Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08DHAKA375
2008-03-25 09:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dhaka
how-toVZCZCXRO3596 RR RUEHCI DE RUEHKA #0375 0850947 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 250947Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6525 INFO RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 2112 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0580 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 9618 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 8386 RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 1232
UNCLAS DHAKA 000375
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEW DELHI FOR DEA
DEPT FOR INL/RM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR AFIN BG
SUBJECT: 2007 END USE MONITORING REPORT
REF: 07 STATE 163708
UNCLAS DHAKA 000375
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEW DELHI FOR DEA
DEPT FOR INL/RM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR AFIN BG
SUBJECT: 2007 END USE MONITORING REPORT
REF: 07 STATE 163708
1. (U) Per reftel, Poloff visited the Department of Narcotics
Control (DNC) laboratory in Dhaka on March 23 to verify the use of
INL-funded equipment.
2. (U) The USG has contributed several pieces of equipment to the
DNC lab. In 2000, INL provided an analytical balance, a top-loading
balance and a polarizing microscope. In 2005, INL provided two
high-powered microscopes.
3. (U) Poloff viewed the analytical balance and the top-loading
balance from 2000 and one of the high-powered microscopes from 2005.
The top-loading balance and the high-powered microscope were in use
and working properly, although the balance appeared to have rust on
its surface. The analytical balance was broken and the laboratory
staff said they had no idea what was wrong or how to fix it. One
high-powered microscope is in storage because there are not enough
lab technicians to make use of it.
4. (U) The DNC lab is understaffed and under-funded. In 2003, it had
16 employees who tested about 4,000 samples; last year it had only
nine employees who tested nearly 20,000 samples, primarily testing
suspected heroin, cannabis, alcohol and amphetamines. Staff said the
lab's annual budget for equipment was only about 10,000 taka (nearly
USD150). They asked for training on lab equipment upkeep and for a
dehumidifier, a dust cleaner and an air-conditioner.
5. (U) Comment: USG efforts to support the lab are not enough to
ensure efficient operation without increased GOB support.
Encouraging the DNC to increase staffing would allow the lab to
utilize the equipment it already has more effectively and would help
ensure further investments would not be for naught.
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEW DELHI FOR DEA
DEPT FOR INL/RM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR AFIN BG
SUBJECT: 2007 END USE MONITORING REPORT
REF: 07 STATE 163708
1. (U) Per reftel, Poloff visited the Department of Narcotics
Control (DNC) laboratory in Dhaka on March 23 to verify the use of
INL-funded equipment.
2. (U) The USG has contributed several pieces of equipment to the
DNC lab. In 2000, INL provided an analytical balance, a top-loading
balance and a polarizing microscope. In 2005, INL provided two
high-powered microscopes.
3. (U) Poloff viewed the analytical balance and the top-loading
balance from 2000 and one of the high-powered microscopes from 2005.
The top-loading balance and the high-powered microscope were in use
and working properly, although the balance appeared to have rust on
its surface. The analytical balance was broken and the laboratory
staff said they had no idea what was wrong or how to fix it. One
high-powered microscope is in storage because there are not enough
lab technicians to make use of it.
4. (U) The DNC lab is understaffed and under-funded. In 2003, it had
16 employees who tested about 4,000 samples; last year it had only
nine employees who tested nearly 20,000 samples, primarily testing
suspected heroin, cannabis, alcohol and amphetamines. Staff said the
lab's annual budget for equipment was only about 10,000 taka (nearly
USD150). They asked for training on lab equipment upkeep and for a
dehumidifier, a dust cleaner and an air-conditioner.
5. (U) Comment: USG efforts to support the lab are not enough to
ensure efficient operation without increased GOB support.
Encouraging the DNC to increase staffing would allow the lab to
utilize the equipment it already has more effectively and would help
ensure further investments would not be for naught.