REQUEST FUNDING TO INCREASE LOCAL GUARD FORCE PROGRAM AND

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 001165 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, AF/EX AND DS/IP/OPO/FPD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AFIN ABLD ABUD ASEC ET SUBJECT: REQUEST FUNDING TO INCREASE LOCAL GUARD FORCE PROGRAM AND OTHER SECURITY REQUIREMENTS TO SUPPORT INCREASED/GROWING DIPLOMATIC PRESENCE IN ADDIS ABABA ¶1. This is an action request. See paragraph 12 for action requested. ¶2. SUMMARY: Over the past several months, Embassy Addis Ababa acquired 17 additional off-compound residences to support new positions assigned to Post and provide housing for personnel who previously resided on the Chancery compound and are being relocated in preparation for construction of the NEC (the majority of on-compound residences are scheduled to be demolished). By the summer 2007, Embassy Addis Ababa will acquire a total of 34 additional off-compound residences to support a combination of new positions assigned to post (as well as personnel being relocated from the Embassy compound),and will have a total of 125 off compound residential locations spread out over three separate residential districts of the city. Over the past year the Embassy spent over 24,000 USD for Local Guard force (LGF) overtime to meet additional security requirements, primarily related to staffing posts at recently acquired residences. This expense will increase as the Mission continues to grow and the RSO office is required to meet increased security requirements. Our already stretched LGF will be unable to meet this requirement if it is not provided additional personnel and equipment. In order to provide necessary security support for the increased number of residences and USDH personnel, RSO Addis Ababa requires additional Local Guard Force (LGF) personnel and resources. END SUMMARY. ¶3. The 34 additional off-compound residences are as follows: -------------- U.S Mission to the African Union (USAU) -------------- Since November 2006, the Embassy has acquired 3 residences to support USAU as follows: USAU COM USAU POL/ECON USAU OMS By summer 2007, the Embassy will acquire 4 additional residences to support USAU as follows: USAU DCM USAU PAO USAU HEALTH OFFICER USAID FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OFFICER All above residences (with the exception of the USAU COM) will be assigned 12 hour, 7 day guard coverage. The USAU COM residence will be assigned 3 guards on duty, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. -------------- USAID -------------- �A; Since November 2006, the Embassy has acquired 5 residences to support USAID as follows: USAID FOOD FOR PEACE USAID DEPUTY CONTRACTING OFFICER USAID COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER USAID HIV ADVISOR USAID Financial Management Officer By Summer 2007, the Embassy will acquire 1 additional residences to support USAID as follows: USAID CONTRACTING OFFICER All above USAID residences will be assigned 12 hour, 7 day guard coverage. -------------- AFRICAN CENTER FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES (ACSS) -------------- Since November 2006, the Embassy has acquired 1 residence to support ACSS as follows: ACSS Director By Summer 2007, the Embassy will acquire 1 additional residences to support ACSS as follows: ACSS Deputy Director All above ACSS residences will be assigned 12 hour, 7 day guard coverage. -------------- -------------- COMBINED JOINT TASK FORCE HORN OF AFRICA (CJTF HOA) -------------- -------------- By Summer 2007, the Embassy will acquire 1 additional residences to support CJTF HOA as follows: CJTF HOA NCOIC All above CJTF HOA residences will be assigned 12 hour, 7 day guard coverage. -------------- REGIONAL AFFAIRS OFFICE (RAO) -------------- Since November 2006, the Embassy has acquired 3 residences to support RAO as follows: RAO DEPUTY RAO ANALYST RAO ANALYST By summer 2007, the Embassy will acquire 2 additional residences to support RAO as follows: RAO SECURITY OFFICER RAO ADMIN OFFICER All above RAO residences will be assigned 12 hour, 7 day guard coverage. -------------- MISCELLANEOUS -------------- Since November 2006, the Embassy has acquired 2 residences to support miscellaneous requirements as follows: DCM ARSO By summer 2007, the Embassy will acquire 7 additional residences to support miscellaneous requirements as follows: DATT NCO DEPUTY POL/ECON OFFICER POL/ECON OFFICER MSG DET COMMANDER RSO STS VICE COUNSUL COM OMS All above residences will be assigned 12 hour, 7 day guard coverage. -------------- PEACE CORPS -------------- Since November 2006, the Embassy has