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