REQUEST TO RE-OBLIGATE INL FUNDING FOR MOZAMBIQUE

UNCLAS MAPUTO 001320

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR INL/AAE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PTER SNAR PREL MZ
SUBJECT: REQUEST TO RE-OBLIGATE INL FUNDING FOR MOZAMBIQUE

REF: SECSTATE 152538


1. INL proposes to de-obligate Mozambique Border Security
Technical Assistance funds of FY04 $191,418 and FY05
$216,000. These currently obligated funds support the highly
successful training and equipment program for Mozambican
border guards and supervisors. Mozambique's borders are
lengthy and porous, allowing easy passage to bordering
countries such as South Africa. Those same porous borders
provide for unimpeded transport of narcotics, illegal arms
and persons, all of which make Mozambique vulnerable to
terrorist activity. Training of border guards is essential
to the security of the nation and region. Due to innovative
leveraging of resources by Embassy Maputo, FY06 funds in the
amount of $198,000 were returned to INL without detriment to
the Border Security Program. However, the FY04 and FY05
funds are key to the long-term effectiveness of the program
because there is no FY07 funding.


2. The program is two-pronged: it provides multi-faceted
border security training and then follows up with equipment
to maximize the benefits of this training. One round of
training of both border guards and supervisors is complete.
We are in the process of purchasing the equipment which the
border guards were trained to use in the initial training
course. Failure to deliver the equipment will significantly
devalue the initial training. We are also ready to schedule
a round of advanced training in December for a second group
of border guards along with a concomitant number of
supervisors. The initial training program is scheduled to be
repeated in early 2008 and will focus on some of the border
guards and supervisors who were not able to attend the
initial training held in 2007. The commitment of the USG to
this further training was announced by the Charge at the
graduation ceremony for the initial training group.


3. This program has been successful on many levels. Guards
were trained in vehicle search techniques, methods of
locating and monitoring illegal crossing sites as well as
identification of forged documents, all of which help plug
porous borders. The program also succeeded in bringing
together the USG, the Government of Portugal and the
Government of Mozambique to leverage program funds, allowing
for the training of far more guards than would have been
possible without the inter-governmental cooperation. The GoP
provided Portuguese-speaking trainers and a pre-designed
training program for the cost of transportation and per diem
for the trainers which allowed for significant cost savings
for the USG. The Government of Mozambique provided housing
and food for the attendees, resulting in further savings of
USG money.
Chapman