Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08YEREVAN313
2008-04-10 12:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:  

SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES REPORT-ODC ARMENIA-MARCH 2008

Tags:  MCAP KCFE XG AM 
pdf how-to read a cable
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ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 101257Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY YEREVAN
TO RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ5-E//
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4-ID//
INFO RHMFIUU/DISAM WRIGHT PATTERSON AFB OH//
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//USDP:DSCA-ERASA-ER//
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7378
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//USDATL/IC//
RUEADWD/HQDA WASHDC//SAAL-NA//
RHMFIUU/CDRUSASAC FT BELVOIR VA//
RUEAHQA/OSAF WASHDC//IA/IARE//
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J5//
RUEAUSA/CNGB WASHDC//NGB-IA//
RUEADWD/DA WASHINGTON DC//SAAL-NI//
UNCLAS YEREVAN 000313 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SECSTATE FOR PM AND ISP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MCAP KCFE XG AM
SUBJECT: SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES REPORT-ODC ARMENIA-MARCH 2008

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000313

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SECSTATE FOR PM AND ISP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MCAP KCFE XG AM
SUBJECT: SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES REPORT-ODC ARMENIA-MARCH 2008


1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) training
begins; FY09 SA Planning Coordination meeting conducted by ODC;
SASWG conducted by EUCOM in Ramstein.


2. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS


A. On 24 Mar 08, ten Kansas National Guard instructors and two
representatives from EUCOM's Humanitarian Mine Action program began
sustainment training with personnel from the Armenian Humanitarian
Demining Center (AHDC). Training will continue until 8 Apr 08.
Funding for the Guardsmen and for some of the equipment purchased to
support the training event in Armenia was provided by EUCOM's HMA
program. This HMA training follows and supports the FMF delivery of
new mine detection sets and protective equipment that was provided
to the AHDC in Jan 08. The AHDC, which is a military facility whose
personnel are operationally controlled during OIF deployments by the
Armenian Peacekeeping Brigade, primarily provides demining personnel
for humanitarian demining missions in Armenia. Training of the unit
supports NATO IPAP goal 2.3.2: Establish a Peacekeeping Brigade.


B. ODC Armenia conducted its Security Assistance Planning
Conference from 31 Mar - 1 Apr 08. This conference, which is run by
the ODC, but attended by representatives from OSD-ISP, ECJ5-BE,
ECJ4-ID, SAF-IA, DSCA, USASAC, USAFE, KSNG, and CCMR finalizes the
specific assistance and events that will be conducted in FY09 and
which are funded by the US security assistance program in Armenia.
Additionally all SA programs, to include FMF, IMET, JCTP, SPP, CTFP,
HMA, etc, had their current FY08 status and activities reviewed and
adjusted, if need be, to reflect funding fluctuations.


C. The U.S. European Command conducted the Strategy for Active
Security Working Group (SASWG) conference 10-14 Mar 08 in Ramstein,
Germany. At the conference the concepts for the Armenian Country
Campaign Plan were finalized and presented to the EUCOM components
and supporting agencies. The identified goals and tasks were further
incorporated into the Armenia Country Campaign Plan during the
ODC's Security Assistance Planning conference held two weeks later
on 31 Mar- 2 Apr 08.


D. STATUS OF FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING (FMF):


1. On 29 Mar 08, the ODC received a large shipment of military
equipment associated with the FMF cases AM-B-BAA and AM-B-BAA A1.

This equipment for the 1st and 2nd Peacekeeping Battalions largely
consisted of chemical protection equipment, field cots, battalion
staff planning equipment, boots and helmets. Two follow-on shipments
are expected to arrive in early Apr 08 and will complete equipment
deliveries for the 1st PK Bn and initiate equipment deliveries for
the 2nd PK Bn. The FMF deliveries support IPAP Goal 2.3.2; Establish
a Peacekeeping Brigade.


