JAKARTA - DS/ATA AND SPECIAL DETACHMENT 88

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 003162

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, S/CT DS, DS/IP/EAP, DS/DSS/ITA AND
DS/T/ATA
DOJ FOR CTS THORNTON, AAG SWARTZ
FBI FOR ETTIU/SSA ROTH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2017
TAGS: ASEC PTER EFIN KCRM KHLS KPAO ID
SUBJECT: JAKARTA - DS/ATA AND SPECIAL DETACHMENT 88

REF: A. A) JAKARTA 00545 B) JAKARTA 00292 JAKARTA 00248
C) 06 JAKARTA 05485 D) 05 JAKARTA 14789

B. E) 03 STATE 310662

Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY RSO JEFF LISCHKE. REASON 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (U) Begin Summary. Post appreciated the visit of DS/ATA
Director Steve Brunette and DS/ATA Desk Officer Steve
Hargrove. In addition to signing the Memorandum of Intent
between the Embassy and the Indonesian National Police (INP),
the visit provided useful ideas on improving the already
successful performance of DS/ATA sponsored INP
counter-terrorism unit Crisis Response Teams (CRT) from
Special Detachment (SD) 88. Post was relieved to hear that
the DS/ATA program will continue and that a "graduation" from
the program will be gradual and not occur in the near future.
The purpose of this cable is to provide background
information on SD-88 and articulate our future plans to
enhance the capabilities of SD-88, including by assigning a
DS/ATA technical advisor to the Mission. End Summary.

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How to improve SD-88
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2. (S/NF) Post has discussed ways to improve SD-88,
including the use of U.S. Military --- to conduct the
training. However, because of the sensitivity and potential
political ramifications of the U.S. Military training
civilian INP personnel, we recommend against this. Post
believes it is important to maintain a civilian law
enforcement culture within SD-88. Additionally, the DATT is
concerned that if his Indonesian Military (TNI) counterparts
discovered that our U.S. military was training civilian INPs
it would harm his relationship with the TNI.


3. (C) Post believes, and the DS/ATA Director said he
concured, that with proper planning and dedication of
resources, the DS/ATA program can take the SD-88 training to
a more advanced level. Post proposes the establishment of a
long-term ATA technical advisor (TA) who would be responsible
for conducting an assessment of the current capabilities of
SD-88 and develop and implement a training program that would
take SD-88 to the next level.


4. (C) To take SD-88 to the next level, the Detachment will
need training on a variety of tactical operations - both
urban and rural. Additionally, SD-88 personnel need to
develop their investigative and surveillance skills,
technical intelligence capabilities and their command and
control and planning capabilities while continuing to refine
their marksmanship and room entry techniques. It is also
critical for the DS/ATA to maintain a low profile and remain
"behind the scenes" and out of the press and give credit
where credit is due, i.e. to the INP.


5. (C) In an effort to facilitate SD-88's deployment and
make it a more effective and cohesive unit, DS/ATA is in the
process of constructing a dedicated facility for SD-88 CRT-1
which is the INP HQ National CRT. The facility is located in
Cikeas just outside of Jakarta and will consist of a command
center and briefing rooms. The expected completion date of
this project is May 2008.

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Military or Civilian
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6. (S/F) One key to the success of this more advanced
training is to identify and select the most qualified person
as technical advisor. We believe that keeping the DS/ATA
training in civilian hands is important to the success of the
program. There is no doubt that while a retired military
person with the requisite special forces/counter-terrorism
background might bring a lot to the table, we feel that a
civilian with extensive civilian law enforcement SWAT
experience would be a better choice. We would, however, like
to take advantage of the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC)
Joint Combined Exercise Training (JCET) program as long as
Post leadership determines what type of training they offer
SD-88 personnel.


JAKARTA 00003162 002 OF 002


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Summary
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7. (C) The success of SD-88 in the counter-terrorism arena
is undeniable. However, there is always room for improvement
and we all agree that SD-88 needs more specialized advanced
and sustainment training. DS/ATA is operationally capable and
stands ready to launch this new initiative that will take
SD-88 to the next level. POC is RSO Jeff Lischke at
62-21-3435-9013.
HUME