placing these files on a CD- ROM for immediate DHL to USAID and State (EUR/ACE Eileen Smith) as an interim response to the action request. Post will still need to review these documents to determine whether or not they relate to USAID involvement in, financing of, or support for programs also participated in by Soros or OSI. Thus far, all those examined relate to Soros involvement in the education and democracy sectors, but our reading of the USAID/Washington tasker is that they must still be submitted regardless of subject matter. If our interpretation is correct (please advise),they will have to be indexed and placed on CD ROMs for transmission to Washington in accordance with the instructions from USAID Deputy Administrator Schieck in his email message of March 24. USAID estimates that it will take approximately four weeks to complete the full review and indexing procedure. EVANS