SIU OFFICERS DOUBT FUTURE MVD SUPPORT FOR UNIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000807 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN AND INL/AAE DUSHANBE ALSO FOR DEA E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2017 TAGS: PGOV SNAR UZ SUBJECT: SIU OFFICERS DOUBT FUTURE MVD SUPPORT FOR UNIT Classified By: Amb. Jon R. Purnell for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) The Sensitive Investigative Unit (SIU),a specialized counternarcotics unit within the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD),has received no new operational funding, according to an SIU member. The unit was established in 2003 as a cooperative effort between the MVD and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). In addition to purchasing vehicles, computers, and other equipment, DEA fully funded the unit's operational expenses and provided SIU members with premium pay above and beyond their normal salaries. All USG support for the unit ceased on January 1 as the result of the Government of Uzbekistan's refusal to issue visas to incoming DEA personnel needed to support the program. DEA subsequently suspended its office in Tashkent. MVD officials earlier told DEA that they intended to support the unit using funds from the Ministry's budget. ¶2. (C) The SIU member told Pol Assistant that the MVD has provided the unit with no additional funds since January 1. He said that officers have been using personal funds to purchase gas for their official vehicles and pay other operational expenses. Many of the SIU members, who make on average $150-$200 a month, have started to look for better paying jobs elsewhere, and at least one has already left the unit for a job outside of government. The unit has also been relocated from its USG-renovated quarters because MVD can no longer pay the rent. The SIU continues to operate, he said, and has made five narcotics seizures since January. However, the lack of funding has caused many SIU officers to doubt future MVD support for the unit. ¶3. (C) Comment: We agree with the SIU officer that future support for the SIU from the Ministry of Internal Affairs is doubtful. MVD was happy to keep the unit in existence as long as DEA was footing the entire bill, but we doubt that it will be able or willing to come up with the money to keep the SIU alive from its own budget. The SIU's demise would be unfortunate, given that in past years it has accounted for almost 50 percent of all the narcotics seized by Uzbek law enforcement agencies, although is has not yet seriously pursued alleged high profile traffickers.. Public statements about the importance of counternarcotics aside, this is yet another example of where the Government of Uzbekistan's true priorities lie. PURNELL