Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KINGSTON283
2008-04-03 20:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kingston
Cable title:
JAMAICA: ACTING NAS DIRECTOR CALLS ON CHIEF OF
how-toVZCZCXYZ0029 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHKG #0283 0942053 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 032053Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6153 INFO RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
UNCLAS KINGSTON 000283
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INL/LP (BOZZOLO) AND WHA/CAR (TILGHMAN)
JUSTICE FOR OPDAT (R LIPMAN)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: JM PREL SNAR
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: ACTING NAS DIRECTOR CALLS ON CHIEF OF
DEFENCE STAFF AND COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
REF: A. (A) KINGSTON 264
B. (B) KINGSTON 233 AND (C) KINGSTON 230
UNCLAS KINGSTON 000283
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INL/LP (BOZZOLO) AND WHA/CAR (TILGHMAN)
JUSTICE FOR OPDAT (R LIPMAN)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: JM PREL SNAR
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: ACTING NAS DIRECTOR CALLS ON CHIEF OF
DEFENCE STAFF AND COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
REF: A. (A) KINGSTON 264
B. (B) KINGSTON 233 AND (C) KINGSTON 230
1. (SBU) Summary: On April 2, Acting NAS Director (NASDIR)
called on Major General Stewart Saunders, Chief of Defence
Staff, and on Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, Commissioner of
Police, to review several outstanding issues. These included
the GOJ request for FY-10 assistance to counter a likely
increase in cocaine transshipments (ref A),disposition of
M-16s (ref (C) and the status of Embassy's request to
reprogram funds to meet Jamaica's national security
requirements (ref B). End Summary.
2. (SBU) Following the Ambassador's March 26 meeting with
Minister of National Security Derrick Smith, Gen. Saunders
provided a written request for equipment to the Jamaica
Defence Force (JDF) Task Force unit that works with the
Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) on significant
counter-narcotics operations. This assistance was requested
in an effort to be pro-active to the likelihood of increased
cocaine shipments through Jamaica. Total estimated cost of
the equipment is US $1,002,170. NASDIR confirmed on April 2
that Saunders understood that we are talking about FY-10
funds and that there was absolutely no certainty that these
extra funds would be approved. NASDIR also advised that NAS
is unable to procure firearms (which were included) and
advised that we had shared the list of equipment and firearms
with MLO.
3. (SBU) Discussion of the JDF's air assets followed. At
least one fixed wing aircraft is needed to track maritime and
air targets and to coordinate law enforcement action against
drug traffickers. Embassy would like to know if C26 aircraft
still exist as U.S. military excess property. Comment:
According to Lewin, the USG once offered Jamaica C26 aircraft
as excess property, but the then Chief of Staff turned down
the aircraft. RSS and Trinidad accepted the aircraft. Lewin
thought this was a mistake not to have taken the C26s. End
Comment.
4. (SBU) Marijuana eradication was examined. NASDIR reminded
Saunders that the role of the JDF in eradication (Operation
Buccaneer) was extremely important and expressed concern that
the JDF seemed to have been distracted from carrying out
these operations due to other crime-related priorities during
the past couple of months. NASDIR also asked Saunders to
think about using Bell 412's as transport helicopters for the
eradication teams, if NAS were able to pay for fuel.
Saunders said the 412's have multiple missions, indicating
they could not be tied up in Buccaneer. NASDIR suggested
that the JDF's smaller helicopters be used for those purposes
and/or that the 412's be deployed for emergencies only during
eradication operations.
5. (U) NASDIR asked Saunders if the JDF would use M16s
provided several years ago to the JCF through a Section 506
drawdown. It was explained that this is an older, longer and
heavier model than those currently being used by the JCF.
Saunders responded that the JDF would use the M16s, probably
for training. This was broached with Commissioner Lewin at a
subsequent meeting and he said that, if we provided him with
a letter authorizing the transfer, he would be pleased to
make the transfer. NAS will provide the letter.
6. (SBU) In the meeting with Commissioner Lewin, NASDIR
informed him that we were waiting for INL approval to
reprogram funds in order to do procurements for urgent
security assistance. We also discussed the status of the
Airport Interdiction Task Force building. NAS is repairing
the electrical system. The Commissioner was reminded that,
he will need to inform us about the type of software the GOJ
wishes to use to provide interconnectivity between the Task
Force and the National Intelligence Bureau.
