COESPU AT SIX MONTHS: MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS, U.S.

UNCLAS ROME 001159 SIPDIS DEPT FOR PM/PPA, S/CRS, EUR/ACE; NSC FOR CLINT WILLIAMSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPKO MARR MOPS PREL PGOV IT SUBJECT: COESPU AT SIX MONTHS: MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS, U.S. STAFFING PROBLEMS REF: STATE 52470 ¶1. Summary and Action Request. The Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units (COESPU) in Vicenza, part of the larger Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) (a Presidential initiative),has trained 127 gendarme peacekeepers from six countries in its first six months. New courses are set to start in May. UNDPKO certifies the COESPU graduates, readiness and has proposed holding training courses for Formed Police Unit (FPU) commanders at the Center. Before launching this initiative, the USG pledged to provide the deputy director for COESPU but has been unable to fill that position beyond May 2006, raising the possibility of a vacancy that will weaken Italian confidence in U.S. support and reduce U.S. influence over the project's future. Action Request: That the Department secure an interagency decision to ensure a suitable deputy director for COESPU by May 2006 (see paras 4 and 5). End Summary and Action Request. Six countries already participating in COESPU -------------- 2 . COESPU is a joint U.S.-Italian initiative launched by President Bush and Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi at the 2004 Sea Island G-8 Summit. The Center has completed its first round of courses for 127 gendarme peacekeepers from six countries committed to creating stability police units (SPUs) deployable in international peacekeeping operations. On December 7, 2005, COESPU awarded High Level Course certificates to 29 trainees from India (8),Jordan (10), Kenya (6),Morocco (2),and Senegal (3). On February 26, 2006, COESPU finished its first Middle Management Course for mid-level officers, graduating 98 trainees from Cameroon (17),India (18),Jordan (30),Kenya (20),Morocco (3),and Senegal (10). Italy and the U.S. (Reftel) have asked the six countries to submit more nominees for the next High Level course (May 16 ) June 16) and Middle Management course (May 2 ) June 16). In addition, the U.S. and Italy will soon expand their outreach beyond the initial group of six and invite more countries to develop internationally deployable SPU,s through COESPU,s train-the-trainer programs. COESPU links to the UN -------------- ¶3. UNDPKO, which already certifies COESPU graduates as ready to participate in UN peacekeeping operations, has agreed to inspect and certify SPUs in country once they are formed. COESPU and UNDPKO have also established links between police and gendarme peacekeeping doctrine and training. During March 13 ) 17, COESPU hosted the first UN Command Development Seminar offered to current commanders of UN Formed Police Units (FPUs) and their Police Commissioners. The seminar was attended by 58 FPU commanders, UN police commissioners, and deputy commissioners representing 25 of the UN,s 27 FPUs worldwide. Working with COESPU staff, UN Police Chief Mark Kroeker and the police commanders produced a draft comprehensive doctrine for FPU formation and organization. UNDPKO, which paid the bulk of the seminar's USD 250,000 cost, has proposed institutionalizing the seminar as a semi-annual FPU Commander's Basic Course required for all new UN FPU commanders. Critical Issue: Filling The U.S. Deputy Director Position -------------- -------------- ¶4. COESPU risks going into the second round of courses with no U.S. personnel on its staff. Italy strongly desires to have U.S. military personnel assume key planning and administrative roles alongside the 143 Italian Carabinieri at COESPU. Since COESPU opened, the U.S. has designated two separate U.S. Army colonels on 90-day TDY assignments to serve in that position during the first courses. The current TDY deputy director will begin out-processing on May 5 and is scheduled to depart COESPU on May 21. The USG has not yet identified a replacement as USG-wide discussions about how to staff and fund this position in support of a Presidential initiative continue. Comment -------------- ¶5. U.S. staff participation in COESPU lends important credibility to the initiative in the eyes of current and future participants, ensures our commitment and influence in molding COESPU's future, and reinforces Italian confidence in the project. Italian Carabinieri and MFA officials at all levels underscore the importance of maintaining a visible, high-profile role for U.S. personnel. Allowing the deputy director position to go unfilled would send a very unfortunate message to our Italian partners and to future COESPU students. Reaching a solution to this outstanding issue before May 5 would maintain US staffing continuity at the Center and signal our resolve to continue supporting this already successful Presidential initiative. BORG