INL BUDGET CALL: LEBANON RESPONSE

UNCLAS BEIRUT 001013 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ELA, INL/RM, AND INL/AAE - RICHARD AND ROESS, DS, DS/IP/NEA AMMAN FOR LEGATT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ABUD ASEC EAID KCRM LE SNAR SUBJECT: INL BUDGET CALL: LEBANON RESPONSE REF: STATE 34328 ¶1. (SBU) While Embassy Beirut is not an NAS post, it can conduct activities in support of INL's two performance goals: -- Countering international trafficking in drugs, persons, and other illicit goods; and -- Promoting international cooperation to combat drugs and crime. With this in mind, the following information is offered in response to the FY 2008 counter-drug and anticrime assistance planning guidance and budget call for the INL Bureau Performance Plan (reftel). ¶2. (SBU) Project Title: Evidence Response Team Training -- Project Description: In this new project, the Department is partnering with the FBI to provide needed training and technical assistance in the fields of crime scene management and post-terrorist incident investigation. The object for the first year of training is to assist the Lebanese government in forming two ten-member Evidence Response Teams (ERTs). Funding for FY-2006 comes from the Economic Support Fund, reallocated from USAID to the Department, with a Congressional waiver allowing its use for law enforcement purposes. -- Resources Requested: USD 2 million for FY-07. This project can be continued in future years using INL anticrime funds. Funding for FY-06 is approximately USD 1 million. -- Resource Justification: Building the Lebanese government's evidence-response capacity will require several years of core and specialty courses taught by FBI instructors. This will contribute to achieving anticrime goals by helping the Lebanese government meet the challenge of properly investigating a terrorist campaign of destabilization, as the first step towards identifying and punishing the perpetrators, as well as deterring future attacks. The course curriculum can be adjusted year-to-year as an integrated, long-term USG assistance plan for the Lebanese security sector takes shape. ¶3. (SBU) Project Title: Development of Lebanese Maritime Counter-narcotics. -- Project Description: INL-funded maritime project commenced with a 1998 U.S. Coast Guard and Customs assessment but was suspended in 2003 due to lack of funding. It aimed at building Lebanon's counter-narcotics capabilities using the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies' (DIILS) Model Maritime Service Code (MMSC) program. Future phases include developing Lebanese interagency maritime legal procedures, coordination, and assisting the Lebanese government with training in maritime interdiction. In addition to the existing maritime interdiction program, we envision follow-on programs in overland narcotics interdiction focused on the Syrian and Israeli borders and Bekaa Valley illicit drug eradication focused on opium and hashish. -- Resources Requested (specify the dollar amount and type of funds: USD 195,000 each year for four years for a total of USD 780,000 for training funds, primarily for U.S. DIILS Mobile Training Teams. Each year would include mobile training team assistance, classes, instruction materials, etc., in three separate areas: maritime interdiction, overland interdiction, and domestic eradication. -- Resource Justification (indicate progress made toward major goals and objectives; explain what the requested funds will procure and how they will contribute to achieving counter-narcotics or anticrime goals). Resources will permit completion of a multi-phased effort to develop a Lebanese interagency maritime counter-narcotics system with specified, deconflicted, clear legal authorities and responsibilities and substantive training in interdiction of narcotics traffickers and legal disposition of narcotics and narcotics trafficking associated materiel. Counter-narcotics training will expand to include overland narcotics interdiction and Lebanese domestic illicit drug production. ¶4. (SBU) Project Title: Training for ISF Counter-Terrorism Unit -- Project Description: The Internal Security Forces (ISF) has requested FBI assistance in the establishment of a new counter-terrorism unit. This program would use FBI trainers to provide eight weeks of training courses to 20 ISF officers. Specific courses would address counter-terrorism, information management, surveillance and counter-surveillance, counter-intelligence, interview and interrogation, raids and arrests, communications monitoring, and investigative techniques. -- Resources Requested: USD 50,000. -- Resource Justification: This training program would build the Lebanese government's capacity to counter terrorism threats. This will contribute directly to achieving anticrime goals. FELTMAN