SECOND TRANCHE OF FAST TRACK COUNTRIES FOR LEAHY

UNCLAS STATE 026036 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KCRM PINR PREL SNAR MASS ASEC SUBJECT: SECOND TRANCHE OF FAST TRACK COUNTRIES FOR LEAHY VETTING REF: (A)07 STATE 169827, (B)05 STATE 160328, (C)05 STATE 225765, (D)05 STATE 131486, (E)03 STATE 034981 ¶1. This cable announces the second tranche of countries for fast track treatment for Leahy vetting. Fast track treatment for selected countries with good human rights records was established in 2007 (reftel A) to alleviate workload and time required. Fast track policy is applicable to both Department of Defense and Department of State vetting. ¶2. A Department Panel, chaired by DRL, and consisting of representatives from L, PM, INR, INL and each regional bureau will meet at least annually to approve countries for fast track Leahy vetting. Consensus is required for approval. Countries approved for Fast Track Leahy vetting status must have a favorable human rights record and no serious systemic problems in the country's security forces, including problems with impunity. Countries must also have a human rights history such that it is not likely there are gross violators of human rights in the country's security forces. The Department's "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices" will be the primary document for consideration of "Fast Track" status. The Leahy Working Group panel that determines fast track status may also consider past Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, other sources, as well as other factors in determining whether fast track vetting is appropriate for the security forces of a country. Given that Fast Track is a new procedure, Department is still considering other countries for participation; nominations for AF are anticipated in the near future. ¶3. In countries approved for Fast Track vetting, assistance candidates subject to the Leahy amendment will only be vetted at post. There will no longer be a requirement to do additional vetting at the Department for countries selected for Fast track. Any country approved for Fast Track must be affirmatively re-approved every year. If there is a coup or other military intervention in a Fast Track country, the Leahy Working Group must review the country's Fast Track Status within 30 days. ¶4. The second tranche of countries selected for Fast Track are as follows: -EUR: Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, United Kingdom -WHA: Canada ¶5. All other aspects of Leahy vetting will continue, to include local vetting by post and vetting by the Department for those countries not included under fast track (reftel A). ¶6. The POC for Leahy vetting policy and procedure is Winston Mann (202) 647-2292. Minimized considered. RICE