EXBS Afghanistan Advisor Monthly Border Management

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 KABUL 000881

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ISN/ECC PVANSON, ACHURCH, CBCRAFT; CBP/INA FOR CDONOFRIO;
DOE/NNSA FOR RSTUBBLEFIELD; DOC FOR ELOCKWOOD-SHABAT; DOT FOR
APARAMESWARAN; SECDEF FOR MHOFFMANN, FLIGHT, AND RVIERKANT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP AF

SUBJECT: EXBS Afghanistan Advisor Monthly Border Management
Initiative Reporting Cable - February 2007

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I. SUMMARY


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The European Union (EU) has approved a plan for
a European mission to Afghanistan aimed at enhancing training for
the Afghan National Police. The ESDP mission will strengthen the
European contribution to police training, of which the largest part
is now the German Police Program Office. It will work closely with
the U.S. effort as implemented by CSTC-A Police Reform Directorate
by means of an International Police Coordination Board. The Italian
Guardia di Finanza will continue to train border police in Herat
Province and is being solicited by the Afghan Customs Department
(ACD) to train their officials in Kabul. The Border Management Task
Force (BMTF) has submitted a proposal to DOS/INL requesting support
and related costs for the BMTF mentorship program at the Islam Qalah
Border Crossing Point (BCP). BMTF is addressing security issues at
the Islam Qalah BCP construction site with CSTC-A and the Government
of Afghanistan (GoA). The ACD recognizes and is taking the
initiative to improve the economic development at the BCPs by
working with other ministries to develop a comprehensive development
plan. The BMI Working Group met with representatives from each of
the neighboring country Embassies to attend and discuss border
issues affecting their relationship with Afghanistan. The
participating countries were Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and
Tajikistan. The BMTF Border Police Coordinator has drafted follow-up
recommendations of the Afghan Border Police's (ABP) new mobile
strategy detailing the developing infrastructure, equipping and
integrated border specific technology when implementing this new
strategy. A small team representing the BMTF and the Afghan
Engineering Department (AED) traveled to Regional Command-South
(RC-South) on two separate occasions to conducted briefings with
RC-South border stakeholders outlining current and planned
infrastructure projects. END SUMMARY.

II. ITEMS OF BROAD INTEREST.


2. (U) On February 12, 2007 EU foreign ministers approved a plan
for a European mission to Afghanistan aimed at training and
mentoring the Afghan police units. The European team will operate in
the Afghan capital Kabul and in five other regions, with an
estimated cost of 40 million euros in 2007. The 70 additional
officers are expected to arrive in Afghanistan by May or June 2007
and combined with the 90 currently in country, will comprise the EU
projected mission of 160 police officers. The EU has been
considering sending such a mission for several months, under
pressure from NATO which has called on the bloc to do more in
Afghanistan. NATO chief Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has suggested that
the 27 EU nations take charge of police training while NATO,
concerned at the increase in armed resistance from the Taliban,
concentrate their efforts on aiding the Afghan army. The EU foreign
ministers, in their draft agreement, also stress their wish to
continue collaborating with the Afghan government "to stabilize and
reconstruct this country" in the development field as well as in
security issues.

3. (SBU) Another newcomer to Afghanistan, the Italian Guardia di
Finanza (GdF),a law enforcement agency charged with protecting the
economic stability of Italy whose experience extends to customs and
border enforcement processes and procedures, has recently completed
a training course for the Afghan Border Police (ABP) at the
DOS/INL/DynCorp Regional Training Center (RTC) in Herat. Although
the Border Management Task Force at the US Embassy requested a copy
of their curriculum prior to any training, it wasn't received until
the completion of their first course of instruction. Unfortunately,
it was discovered that the course material consisted primarily of
Customs processes and procedures. Although members of the Border
Management Initiative (BMI) requested the GdF to train Customs
officials in Kabul, the GdF insisted on residing in the Herat
Province and training border police at the RTC in Herat.


