Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BEIRUT297
2008-02-26 16:45:00
SECRET
Embassy Beirut
Cable title:
LEBANON: REQUEST ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR NBPP
how-toVZCZCXRO7560 PP RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHLB #0297/01 0571645 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 261645Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1120 INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1999 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 2262 RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 000297
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/GAVITO/HARDING
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC PTER SY IS LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: REQUEST ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR NBPP
SECURE COMMUNICATIONS
Classified By: Charge Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 000297
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/GAVITO/HARDING
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC PTER SY IS LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: REQUEST ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR NBPP
SECURE COMMUNICATIONS
Classified By: Charge Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 8.
Summary
--------------
2. (C) On February 22, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF)
Signals Command requested additional funding (approximately
USD 120K) to augment the USG-donated secure communications
equipment for the German-led Northern Border Pilot Program
(NBPP). This additional request will provide key operational
items not included in the LAF's original 2007 request for
equipment. The head of the German Program Implementation
Unit has reiterated the need to have all equipment in place
by March 31. He stated that other donors cannot (or will
not) consider contributions to cover this expense unless the
USG states, in writing, that it cannot meet this request. He
and LAF representatives have asked for a formal USG response
to this request for additional funds by March 6, 2008. End
Summary.
Additional Equipment Needed
--------------
3. (C) Unfortunately, the 2007 LAF request for secure
communications equipment did not include several key items
needed for maximum operational effectiveness. The complete
list of requested equipment includes:
i. Power converters (12V to 24VDC) for installation in
GMC-Envoy and Nissan pick-up vehicles.
Quantity Required - 100
Approx. Price Per Unit - USD 1,000
Approx. Total Price - USD 100,000
Note: The LAF considers this item to be their highest
priority. End Note.
ii. Over-voltage coaxial surge arrestors for base stations
and retransmission stations
Quantity Required - 82
Approx. Price Per Unit - USD 120
Approx. Total Price - USD 9,840
Procurement - Can be found on the local market
iii. Tripods to install antennas for base stations and
retransmission stations
Quantity Required - 82
Approx. Price Per Unit - USD 35
Approx. Total Price - USD 2,870
Procurement - Can be found on the local market
iv. Additional batteries for handheld radios to prevent
communications gaps during battery recharging
Quantity Required - 100
Approx. Price Per Unit - USD 60
Approx. Total Price - USD 6,000
Procurement - Should come from radio supplier, Datron
4. (C) The approximate total cost for these items USD
118,710. Post has requested a total of USD 120,000 to help
offset shipping costs if the items are sent from the U.S.
Considering Funding Sources
--------------
5. (C) Post's ODC reps have stressed that it is difficult to
use Section 1206 funds to pay for this additional expense.
FY2007 funds have been closed and the total budget request
for Lebanon has not yet been approved for FY2008.
6. (C) Post understands that there may be some flexibility in
the INL funds currently being implemented in Lebanon.
However, INL funds are typically be used in conjunction with
the Internal Security Forces (ISF) and may not be given to
the LAF. The NBPP is, in fact, an inter-agency program which
includes both the ISF and LAF. However, all previous
communications equipment was given directly to the LAF
Signals Command, in accordance with DoD's Section 1206
funding protocols. Post would like to encourage the LAF
Signals Command to continue "ownership" of this program in
its entirety and would prefer funds which can be given
directly to the LAF.
BEIRUT 00000297 002 OF 002
7. (C) However, speed is also an important considerations for
post. The ideal funding solution would be one that allows
post to directly purchase locally available products for
immediate delivery to the LAF in order to meet the March 31
deadline.
Action Request
--------------
8. (C) Post asks for feedback on the availability of USG
funding to meet this request no later than March 5. Should
funding this request in a timely manner prove difficult, post
requests permission to convey this to the LAF and the German
Project Implementation Unit in writing.
SISON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/GAVITO/HARDING
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC PTER SY IS LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: REQUEST ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR NBPP
SECURE COMMUNICATIONS
Classified By: Charge Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 8.
Summary
--------------
2. (C) On February 22, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF)
Signals Command requested additional funding (approximately
USD 120K) to augment the USG-donated secure communications
equipment for the German-led Northern Border Pilot Program
(NBPP). This additional request will provide key operational
items not included in the LAF's original 2007 request for
equipment. The head of the German Program Implementation
Unit has reiterated the need to have all equipment in place
by March 31. He stated that other donors cannot (or will
not) consider contributions to cover this expense unless the
USG states, in writing, that it cannot meet this request. He
and LAF representatives have asked for a formal USG response
to this request for additional funds by March 6, 2008. End
Summary.
Additional Equipment Needed
--------------
3. (C) Unfortunately, the 2007 LAF request for secure
communications equipment did not include several key items
needed for maximum operational effectiveness. The complete
list of requested equipment includes:
i. Power converters (12V to 24VDC) for installation in
GMC-Envoy and Nissan pick-up vehicles.
Quantity Required - 100
Approx. Price Per Unit - USD 1,000
Approx. Total Price - USD 100,000
Note: The LAF considers this item to be their highest
priority. End Note.
ii. Over-voltage coaxial surge arrestors for base stations
and retransmission stations
Quantity Required - 82
Approx. Price Per Unit - USD 120
Approx. Total Price - USD 9,840
Procurement - Can be found on the local market
iii. Tripods to install antennas for base stations and
retransmission stations
Quantity Required - 82
Approx. Price Per Unit - USD 35
Approx. Total Price - USD 2,870
Procurement - Can be found on the local market
iv. Additional batteries for handheld radios to prevent
communications gaps during battery recharging
Quantity Required - 100
Approx. Price Per Unit - USD 60
Approx. Total Price - USD 6,000
Procurement - Should come from radio supplier, Datron
4. (C) The approximate total cost for these items USD
118,710. Post has requested a total of USD 120,000 to help
offset shipping costs if the items are sent from the U.S.
Considering Funding Sources
--------------
5. (C) Post's ODC reps have stressed that it is difficult to
use Section 1206 funds to pay for this additional expense.
FY2007 funds have been closed and the total budget request
for Lebanon has not yet been approved for FY2008.
6. (C) Post understands that there may be some flexibility in
the INL funds currently being implemented in Lebanon.
However, INL funds are typically be used in conjunction with
the Internal Security Forces (ISF) and may not be given to
the LAF. The NBPP is, in fact, an inter-agency program which
includes both the ISF and LAF. However, all previous
communications equipment was given directly to the LAF
Signals Command, in accordance with DoD's Section 1206
funding protocols. Post would like to encourage the LAF
Signals Command to continue "ownership" of this program in
its entirety and would prefer funds which can be given
directly to the LAF.
BEIRUT 00000297 002 OF 002
7. (C) However, speed is also an important considerations for
post. The ideal funding solution would be one that allows
post to directly purchase locally available products for
immediate delivery to the LAF in order to meet the March 31
deadline.
Action Request
--------------
8. (C) Post asks for feedback on the availability of USG
funding to meet this request no later than March 5. Should
funding this request in a timely manner prove difficult, post
requests permission to convey this to the LAF and the German
Project Implementation Unit in writing.
SISON