BOGOTA FY 2009 SEC 1206 PROJECT PROPOSALS

UNCLAS BOGOTA 004398 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MASS PTER PGOV PREL MARR CO SUBJECT: BOGOTA FY 2009 SEC 1206 PROJECT PROPOSALS ¶1. (SBU) The Charge confirms Post's review and concurrence with the following five project proposals for Section 1206 funding in FY ¶2009. Listed in priority order, all will strengthen Colombia's capacity to conduct counter-terrorism operations against the three Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations and other illegal armed groups in Colombia. - SUPPORT TO THE COLOMBIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE'S SECURITY STRATEGY CAMPAIGN PLAN (GOVERNANCE) (USD 2 million) The main objective of the Colombian Ministry of Defense's (MOD) Security Strategy Campaign Plan is to permanently recover and control critical zones with strategic, symbolic, and economic importance to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The near-term Colombian MOD priority is to establish a robust military presence, intended to increase the pressure on the FARC in these areas. This initiative will: (1) ensure that the civilian and military component of the MOD Security Strategy Campaign Plan has sufficient resources to keep pace with the expansion of the militarily-secured areas and increase citizen confidence in the government; (2) fund immediate infrastructure reconstruction and development projects - especially schools, health clinics and other social services -- that will have a POSITIVE physical, social and psychological impact on Colombian citizens in recently-secured areas; and (3) prevent recruitment of youth into illegal-armed groups as a key part of permanently consolidating the area of operation. - STAR SAFIRE III THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA (USD 7.28 million) The Star SAFIRE III thermal imaging camera offers a multi-mission solution for land and air applications, and can be used in applications as diverse as land force protection, shipboard open-ocean and littoral patrol, and long-range airborne reconnaissance. The system will provide real time intelligence and identify terrorists' guerrilla camps, drug labs, and prisoner camps. It will be used against the FARC, ELN, and other illegal armed groups. - FORWARD AREA REFUELING EQUIPMENT (USD 7.28 million) The Forward Area Refueling Equipment (FARE) is designed for refueling helicopters in forward operating locations. It is lightweight and can be flown to the refueling point by helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft. The Colombian Air Force (COLAF) conducts extensive counter-terrorist air support, reconnaissance and other helicopter-based operations, typically in remote areas with limited forward sustainability to include refueling. This system would allow COLAF helicopters to loiter in sustained operations and conduct counter-terrorist missions in remote combat areas. - CESSNA GRAND CARAVAN WITH LYCA CAMERA AND RADAR (USD 5 million) The Caravan ISR platform and associated Lyca camera and RADAR system is able to map and identify structures hidden beneath the jungle canopy. These include guerrilla camps holding kidnap victims, among them Colombian politicians, military officers, and private citizens. - FOUR RIGID HULL INFLATABLE BOATS (USD 1.141 million) These four rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) will enable Colombian Naval (COLNAV) and Coast Guard Special Forces to gather intelligence, interdict terrorist supply shipments, and detect coastal staging areas. U.S. forces may work with COLNAV Special Forces and stage in international waters, but require a Colombian small boat compatible with U.S. ships to conduct these operations. These RHIBs will greatly increase the detection levels and interdiction of terrorist materials and shipment staging points, thus inflicting a severe blow to terrorist organizations in Colombia. NICHOLS