UKRAINE: RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

UNCLAS STATE 149870 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR POL MARK WOOD AND LES MIKE SCANLAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCRM PGOV PHUM SNAR UP SUBJECT: UKRAINE: RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING REF: KYIV 2589 ¶1. Following an Embassy review which identified no derogatory information, the Department reviewed its files and identified no derogatory information on the following personnel of the Security Service of Ukraine who will participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Regional Drug Unit Commanders Course (DUCC) at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Budapest, Hungary from November 12 to 16, 2007. This vetting is pursuant to the Leahy Act. ¶2. The proposed candidates are: Name: Valeriy SCHERBYNA Position: Head of Counternarcotic Directorate, Main Department for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime, Security Service of Ukraine DOB: December 4, 1959 POB: Ukraine Name: Oleksandr RAFALIUK Position: Deputy Chief of Counternarcotic Directorate, Main Department for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime, Security Service of Ukraine DOB: March 28, 1972 POB: Ukraine ¶3. Post is therefore authorized to provide the following statement: "Embassy verifies that as of October 24, 2007, the Department of State possesses no credible information of gross violations of human rights by the individuals listed above." This cable completes the joint human rights vetting approval process for the personnel of the Security Service of Ukraine who will participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Regional Drug Unit Commanders Course (DUCC) at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Budapest, Hungary from November 12 to 16, 2007. Note that if at any time Embassy becomes aware of any information regarding incidents which could be deemed to be credible information of a gross violation of human rights by any unit involved in USG-funded training, Embassy should so inform the Department. RICE