4. (SBU) In January 2007 the GdF were advised that the RTC would

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experience an increase in basic police training for the Afghan
National Civil Order Police (ANCOP) and the Afghan National
Auxiliary Police (ANAP) prohibiting them from initiating a 2nd
course of instruction. BMI contacted the Italian Embassy and
suggested the GdF be relocated to Kabul to teach their curriculum to
Customs officials. However, CSTC-A PRD and DOS/INL have found a way
to accommodate the Italians at the Herat RTC. Efforts are underway
to assure the GdF develop a curriculum that is in keeping with the
needs of the ABP and the Customs Police. In the interim, the Afghan
Customs Department (ACD) is preparing a proposal to the Italian
Embassy requesting additional GdF personnel be sent to Kabul to
train Customs officers.


5. (SBU) In January 2007 the BMTF met with DynCorp representatives
in an attempt to get estimates on the costs associated with housing
BMTF mentors at the INL/DynCorp Islam Qalah Border Training Facility
(BTF),formerly called the FOB. To date, these figures have not
been received by the BMTF because DOS/INL required a proposal
request for their support of the BMTF mentorship program prior to
furnishing these costs. The BMTF has complied with this request and
expects a decision in the near future by DOS/INL regarding their
ability to support the BMTF mentors and the related costs. The BTF
is currently in the 2nd and final phase of construction which is
expected to be completed in May or June 2007. If allowed, the BMTF
mentors would be scheduled to arrive when this construction phase is
complete.


6. (SBU) As reported in January's cable a continuing problem
exists at the Islam Qalah Border Crossing Point (BCP) involving a
fuel dump operation sanctioned by the Herat Province Governor which
is operating illegally within the confines of the BCP. Because of
the presence of approximately 12 DOS/INL/DynCorp mentors and
contractors working on a $15 million project funded by the United
States at this BCP, a mutually agreeable solution for moving the
operation outside the BCP facility is being discussed between the
BMTF, CSTC-A and the GoA. BMTF has contacted various humanitarian
organizations to direct their attention to the conditions of the
local population surrounding the BCP in an attempt to garner their
support.


7. (SBU) The areas around the various BCPs cannot be ignored. In
the long term, if the BCPs are to be successful the areas
surrounding them must also be developed. This effort will be led by
the ACD and will be supported by the Ministries of Urban Development
and Rural Rehabilitation and Development. In order to achieve
development around the BCPs, a comprehensive plan must be developed
and implemented for each of the communities surrounding the BCPs.
Coordination and cooperation with the Government of Afghanistan's
initiatives must occur to take advantage of other initiatives that
target the areas surrounding BCPs. Additionally, the ACD must work
with the international development community to coordinate
pre-existing projects in the BCP areas and plan for comprehensive
development of those areas. Finally, when the ACD has determined the
inputs necessary to achieve these goals, they must also arrange for
donor contributions to bridge any remaining shortfalls. The BMI is
assisting in this endeavor through the coordination of all its
members and has reached out to the humanitarian community as well to
inform them of these initiatives to gain and coordinate their
support.

8. (SBU) On February 27, 2007 the ACD hosted the BMI Working Group
meeting which brings together all the stakeholders involved in the
border regions. The ACD invited representatives from each of the
neighboring country Embassies to attend and discuss border issues
affecting their relationship with Afghanistan. The participating
countries were Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. China
and Pakistan representatives were unable to attend but promised to
make every effort to attend these meetings in the future. This
forum provided the proper atmosphere to rekindle discussions
previously abandoned regarding border issues such as economic

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development and trading issues that promise to shape better
relationships. The BMI Working Group (chaired by the Ministry of
Finance) intends to coordinate further bilateral discussions between
the GoA and its neighbors to discuss a broader scope of topics
including the shared responsibility of neighboring countries to
improve border security (NOTE: No USG personnel will be involved in
facilitating or otherwise contacting Government of Iran officials
for this purpose. END NOTE).

