TANZANIA: MINI-DUBLIN GROUP DISCUSSES CURRENT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DAR ES SALAAM 000484 SIPDIS AF/E FOR JLIDDLE, AF/RSA FOR LMAZEL ALSO FOR INL UN MISSION FOR UNODC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCRM PGOV PREL SNAR TZ SUBJECT: TANZANIA: MINI-DUBLIN GROUP DISCUSSES CURRENT STATE AND FUTURE STRATEGIES TO COMBAT NARCOTICS SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (U) The Assistant Regional Security Officer (ARSO) attended the "Mini-Dublin Group," an informal gathering of like-minded countries initiated by the President of Ireland focused on counter narcotics issues. Embassy representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Germany, Finland, the United States as well as from the World Health Organization and Tanzanian National Drug Control Commission met June 5 to discuss the drug trafficking situation in Tanzania. During the meeting, participants explored and agreed on priority areas for external assistance in the counter narcotics field (see Para 10). In Tanzania, the Mini-Dublin Group meets on the average every six to eight months. End summary. ¶2. (U) The attendees discussed that Tanzania is on major drug trafficking routes. Tanzania's porous borders, long coast line and international air links make it an attractive transit point for drug traffickers. Traffickers use varied and sometimes unique methods of concealment, including corpses, grain containers, and human "mules" for the movement of drugs. In 2006, a total of 4.1 kg of cocaine was seized by government authorities in Tanzania. From July 2007 until June 2008 the amount of total seized narcotics ballooned to 78 kg. ¶3. (U) Domestically, heroin and cocaine are commonly found in Tanzania's urban areas. Rural areas of Tanzania are known for illegally growing and exporting cannabis and khat to neighboring countries. The capability to transport narcotics into other countries is facilitated by weak border infrastructure and enforcement procedures. Also, the impact of widespread cultivation of cannabis and khat has had a secondary environmental impact of contributing to widespread deforestation. ¶4. (U) The profile of the average Tanzanian drug user is between the ages of 18 to 30 who has at least a secondary education and is likely to be HIV positive. Based on anecdotal evidence and small studies, HIV positive prevalence among drug users is generally higher, and in some cases significantly higher, than in the general population. The HIV infection rate has shown an upward trend among drug abusers since 2004; very few HIV positive drug users seek treatment. This could be due both to the stigma attached to drug use and to the lack of specialized treatment available for drug addicts. Tanzania's National Drug Control Commission -------------- ¶5. (U) The Government of Tanzania (GOT) is taking measures to counteract the importation and transportation of illegal drugs across its borders and into the interior. In recent years, the GOT established a counter narcotics task force which includes representatives from the police, the National Drug Control Commission (DCC),immigration and customs officers, the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB),the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA),and the intelligence service. The DCC is also working to develop contacts with its partner organizations elsewhere in East Africa, most notably in Kenya. Regional cooperation will become increasingly important as the planned free movement of people is introduced among member states of the East African Community (EAC). ¶6. (U) Tanzania has also taken steps to eradicate cannabis crops through destruction and crop substitution. In the northern Mara region, close to the Kenyan border, cannabis crops are widely being replaced by artemisia which is used in the production of anti-malaria drugs. The Government of Tanzania is working to replicate this approach elsewhere in other regions of the country. ¶7. (U) Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete has spoken out strongly against drug trafficking; however, the Drug Control Commission (DCC) continues to be hampered by the lack of adequate financial resources. For example, in 2005 the DCC requested a USD 5 million budget and was allocated only USD 1 million. Although constrained by a lack of funding, the DCC has effectively used public education as a way to fight drugs. The Commission is also working with the Cabinet and the Parliament to draft and enact new, stricter counter narcotics legislation. ¶8. (U) No foreign donors have major counter narcotics DAR ES SAL 00000484 002 OF 002 programs in Tanzania. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has invited Tanzanian practitioners (customs, immigration officials, police officers, doctors and nurses, etc.) to participate in courses and seminars, but these invitations are sporadic and not strategically focused. Donor country assistance -------------- ¶9. (U) In 2007-08, three donor countries provided minor assistance in the area of narcotics training. These are: -- Canada Canada supports a project organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Global Program against Money Laundering/Anti-Money Laundering Unit (GPML/AMLU). This program reinforces capacity at both regional and national levels of Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. In Tanzania, the 17-month project focuses mainly on capacity building to conduct international criminal investigations as well as to improve international cooperation on economic and financial crimes cases for law enforcement agencies. -- United Kingdom The UK supported a one-week training course conducted by British customs officers focusing on drug-related law enforcement, particularly the profiling of airline passengers. The course participants came from the DCC, police, customs and other law enforcement agencies. -- Sweden Sweden supports a Swedish NGO (IOGT/NTO) that works in Tanzania in capacity building and advocacy work related to alcohol and drugs, through a regional East African office. Priority areas -------------- ¶10. (U) The Mini-Dublin Group agreed at the June 5 meeting that priority areas for external assistance in the counter narcotics field include: a. Specialized care and treatment for drug addicts. b. Further training of law enforcement officers. c. Research into the geographic and numerical extent of the drug problem in Tanzania. d. Specific research into the relationship between drug use and the prevalence of HIV. e. Provision for acquiring specialized scientific equipment. f. Immediate implementation strong anti-drugs legislation to include strong sentences for drug traffickers. ¶11. (U) The Mini-Dublin Group recommended that foreign donors involved in health, education, social welfare, agriculture, law enforcement, anti-corruption work, the judiciary and climate change sectors consider adding narcotics-related work to their portfolios. Donors should also encourage the establishment of formal regional cooperation among the counter narcotics organizations of East Africa. ANDRE