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