EMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT CONCURRENCE ON FY08 REQUEST FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L NOUAKCHOTT 000683 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR PM/PPA, AF/RSA AND AF/W E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2012 TAGS: MASS PINR MR SUBJECT: EMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT CONCURRENCE ON FY08 REQUEST FOR SECTION 1206-FUNDED PROPOSAL "IMPROVE PARTNER NATION INTELLIGENCE" Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, Steven Koutsis for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C/rel NACT) The US European Command J2, in conjunction with the Defense Attache Office at U.S. Embassy Nouakchott, has developed a request for funding under section 1206 of the National Defense Authorization Act entitled &Improve Partner Nation Intelligence.8 The Chief of Mission strongly supports this request as being a significant proposed contribution to the war on terror. As required by the procedures to request Section 1206 funding for FY08, this message provides Chief of Mission concurrence for the listed proposal. ¶2. (C/rel NACT) The intent of intelligence training under the Trans Sahara Counter Terrorism Partnership (TSCTP) and Operation Enduring Freedom ) Trans Sahara (OEF-TS) intelligence capacity building program is to develop a self-sustaining indigenous military intelligence capacity capable of detecting, tracking, reporting, and sharing intelligence on terrorist activities across the region. This is a key component of the host nation,s ability to help deny safe havens and capture or kill known terrorists. EUCOM J2 has developed a multi-prong approach to accomplish the Military Intelligence training mission and professionalize the host nation Military Intelligence organizations. The EUCOM J2 plan delivers training in a multi-lateral forum, trains more students than currently possible and funded in the regular IMET program, and builds multi-lateral intelligence relationships. a. After initial assessments of the Partner Nation military intelligence capabilities, Military Intelligence Seminars form the first step toward intelligence capacity building. These seminars familiarize the participants with basic military intelligence processes and tactical and operational building block skills (map-reading, military symbology, Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield ) IPB). Seminars culminate with a scenario-driven practical exercise, designed to apply intelligence skills learned during the three phases of training. TSCTP hosts to date include Chad, Mali, Niger, Mauritania, and Senegal. These seminars are funded through Title X means and set the stage for the planned follow on courses. b. The next step is Basic Military Intelligence Training. EUCOM J2 is developing an International Military Intelligence Course, modeled on the U.S. MI Officer Basic Course program of instruction. Training addresses the intelligence cycle, collection management, Military Decision Making Process, analysis, and in-depth IPB. Beginning in November 2007, USEUCOM hopes to offer this course (in MTT format) to train selected officers and NCOs from TSCTP partner nations. The plan emphasizes a multinational student body, with a view toward long-term partner cooperation. Coalition Intelligence Fusion Cell exercises are integral to the course. FY07 1206 funds are the planned &seed8 money to build this capability at the European-Regional Joint Intelligence Training Facility (E-RJITF). The 1206 funds enable the ERJITF to expand their mission set from U.S. Intelligence Training to include Foreign Military Intelligence Training (FMIT). ¶3. (C/rel NACT) FY08 1206 proposal &Improve Partner Nation Intelligence.8 The FY08 1206 proposal &Improve Partner Nation Intelligence,8 is to continue the program initiated with the FY 07 1206 funds establishing the capability at EUCOM,s E-RJITF to send out contractor provided training in a mobile training team (MTT) format. The FY 08 Section 1206 funding will also allow EUCOM J2 to identify options for specialty training which meets partner nation requirements. These courses may include photo/imagery interpretation, CT analysis, open source exploitation, and terrorist-network financing. These training events will be conducted by the E-RJITF via MTT, or in residence at the E-RJITF facilities in Molesworth, England on an &as needed" or &as requested8 basis in order to meet each country,s specific intelligence training requirements, and may be bilateral or multilateral events. In addition, these funds will support development of an advanced Military Intelligence Training course to encourage the long term growth and sustainment of a professional military intelligence officer corps. The FY 08 Section 1206 funding will get the training team on contract, develop the courses, procure the equipment they will use in the classroom environment, and fund the required travel by students and instructors. ¶4. (C/rel NACT) Eventually the program will transition to a sustainable African-led Regional Military Intelligence Training Activity that provides high caliber training, builds multinational military intelligence relationships, and sustains a supply of MI professionals to man intelligence staffs at all levels. ¶5. (C/rel NACT) EUCOM J2 staff has conducted extensive coordination with both the country team and the host country Director of Military Intelligence. The Embassy and the host country are strongly on board and in favor of this capacity building program. Koutsis