9. (SBU) A new ABP strategy drafted and approved by MoI, CSTC-A
PRD and the GPPO revising programs and procedures from lessons
learned was addressed in the January EXBS cable. Subsequently, the
BMTF Border Police Coordinator has drafted follow-up recommendations
detailing the following to assist in the ABP's mobile strategy,
developing infrastructure, equipping and integrating border specific
technology to consider when implementing this new strategy:
- Improving mobility and rapid deployment to quickly counter and
interdict threats.
- Applying a defense-in-depth approach that makes full use of
interior checkpoints and enforcement operations calculated to deny
successful illegal entry and smuggling attempts with special
emphasis focused to develop both fixed checkpoints and mobile patrol
operations and exploiting force multipliers with electronics,
communications and optics
- Coordination and partnering with other law enforcement agencies
- Improving border awareness and intelligence
- Provide specialized border police training to enable Border
Policemen to safely and effectively perform their responsibilities
- Threat/Risk Analysis
- Electronic Monitoring Strategies of Interdiction
Environmental Compatible Integrated Communications
- Recruiting and Retention Strategies
- Success/Failure Measurement Monitoring System


10. (SBU) A small team representing the BMTF and the AED traveled
to Regional Command-South (RC-South) on two separate occasions
during this reporting period. While in Kandahar, the BMTF/AED team
conducted briefings with RC-South border stakeholders outlining
current and planned infrastructure projects with RC-South ISAF/USACE
engineers and PRT representatives. The team and RC-South officers
reviewed procedures, requirements and benefits of the Afghanistan
Country Stability Picture (ACSP) program. In addition, the team met
with the Kandahar Regional Police Advisory Team (RPAT) Commanders to
review ABP and border related programs and challenges. Additional
monthly follow-up and work group meetings are planned with RC-South
engineers to improve infrastructure project coordination efforts.


11. (SBU) The BMTF/AED team also traveled to the Spin Boldak
region in Kandahar Province on two occasions to conduct site recons
of the Spin Boldak BCP and its operations at Weesch. Because there
are no Customs facilities at Weesch where commercial traffic enters
Afghanistan from Pakistan en route to Spin Boldak, a great loss of
GoA revenue and cargo is lost. The BMTF team met with local ABP
Officers, the Spin Boldak Customs Director and ACD-Kandahar
representatives to discuss current BCP procedures and options for a
future BCP at Weesch. Results of the recon trips and new BCP options
were reviewed with the ACD Director General who agreed to follow up
with land procurement research and a plan of action. ACD officials
in Kabul, Kandahar and Spin Boldak remain very enthusiastic about
the possibility of a new BCP project in Weesch to improve the
control of commerce and the collection of revenue in this porous
border region. The BMTF/AED team was supported by ISAF RC-South and
DoS/INL Civilian Police Mentors during these recon visits.


12. (U) TRAINING CONDUCTED DURING REPORTING PERIOD.

Nothing to report.


13. (U) EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING REPORTING PERIOD.


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Under Procurement.


14. (SBU) IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS UPDATE.

EXBS is awaiting the delivery of x-ray screening machines for
baggage and cargo, fiber optic scopes, density meters, radioisotope
identifiers, explosive detectors, handheld metal detectors, cranes,
forklifts, vehicle inspection kits, and tool kits destined for the
Islam Qalah and Towraghundi BCPs. Delivery is scheduled in March
2007 for the 3 x-ray baggage and cargo scanners; April 2007 for the
explosive detectors; July 2007 for the fork lifts; and August 2007
for the cranes. However, no dates are available for the remaining
items, but the EXBS Advisor has secured temporary storage for the
equipment and will coordinate logistical arrangements as the
equipment arrives. An 'End-User Statement' has been provided to the
GoA and will need to be received by ISN/ECC before delivery of the
Sabre tri-mode detection systems can be scheduled.


15. (U) SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS,
NONPROLIFERATION, OR RELATED BORDER SECURITY.

Nothing to report.


16. (U) OTHER SIGNIFICANT ISSUES/EVENTS.

Nothing to report.


17. (U) RED FLAG ISSUES.

Nothing to report.


18. (U) Please direct any questions or comments to Barry F. Lory,
EXBS Advisor to Afghanistan; +93-070-073-652, or local extension
4230; lorybf@state.gov or to Cassady Craft, South Asia Regional
Program Analyst, Office of Export Control Cooperation,
202-647-1063,craftcb@state.gov.

NEUMANN