2. Including the FY08 FMF allocation of approximately $3.0M to be
provided in the coming months, the total FMF funds remaining after
obligations are only $1.5M. In meetings with OSD, DSCA and EUCOM, a
plan was developed to expend the remaining FY08 FMF on a Harris
Radio Maintenance facility, EDA trucks for the PK forces, and
additional training for personnel from the Armenian Humanitarian
Demining Center. Assuming the current political situation in Armenia
does not further deteriorate, LORs for these acquisitions can be
expected in the coming weeks.


E. Joint Contact Team Program (JCTP). No JCTP events were
scheduled or conducted during the month of March.


F. State Partnership Program (SPP). One SPP event, "Nursing
TCT," was postponed due to the local riots and violence that
occurred on 1 Mar 08 in Yerevan. The event was rescheduled for Jul
08 and will familiarize the Armenian Medical Department and EMEDS
personnel with the duties, responsibilities, and education of
various US Army nursing positions.


G. Defense Institution Building (DIB). The Strategic Defense
Review (SDR) workshop to assist the ARM MOD with developing its SDR
Team was postponed from 3-7 Mar, until Jul 08 due to the local riots
and violence that occurred on 1 Mar 08 in Yerevan. All other SDR
related events tied to this initial SDR event will be rescheduled in
relation to this initial SDR event.


H. Humanitarian Assistance (HA).

1. The project initiation meeting for the HA water project was
conducted on 2 April by a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (CoE)
representative from Tbilisi, and the CARD office in Yerevan. The CoE
will oversee the project through its completion. The stand-alone HA
event will reconstruct existing water wells in three rural villages
in Armenia where the current water system has deteriorated to a
degree that potable water is seldom available.


2. The ODC submitted three Excess Property requests that are
now funded and currently being processed and shipped by
EUCOM-J4-ID-HA. One request is to supply furniture and school
equipment to two affiliated orphanages for disabled children. The
second request is to supply the same items for a boarding school for
children with disabilities. A third EP project for fire fighting
equipment to support the Armenian Rescue Service (ARS) is currently
being coordinated by the BAO and EUCOM-J4-ID-HA.


H. International Military Education and Training (IMET):
English Language testing and number of IMET students in US.


1. Training Snapshot
Students at DLI: 12
Students at Specialty Training: 6
E-IMET: 0


2. English Comprehension Level (ECL) Testing
Students tested in March: 6



3. PERSONNEL/RESOURCES/LOGISTICS


A. GAINS: None.


B. LOSSES: None


C. ATTACHED PERSONNEL (TDY): None.


D. APPROVED LEAVES NEXT 30 DAYS: None


E. TDY NEXT 30 DAYS: LTC Peterson : OSD Policy and Strategy
Conference in Wash DC, 28 Apr - 3 May


F. RATING SCHEME CHANGES: None


G. EXTENSIONS/CURTAILMENTS: None.


5. ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES:


A. EFFICIENCY REPORT SUSPENSES: ODC Chief's final OER due with
departure of Maj Gen Remkes


B. AWARD SUSPENSES: None


C. PERSONNEL ACTIONS: None


6. ODC CHIEF'S COMMENTS: The State of Emergency (SoE) that was
imposed by the Armenian government on 1 Mar 08 in response to
post-presidential election clashes between protesters and security
services that left eight dead was lifted on 20 Mar 08. During the
SoE all EUCOM military-military activities (with the exception of
humanitarian mine action) were postponed as directed by OSD. With
the SoE now lifted, the US Charge d'Affaires in Armenia supports
postponing most mil-mil events until Jul 08 in order to observe the
policy direction of the new Armenian government. FMF funded medical
training events in May are preferred to not be affected by these
postponements, but most JCTP and all Defense Institution Building
events will be. The Embassy preference is for a measured reduction
of events versus a complete postponement of all events. OSD-ISA is
in general agreement and weighing in on specific events. A final
approach for the coming months should be agreed upon in the coming
days. The local situation in the coming weeks will further aid in
determining the rapidity of resuming the full ODC mil-mil schedule
in Armenia. The Armenian Presidential Inauguration on 9 Apr 08 may
be a good measure of Armenian public opinion in this regard.


7. POC for this message is LTC Doug Peterson.

37410-49-46-65
37410-46-47-36(fax)
petersond@state.gov