ATTORNEY GENERAL AGREES TO ASSIGNMENT OF TDY DEA NARCOTICS

UNCLAS ABUJA 000980 SIPDIS STATE FOR INL/AAE FOR ABURNETT and JLYLE; BAGHDAD FOR DMCCULLOUGH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR KCRM ASEC EAID NI IZ SUBJECT: ATTORNEY GENERAL AGREES TO ASSIGNMENT OF TDY DEA NARCOTICS ADVISOR TO NDLEA Ref: Sanders-Silski-Piascik emails of February 24-25, 2009 ¶1. This is an action request. See paras 3 and 4 and 6. ¶2. Post wishes to report the receipt of Diplomatic Note number M.679/2009 from the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledging that the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria approves the deployment of a U.S. narcotics advisor that will be attached to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for a period of six months. The Diplomatic Note encourages post to make further arrangements to effect the deployment of the advisor to the NDLEA for the purpose of strengthening its capacity to investigate and prosecute major drug traffickers. Text of diplomatic note follows at para 6. ¶3. Action request: As a first step, Mission requests that INL and DEA begin the process of identifying narcotics advisor. The advisor will be located at the NDLEA offices in Lagos, Nigeria. The advisor would serve under a Personal Services Contract (PSC) on a TDY basis for a period of 6 months. Identifying someone early will allow us to move more quickly once the scope of work is agreed to with the Attorney General. ¶4. Action request continued: At the same time, post requests INL/AAE draft a new Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the Government of Nigeria (GON). The LOA should specify the broad contours of the activities for the advisor, and should include assistance on investigation and prosecution of major drug traffickers as well as strengthening interdiction activities at seaports and borders. The LOA should clearly indicate that NDLEA and other Government of Nigeria entities will ensure appropriate access to GON officials and agencies. NDLEA should also be responsible for supplying adequate office space in a location that will facilitate maximum interaction with relevant officers. ¶5. As a PSC, this individual will be signed up for the basic ICASS package (CLO and Health Unit are mandatory),motorpool and security services. ¶6. Action request: Post requests that funding for the advisor's ICASS costs reflect FY 2010 PD&S costs, as INL ICASS costs (to be provided separately) cannot be paid from project funds but only with PD&S funds. ICASS costs will be billed through the TDY module. In addition to ICASS costs, funding will be required for operational support costs such as lodging and field travel. Post looks forward to receiving resources as noted above to fund the NDLEA Advisor position. ¶7. Text of Diplomatic Note: Note No...M.679/2009......... The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honour to acknowledge its letter to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation and to inform the esteemed Embassy that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is well disposed to the attachment of an advisor from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for a period of six months. The Embassy may therefore wish to proceed with further discussion and arrangements to effect its proposal which the Ministry believes has the potential to strengthen NDLEA's capacity to investigate and prosecute major drug traffickers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. Abuja, 21st May, 2009. Embassy of the United Sates of America, Plot 1075, Diplomatic Drive Central Business District, Abuja. End Diplomatic Note SANDERS