U.S. EMBASSY BISHKEK'S REQUEST FOR 1004 AND 1033

UNCLAS BISHKEK 001138 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KG SUBJECT: U.S. EMBASSY BISHKEK'S REQUEST FOR 1004 AND 1033 COUNTERNARCOTICS (CN) SUPPORT ¶1. This message is the initial FY10 request for $24.75 million in DOD Counternarcotics support under Section 1004 and Section 1033 of the current National Defense Authorization Act, as amended for support concerning the Government of Kyrgyzstan Counter Narcotics effort. This request has been approved by the Assistance Working Group of the Embassy and by the Ambassador. ¶2. The US Embassy is concerned with narcotics transit/trafficking activity in Central Asia. Narcotics trafficking into and through the Kyrgyz Republic jeopardizes United States objectives in the region. Furthermore, the Central Asia drug trade funds terrorist groups in Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, and throughout Central Asia. ¶3. Supporting the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic in its efforts to interdict narcotics is an important component of combating terrorism in Central Asia. There is a direct connection between narcotrafficking in Kyrgyzstan and financial support to terrorist groups in Central and South Asia. The programs and proposals outlined in this request were developed jointly by the Embassy Assistance working group, incluQ representatives of DEA, INL, EXBS, DOJ, DOD, and DOS, to support U.S. objectives in the region. ¶4. The Government of Kyrgyzstan's Counter Narcotics programs require this 1004 and 1033 assistance in support of national and regional stability. This assistance will also help lessen the amount of narcotics which transit through Kyrgyzstan, diminish financial support for terrorist groups in Central Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan, help to reinforce/uphold rule of law, and promote regional security. ¶5. These programs (1004 & 1033) are working here already and they are having a significant effect on narcotics interdiction, law enforcement and counternarcoterrorism in the Kyrgyz Republic. Narcotics seizures by the Drug Control Agency have increased dramatically for the most recent six month period (Jan-Jun 2009) as compared to the same period in ¶2008. In the first six months of 2009, heroin seizures were up 331% - from 54 to 179 kg, opium seizures were up 472% - from 25 to 118 kg, and hashish seizures were up 166% - from 171 to 285 kg. In September 2009 DCA seized 38 liters of high quality liquid heroin. The increased efficiency of Kyrgyzstan's counternarcotics forces are a direct result of 1004 and 1033 programs in the country. We want to capitalize on this momentum in fiscal year 2010 and beyond. ¶6. The US Embassy certifies that as of October 1, 2009 there is no evidence of gross violations of human rights by the personnel of any of the units that we propose to train. If this request is approved, Embassy will comply with all Leahy human rights vetting requirements prior to conducting any training. ¶7. Priorities. The priorities of 1004 and 1033 counternarcotics program support ($24.75M total) requested by the US Embassy Bishkek CN program for FY 2010 are (in priority order): ¶A. Salary Supplements ($1 million). Salary supplements for Drug Control Agency (DCA) ($1M). This is an important anti-corruption measure. DCA agents are low-paid, which makes them more susceptible to corruption. One million in salary supplements allows DCA to pay a living wage to its agents. ¶B. DEA Agents ($200,000). Continued, full-time in-country support of US Drug Enforcement Agency agents through the end of fiscal year 2010. Two DEA agents are in-country through February 2010. They are embedded with DCA and their assistance has been invaluable. We wish to extend their full-time in-country presence until the end of the fiscal year and beyond. ¶C. DCA Training ($500,000). Law enforcement techniques training for DCA agents. DCA agents are competent and motivated but lack training in basic law enforcement techniques, including basic investigative skills, report writing, surveillance, maintaining chain of custody, field testing, etc. ¶D. Prosecutor training ($50,000). Training on drug investigations and prosecutions 10 courses for 250 mid-senior level prosecutors in the country, to ensure that narcotraffickers are properly prosecuted and convicted. ¶E. Osh Barracks ($1.5 million). Construction of DCA barracks in Osh for 36 personnel. Allows DCA to post its agents in the southern region of Kyrgyzstan, where narcotics trafficking is heaviest. ¶F. Communications ($8 million). Border Services Communications Package Phase II. Completes existing program to provide communications from Border Services Headquarters to all border posts and intermediate command and control nodes. ¶G. Batken Compound ($3.5 million). Completion of Border Services Compound in Batken. Completes existing construction project that allows Border Services to shift their forces to a remote region rife with narcotrafficking and terrorism. ¶H. Besh-Kungei Military Hospital Phases II-V ($10 million). Completes existing construction project that provides medical care to all armed forces. Each phase is self-contained and can be funded separately if necessary. ¶8. Any questions regarding this request should be addressed to LTC Ted Donnelly, U.S. Embassy Bishkek, Office of Military Cooperation, 996-312-551-241 ext. 4462; Email donnellyt@state.gov. GFOELLER