ACTION REQUEST: APPROVAL OF WITNESS PROTECTION

UNCLAS WARSAW 000519 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE PLEASE PASS TO INL/AAE TINA YOUNG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AFIN ABUD PL SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: APPROVAL OF WITNESS PROTECTION PROJECT UNDER THE 2002 LOA-PROJECT 3 ¶1. This is an action request for INL/AE. Please see para 3-5. -------------- Background -------------- ¶2. In November 2002, the U.S. signed a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the GOP on "Financing the Activities Aimed at Preventing and Combating Crime in Poland." There were five projects outlined pursuant to this agreement to support these efforts. All projects, with the exception of Project 3 have been successfully completed. Project 3 aims to improve Courtroom Security and Witness Protection through training and procuring equipment and systems. According to the LOA, a total of $122, 658 was allocated for Project 3. Out of this amount $26,658 has already been spent for training, and $96,000 has not yet been allocated. Post would like to proceed with Project 3, and in paragraphs 3-5 has outlined a proposal for completing the project. -------------- Proposal for LOA - Project 3 -------------- ¶3. The equipment requested below is for the police unit responsible for the transportation of witnesses and for witness protection, including court room security. The unit composed of approximately 40 people, transports witnesses to and from court, but also protects them 24/7 if required due to the seriousness of their testimony. Legatt and PolOff have met with the team to discuss their needs, and strongly support their updated proposal for Project 3. Poland already has metal detectors outside most of their courts (this was the equipment initially listed in the LOA),however they do not have nor will they be able to obtain the equipment proposed below. Post has discussed these details via email with INL and thanks them in advance for their assistance. ¶4. Following is the proposed equipment, including the units requested, cost and the manufacturer or distributor of the equipment. Light bulletproof vest (camouflage) class III w/2 ballistic panels (front & back) class IV Pieces requested: 12 Cost per unit: 7,300.00 PLN ($ 3,230) Total cost: 12 pieces: 7,300.00 x 12 pieces = 86,400.00 PLN ($38,760) Manufacturer: Rabintex or First Choice Armor Ballistic protection in a suitcase Pieces requested: 4 Cost per piece: 5,000.00 PLN ($ 2,212) Total cost: 4 pieces x 5,000.00 PLN = 20.000 PLN ($8,849) Manufacturer: RABINTEX or FIRST CHOISE ARMOR Thermo Vision Flash Sight Pieces requested: 1 Cost per piece: 40,000 PLN ($17,700) Manufacturer: U.S. company 3 generation night vision camera Pieces requested: 2 Cost per piece: 18,000.00 PLN ($ 7,965) Total cost: 2 x 18,000.00 PLN =36,000 PLN ($15,930) Distributor: DELTA OPTICAL Warszawa ul. Sienna 39; Laser Range Finder Binoculars, e.g. 7x40 Pieces requested: 2 Cost per unit: 3,000 PLN ($ 1,328) Total cost: 2 units x 3,000.00 PLN = 6,000.00 PLN ($ 2,655) Distributor: DELTA OPTICAL Warszawa ul. Sienna 39. ¶5. Post requests INL approval for the proposal outlined in para 3 and 4. Please advise on how we should proceed. If post should procure the requested equipment, please obligate the funds to post. ASHE