acquired 3 residences to support Peace Corps requirements as follows: COUNTRY DIRECTOR ADMIN OFFICER COMMUNITY HEALTH OFFICER By summer 2007, the Embassy will acquire 1 additional residence to support Peace Corps requirements as follows: DEPUTY DIRECTOR All above Peace Corp residences will be assigned 12 hour, 7 day guard coverage. -------------- ADDITIONAL LGF AND SECURITY REQUIREMENTS -------------- ¶4. The increased U.S. Mission presence in Addis Ababa will require one additional LGF Mobile Patrol on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our existing 3 LGF mobile patrol teams are already stretched to the limit, providing security patrol services to over 100 locations and responding to calls for assistance throughout the 4 geographic regions (Entoto, Bole, Old Airport and Piazza) of Addis Ababa the Embassy maintains official and residential locations. By the end of summer 2007 the Embassy expect to have a total of 125 residential compounds. Addis Ababa hosts the third largest US diplomatic presence in Africa, with over 500 U.S. Direct Hire (USDH) personnel and their members of household under Chief of Mission (COM) authority. Local traffic conditions are becoming increasingly congested, delaying response times to an unacceptable level. Local police response is not reliable and generally deficient to support our requirements. In order to provide personnel under COM authority a reasonable level of security services under local conditions, RSO Addis Ababa requests funding assistance to implement an additional mobile patrol team (to include employing additional LGF personnel, purchasing an additional LGF patrol vehicle and operating expenses). A LGF mobile patrol team requires two LGF personnel on duty (a driver and a supervisor) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To staff this post, we will require 7 additional LGF personnel. A LGF patrol vehicle will cost 25,000 USD to purchase, and 5,800 USD to operate for one year. Total amount required to stand-up an additional LGF mobile patrol team is 73,700 USD. ¶5. The USAU COM residence requires 3 guards on duty, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To staff these posts, we will require 10.5 LGF personnel. Total amount to stand up LGF support for USAU COM residence is 43,000 USD per year. ¶6. Each of the additional 33 residences will have one LGF personnel on duty, 12 hours a day (1830 to 0630),7 days a week. To staff these posts, we will require 1.75 LGF personnel per residential location for a total of 57.75 LGF personnel. The total cost (salary, benefits, uniforms and miscellaneous equipment) to employ one LGF residential personnel for a year is 4,100 USD. Total amount required to stand up LGF presence at 33 residences is 236,755 USD per year. -------------- LGF UNIFORMS -------------- ¶7. Additional guards require additional uniforms and related equipment. Each new guard requires the following: BDU Pants, 2 each per year: 60.00 USD Polo Shirt, 4 each per year: 60.00 USD Parka, 1 each every 3 years: 40.00 USD Windbreaker, 1 each every 3 years: 18.00 USD Flight jacket: 1 each every 3 years: 30.00 USD Security cap: 1 each every 1 year: 8.00 USD Sweater: 1 each every 2 years: 40.00 USD Socks: 2 each every year: 10.00 USD Raincoat: 1 each every 2 years: 14.00 USD Safety Boots: 1 each every 2 years: 65.00 USD Equipment Belt: 1 each until worn out: 25.00 USD Uniform trouser belt: 1 each until worn out: 7.00 USD Radio Carrier: 1 each until worn out: 27.00 USD Whistle: 1 each until worn out: 8.00 USD Baton Holder: 1 each until worn out: 4.00 USD Flashlight holder: 1 each until worn out: 4.00 USD TOTAL AMOUNT REQUIRED UNIFORM/EQUIP EACH GUARD: 420 USD TOTAL AMOUNT REQUIRED UNIFORM/EQUIP 70 GUARDS: 29,400 USD -------------- RESIDENTIAL PHYSICAL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS -------------- ¶8. The average cost to complete security improvements at one newly acquired residence is as follows: SECURITY GRILLS: 3500 USD RAZOR WIRE: 1700 USD LOCKS: 400 USD SECURITY ALARM: 1400 USD SRWF 700 USD TOTAL: 7700 USD Local property owners are generally reluctant to complete required physical security improvements as part of the lease agreement. The Embassy actively favors leasing residences that already meet most of our physical security requirements, with limited success. Before acquiring a residence, the Embassy aggressively negotiates with the landlord to complete required physical security improvements as part of the lease agreement. On the rare occasion they do, it is cost prohibitive and reduces (in some cases eliminates) the GSO's ability to negotiate favorable lease terms and conditions