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