7. (U) Finally, Adm. Lewin was informed that, under a
DOJ/OPDAT proposal, funding would be provided for him to
travel to Newark, NJ to meet with the Director of Police and
observe methods employed to reduce violent crime. He would
welcome the opportunity to go to Newark within the next two
months.
JOHNSON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR INL/LP (BOZZOLO) AND WHA/CAR (TILGHMAN)
JUSTICE FOR OPDAT (R LIPMAN)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: JM PREL SNAR
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: ACTING NAS DIRECTOR CALLS ON CHIEF OF
DEFENCE STAFF AND COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
REF: A. (A) KINGSTON 264
B. (B) KINGSTON 233 AND (C) KINGSTON 230
1. (SBU) Summary: On April 2, Acting NAS Director (NASDIR)
called on Major General Stewart Saunders, Chief of Defence
Staff, and on Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, Commissioner of
Police, to review several outstanding issues. These included
the GOJ request for FY-10 assistance to counter a likely
increase in cocaine transshipments (ref A),disposition of
M-16s (ref (C) and the status of Embassy's request to
reprogram funds to meet Jamaica's national security
requirements (ref B). End Summary.
2. (SBU) Following the Ambassador's March 26 meeting with
Minister of National Security Derrick Smith, Gen. Saunders
provided a written request for equipment to the Jamaica
Defence Force (JDF) Task Force unit that works with the
Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) on significant
counter-narcotics operations. This assistance was requested
in an effort to be pro-active to the likelihood of increased
cocaine shipments through Jamaica. Total estimated cost of
the equipment is US $1,002,170. NASDIR confirmed on April 2
that Saunders understood that we are talking about FY-10
funds and that there was absolutely no certainty that these
extra funds would be approved. NASDIR also advised that NAS
is unable to procure firearms (which were included) and
advised that we had shared the list of equipment and firearms
with MLO.
3. (SBU) Discussion of the JDF's air assets followed. At
least one fixed wing aircraft is needed to track maritime and
air targets and to coordinate law enforcement action against
drug traffickers. Embassy would like to know if C26 aircraft
still exist as U.S. military excess property. Comment:
According to Lewin, the USG once offered Jamaica C26 aircraft
as excess property, but the then Chief of Staff turned down
the aircraft. RSS and Trinidad accepted the aircraft. Lewin
thought this was a mistake not to have taken the C26s. End
Comment.
4. (SBU) Marijuana eradication was examined. NASDIR reminded
Saunders that the role of the JDF in eradication (Operation
Buccaneer) was extremely important and expressed concern that
the JDF seemed to have been distracted from carrying out
these operations due to other crime-related priorities during
the past couple of months. NASDIR also asked Saunders to
think about using Bell 412's as transport helicopters for the
eradication teams, if NAS were able to pay for fuel.
Saunders said the 412's have multiple missions, indicating
they could not be tied up in Buccaneer. NASDIR suggested
that the JDF's smaller helicopters be used for those purposes
and/or that the 412's be deployed for emergencies only during
eradication operations.
5. (U) NASDIR asked Saunders if the JDF would use M16s
provided several years ago to the JCF through a Section 506
drawdown. It was explained that this is an older, longer and
heavier model than those currently being used by the JCF.
Saunders responded that the JDF would use the M16s, probably
for training. This was broached with Commissioner Lewin at a
subsequent meeting and he said that, if we provided him with
a letter authorizing the transfer, he would be pleased to
make the transfer. NAS will provide the letter.
6. (SBU) In the meeting with Commissioner Lewin, NASDIR
informed him that we were waiting for INL approval to
reprogram funds in order to do procurements for urgent
security assistance. We also discussed the status of the
Airport Interdiction Task Force building. NAS is repairing
the electrical system. The Commissioner was reminded that,
he will need to inform us about the type of software the GOJ
wishes to use to provide interconnectivity between the Task
Force and the National Intelligence Bureau.
7. (U) Finally, Adm. Lewin was informed that, under a
DOJ/OPDAT proposal, funding would be provided for him to
travel to Newark, NJ to meet with the Director of Police and
observe methods employed to reduce violent crime. He would
welcome the opportunity to go to Newark within the next two
months.
JOHNSON