in the locally competitive and property owner friendly real estate market. RSO Addis Ababa requires 261,800 USD to complete physical security improvements to 34 newly acquired residences. -------------- RADIOS FOR LGF -------------- ¶9. Currently the LGF has 155 hand held two-way radio units to support operations at the Embassy, USAID, CDC, Warehouse, 3 mobile patrols and approximately 100 residential locations. The Embassy has not purchased any two-way radio equipment for the LGF since early ¶2004. Some of these radios units have exceeded their useful service life and are no longer fully functional or reliable. Each of the newly acquired residential locations will require one hand held radio for LGF use. We require a total of 40 new handheld replacement radios for LGF use. Each handheld radio unit costs 800 USD, including a radio, battery, charger and programming. LGF operations also require 2 base station radios (16,000 USD) to support operations at the GSO warehouse and Peace Corps compound. Total amount required to bring the LGF hand held radio network up-to-date will require 75,200 USD. -------------- RESIDENTIAL SECURITY COORDINATOR -------------- ¶10. By the end of summer of 2007, post will have over 120 residential units consisting of single unit houses (multiple unit compounds are not readily available on the local real estate market) spread out over an ever increasing geographic area. The majority of these residences do not meet physical security standards, or are otherwise deficient. While the RSOs conduct initial surveys of all residences before they are acquired, we lack the time to sufficiently conduct follow up meetings with landlords, contractors and GSO to verify the necessary security work is completed before occupancy. Over the past couple of years, more then half of the houses acquired failed to receive adequate attention in regards to ensuring physical security standards were met and maintained. To correct this deficiency, RSO Addis Ababa requests funding assistance to establish an Eligible Family Member (EFM) Residential Security Coordinator (RSC) position. In addition to ensuring the residences meet physical security standards, the RSC will supervise a local staff of two residential security technicians, oversee an annual budget of approximately 261,000 USD, manage a large inventory of residential security equipment, manage a large number of pending work requests with post's GSO, manage on-going and consecutive projects completed by outside contractors as well as provide residential security briefings and orientation to occupants at their homes. ¶11. The requested EFM RSC positions will require the following funding assistance tom establish: -35,000 USD for salary benefits and start up costs; -5,300 USD for furniture and equipment Total amount request to establish an EFM RSC position: 40,300 USD -------------- TOTAL FUNDING REQUESTED -------------- ¶12. In Summary, Addis Ababa RSO requests the following funding assistance to Post's LGF and security program: 73,700 USD for an additional mobile patrol vehicle and staff; 75,200 USD for LGF radios; 261,800 USD for residential security upgrades; 43,000 USD for residential guards at the USAU COM's residence; 236,775 USD for residential guards at the thirty three new official residences; 29,400 USD for LGF uniforms/equipment; 43,300 to establish an EFM RSC position. TOTAL AMOUNT REQUESTED: $763,175.00. -------------- RSO COMMENTS -------------- ¶13. RSO Addis Ababa requests the Department's approval in regards to the above requirements, and provides the following comments: -Currently there are no viable alternatives other than employing FSN/PSC guards. The majority of local security guard companies in Addis Ababa provide services at a very low standard in regards to personnel, management, uniforms, training, equipment and lack the experience and qualifications to protect diplomatic personnel and facilities. There is only one semi-reasonable local company that provides contract security services; even this firm falls short of meeting the requirements of the Embassy in all aspects. -At present time there are no expatriate companies in Ethiopia that provide contract security services. The GOE would most likely be reluctant to approve and receive foreign firms that provide contract security services in their county. This is not likely to change in the near term; -There is no viable substitute to posting guards at Embassy houses during evening hours. The crime rating for Ethiopia is high and the terrorism rating for Ethiopia remains a serious concern. All other residences in Addis Ababa occupied by diplomatic and