BOSNIA DEMINING: PROSECUTOR REQUESTS QSI REPORT

UNCLAS SARAJEVO 000804

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR (DICARLO),D (SMITH),P (BAME),EUR/SCE (HOH,
SAINZ, FOOKS),EUR/ACE, EUR/NCE,EUR/RPM (BROTZEN),F,
L/LEI, OIG, AND PM, USNIC FOR WIGHTMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM MASS PREL MOPS PGOV BK SI
SUBJECT: BOSNIA DEMINING: PROSECUTOR REQUESTS QSI REPORT

REF: A. SARAJEVO 369


B. SARAJEVO 230

C. STATE 495

D. 3/22/07 MCCLOY-FLEMING EMAIL


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 6.


2. (SBU) Summary. After briefings from the Quality Solutions
International (QSI) team on their recent assessment of
demining operations in Bosnia, post believes the report
highlights the importance of changing our demining operating
procedures in Bosnia. In the wake of the assessment we met,
on April 10, with the prosecutor investigating allegations of
criminal wrongdoing surrounding USG-funded demining programs.
The prosecutor briefed us on the role of the State
Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) in the
investigation, and formally requested a copy of the QSI
report to assist his investigation. Post fully supports this
request. End summary.


3. (SBU) After briefings by the QSI team on its recent
assessment of demining operations in Bosnia, post believes
the report highlights the importance of changing current USG
demining operating procedures in Bosnia. Post fully supports
the QSI recommendation that both the Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mine Action Center (BHMAC) and the International Trust Fund
(ITF) be pushed to tighten oversight procedures to prevent
the accreditation of questionable organizations, and that
adequate follow-up surveys be completed. QSI plans a
follow-up assessment next year and post would welcome the
institution of continuing yearly inspections to provide
further integrity to the process.


4. (SBU) Although the QSI report on the capabilities of
demining organizations in Bosnia goes a long way in
establishing viable USG partners in this process, we are also
mindful that the assessment was limited in scope. The QSI
assessment sought to only make judgments on the capabilities
of demining organizations to complete contracted work. The
assessment team did not have the mandate or capacity to
investigate allegations of malfeasance that have been brought
to our attention. The state prosecutor's criminal
investigation remains key to this component of the process,
and we will continue to urge the authorities to undertake a
full, transparent and fair investigation to ensure the
integrity of the demining programs.


5. (SBU) On April 10, we met with Drew Engel, the new senior
prosecutor heading the investigation into alleged criminal
activity within humanitarian demining programs. Engel, an
American secondee working in the State Prosecutor's Office,
told us that the investigation is in its initial stages but
that he expected to see progress in the near term. Engel
presented us with a detailed work plan for SIPA's role in the
investigation, which entails verification of the competencies
of demining organizations, inspection of the BHMAC
accreditation process, forensic financial analysis of
demining organizations' tax files and bank transactions, and
verification of prior demining work. Per ref D we briefed
Engel on the general findings of the QSI survey. In support
of his investigation, Engel asked to review a copy of the QSI
assessment, and any subsequent results from USG audits or
investigations. Engel said the information in the QSI report
would provide substantial assistance to his investigation by
preventing the duplication of efforts at a Prosecutor's
office that is already strapped for resources.


6. (SBU) Action request: Post strongly supports Engel's
request and seeks Department approval to release the QSI
report in its entirety to the State Prosecutor. End action
request.



MCELHANEY