THE WAY FORWARD FOR THE ASHGABAT SURVEILLANCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 038178

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/31/2018
TAGS: ASEC AMGT ABUD AFIN
SUBJECT: THE WAY FORWARD FOR THE ASHGABAT SURVEILLANCE
DETECTION PROGRAM

REF: A. ASHGABAT 379

B. SURVEILLANCE DETECTION MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS
FIELD GUIDE V2.0

Classified By: Derived From: 2008 Ashgabat 00035 dated 1/8/2008


1. (U) This is an action request, see paragraph 5.


2. (C) DS appreciates the thorough status report and
excellent summary of activity included in Ref A that outlines
Post's efforts to obtain permission from the Government of
Turkmenistan (GOT) to resume surveillance detection (SD)
operations. Despite exhaustive efforts that included
numerous meetings between officials of the U.S. Government
and representatives of the GOT, that occurred over the last
twelve months, the host government does not appear inclined
to permit the resumption of SD operations.


3. (U) Ref B, Section 2.2 stipulates that SD teams may only
operate with the knowledge and consent of the host
government. Without permission from the GOT, Post cannot
employ an SD team. It appears highly unlikely that the GOT
will change its position and permit Post to conduct SD
operations. DS has determined that continued funding for the
existing SD team in Turkmenistan is no longer practical,
given the current host government's position


4. (C) A review of the SD program in Ashgabat reflects the
following staffing pattern:

1 SD Coordinator
1 SD Data Analyst
2 SD Shift Leaders
10 SD Specialists

Based on the information contained in paragraph 3, DS will
support continued funding only for the SD Coordinator
position. The SD Coordinator will also be responsible for
entering suspicious incidents into the Security Incident
Management and Analysis System (SIMAS).


5. (C) RSO should request Post's Human Resources Officer to
develop local compensation plan guidance to support a
Reduction In Force (RIF) of locally employed SD staff that
includes considerations for severance issues caused by the
RIF and/or non-renewal of personal service agreements.
DS/IP/OPO/FPD will request that DS/EX/CFO reduce future 9912
funding to the level necessary to support only the SD
Coordinator position. Post must provide a detailed plan for
the drawdown, to include severance costs (if any),by May 31,
2008 via SEPTEL.


6. (U) DS reminds Post that SD programs are most effective
when all personnel at Post understand the importance of
individual and collective contributions, are engaged in
active awareness, and there is focused and timely all-source
reporting, analysis, interdiction and feedback. In the
absence of a normal SD team, the SD Coordinator will be
responsible for a program that provides post-specific SD
awareness training to all mission personnel and solicits
their active participation in recognition and reporting of
suspicious incidents.


7. (U) The point of contact for this matter is Surveillance
Detection Team Leader Stephan LeRoy, DS/IP/OPO/FPD, (571)
345-2435 or Program Officer Jerry Neal, DS/IP/OPO/FPD, (571)
345-2414.
RICE