NEPAL: END USE MONITORING REPORT FOR CY2007

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000148 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR INL/RM/MS AND SCA/INS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR AFIN NP SUBJECT: NEPAL: END USE MONITORING REPORT FOR CY2007 REF: A. STATE 166080 ¶B. 07 KATHMANDU 808 ¶1. Procedures Post inquired about the status of equipment INL-funded programs have provided to Nepal's law enforcement agencies in the past five years (since 2002). Emboffs visited Nepal Police headquarters, the Central Police Laboratory at the police academy, and the headquarters of the Nepal Drug Control and Law Enforcement Unit (NDCLEU). Emboff contacted a Supreme Court representative but did not visit the district courts. ¶2. Status A) Computer equipment: The NDCLEU no longer uses any of the computer equipment it received in 2002 to use for a trafficking database. The laptop computer has had hard drive failure. The desktop computer and scanner each has unspecified damage. The screen display on the digital camera does not function. Post has been unable to verify the status of 65 Dell computer monitors, 61 Dell central processing units, and 20 Dell printers presented to the Supreme Court for distribution to 15 district courts in 2005 (as part of 2004 program). Post will provide an update when the information becomes available. As reported in the 2006 End Use Monitoring report (Ref B),the courts have been unable to use the 65 uninterrupted-power-supply units because they are configured for the wrong current. B) No communications equipment has been allocated to Nepal during the reporting period. C) Vehicles: No vehicles have been allocated to Nepal during the reporting period. However, the NDCLEU still uses Yamaha motorcycles given to the NDCLEU in 1996, despite their age and need for frequent repairs. Neither of the two motor scooters given to the NDCLEU in 1996 are still operational because of engine failure. The Nepal Police Women's Cell -- a unit to combat crimes against women and children -- continues to operate eight motorcycles distributed to women's centers in 1999. However, these motorcycles require constant repair, and the Women's Cell has insufficient funds for required maintenance. D) No vessels have been allocated to Nepal, a land-locked country with few navigable waterways. E) No aircraft has been allocated to Nepal during the reporting period. F) No canine program assistance has been allocated to Nepal during the reporting period. G) Laboratory equipment: INL last funded laboratory equipment for narcotics law enforcement in 1997. The equipment for the mini-forensic lab at the Central Police Laboratory is no longer functional. H) INL has not funded construction projects in Nepal during the reporting period. I) INL has not provided defense articles to Nepal's law enforcement agencies during the reporting period. J) INL has not given uniforms or field gear to Nepal's law enforcement agencies during the reporting period. K) Miscellaneous equipment: Seven of the 20 bicycles given to the NDCLEU in 1996 are still in use in branch offices. The other 13 are damaged beyond repair. All five cameras given to the NDCLEU in 1996 reportedly are still in use. ¶3. Problems Nepal is not a regular recipient of INL-funded programs, and KATHMANDU 00000148 002 OF 002 much of the equipment such programs have provided in the past decade -- particularly computer equipment -- has exceeded its useful lifespan. Additionally, the law enforcement agencies lack the tools to maintain or repair specialized machinery, further limiting the length of time these items could be used. ¶4. Impact Police officials were more than eager to provide an update on equipment beyond post's monitoring scope to show their appreciation for U.S. assistance. Support provided in previous years provided to the NDCLEU and the Women's Cell of the Nepal Police increased the mobility and investigative capabilities of the units. Laboratory equipment enabled the police to analyze drug samples within days, results of which the courts recognized as expert testimony. Post has included information where available on program years prior to 2002. ¶5. Program changes Future INL-funded programs would have a high impact on the capability of Nepal to counter narcotics and trafficking in persons. The use of obsolete or damaged equipment hampers the ability of officials to obtain accurate lab results, maintain electronic files, and connect to international law enforcement networks. BERRY