international entities as well as wealthier Ethiopians employ 24 hour guards. If the Embassy can not meet this requirement, residences occupied by COM personnel will become soft targets and more vulnerable to hostile intrusion or attack; -The majority of diplomatic missions and international entities in resident in Addis Ababa employ in-house guards forces for the same reason we do - there are no other viable alternatives. -Embassy personnel already pay for guards out of their own pocket during the daytime hours (when they are more likely to be away from their residences),it is reasonable and prudent for the USG to provide professional, well-trained and equipped guards during the evening hours when they are more likely to be at home); -Automatic gate openers and central alarm monitoring systems do not exist in Ethiopia. There are no companies in Ethiopia that provide these goods and services. Furthermore, the Embassy lacks the logistical ability and technical expertise to implement and maintain this type of equipment; -One can not count on local police patrols and response capabilities to adequately ensure the security and safety of COM residences, personnel and their families. Ethiopia is a developing country with limited resources and abilities. Most working level law enforcement and security personnel are less then well trained, and do not speak English (most USDH personnel do not speak Amharic). The USG has an obligation to take adequate measures towards ensuring the safety and security of diplomatic personnel and facilities. A robust and capable LGF is our first line of defense, as well as the first responders we rely on when encountering routine situations as well as emergency incidents; -Clustered/compound housing is not available in the locally competitive and property owner friendly real estate market. RSO Addis Ababa already works with Post management towards ensuring residences we acquire are located in the three residential districts where we already have houses. However, as we expand our diplomatic presence, the area in which we maintain residences will undoubtedly expand as well; -Local traffic conditions (heavy congestion) and increased number of USDH personnel and locations requires additional patrol coverage to ensure timely response in the event of an emergency. We are already doing everything possible to maximize our three existing mobile patrols; we require an additional fourth patrol mobile patrol to support this growing Mission; -There is no replacement for maintaining a LGF radio network. Cells phones are expensive to purchase and maintain. During times of crisis local land line and cell phone networks become quickly overloaded and are frequently shut off by the host country government as a means of rumor control. There has not been any upgrades to the LGF radio network for over 3 years, some of the equipment is due to be replaced and additional equipment is required to support the growing number of locations protected by the LGF; -With the already large and growing number of Embassy residences, it is impossible for the RSOs to stay on top of ensuring residential security requirements are met and maintained. Meetings with contractors and the GSO is time consuming, as is traveling to the residences through heavy traffic and the large geographic region in which they are located. Without the EFM RST positions, the RSOs are faced with neglecting other responsibilities, to include; managing a large LGF managing physical and procedural security at five official locations (Embassy, USAID, CDC, Peace Corps and GSO Warehouse) and other areas requiring direct attention by USDH RSO personnel; -Without the requested LGF support the RSO will be unable to meet providing reasonable level of security for the Embassy. Under current staffing, the LGF is already stretched beyond its capacity. In order to sustain current operations, we are forced to deny leave requests and accumulate a large amount of overtime. For the longer term (especially as the Mission continues to grow),this situation is not sustainable for reasons of morale and economics. ¶12. The RSO urgently requires the above funding assistance in order to provide USG diplomatic personnel and their families a continued reasonable level of security. There are serious security concerns confronting U.S. diplomatic personnel throughout the region, including Addis Ababa. With out additional LGF and security resources to meet the demands of this already large and rapidly growing mission, we will not be able to meet our obligations of ensuring the security of US diplomatic personnel family members and facilities. YAMAMOTO