ANSWER TO NSDD-38 - REDUCTION IN DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

UNCLAS CURACAO 000014

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR, M/PRI; US SOUTHCOM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KSEP AMGT AODE ABLD ASEC NA NL
SUBJECT: ANSWER TO NSDD-38 - REDUCTION IN DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
STAFFING IN CURACAO, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES

REF: 07 STATE 003695, 03 CURACAO 000652, 02 STATE 142662

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED


1. Chief of Mission disapproves Ref. A proposal to abolish the
Defense Liaison Officer (DLO) position in Curacao. His decision
is based on three important reasons:

A) A previous COM identified several policy and administrative
factors justifying the approval of this DLO position as recently
as 2003 (Ref. B). This justification is even more valid today.
USG interest in Venezuelan activity in the region has grown,
USAF Forward Operating Location (FOL) counter-drug activity has
increased, and military ship visits are more frequent and
sensitive. Retention and filling of this position are
consistent with our Strategic Plan (MSP),and no other currently
assigned position could fill the gap. Retaining this position
also makes sense from a cost perspective. The ICASS assessment
for FY 08 has already been programmed, and the position is now
listed in the CSCS as "not co-located at post". (The position is
located at a Dutch military base at no cost to the DoD).
Therefore, no additional funding will be needed until FY 09,
which allows the DoD up to eight months to identify an officer
for assignment.

B) Mission questions whether Ref. A is a correct use of the
NSDD-38 process. As we understand it, that process is generally
used to determine whether the position is needed and justified,
an issue already decided in 2003. The question now simply is how
to fill that need, which is not an NSDD-38 determination. We do
not believe it would be reasonable to abolish a recently
justified NSDD-38 position now, and then have to attempt to
justify it again under similar circumstances once DoD is able to
fill it.

C) Finally, we strongly believe that limited, short-term TDY
visits will not/not provide the necessary support outlined in
Ref. B's original NSDD-38 approval.


2. We hope that the DoD will reconsider this request, and
proceed with the assignment process to place a DLO officer in
Curacao. Please direct any questions and/or comments to Don
Feeney, Management Officer, at IVG 301-985-9484, international
5999-461-3066, ext. 244, or e-mail at FeeneyD@state.gov.








DUNN