REQUEST FOR JIATF-W TEAM TO VISIT BANGLADESH TO

UNCLAS DHAKA 000105 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/PB AND S/CT SOCPAC FOR LTC FLICK SOJ3X E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PGOV IN BG SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR JIATF-W TEAM TO VISIT BANGLADESH TO HELP DEVELOP BORDER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY REF: A. 08 DHAKA 1127 ¶B. DHAKA 78 ¶C. DHAKA 92 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (U) This is an action cable. Please see paragraph 2. -------------- REQUEST FOR JIATF-W ASSISTANCE -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Assessments on border security in 2008 identified numerous factors that contribute to Bangladesh's porous air, land and sea borders (Reftel A). To counter the threat of transnational terrorism and narcotics trafficking created by these porous borders, Embassy Dhaka is drawing up a strategy to provide training and other assistance to help Bangladesh improve border management. The Ambassador discussed USG interest in providing this assistance in his introductory calls with the newly elected Prime Minister and her Home Ministry team, all of whom welcomed this initiative (Reftels B and C). Embassy Dhaka realizes the Joint Interagency Task Force-West can make a great contribution to this project. The Embassy therefore requests Pacific Command to send a team of JIATF-W subject matter experts to Dhaka to assist the Embassy's Counterterrorism Working Group develop a strategy of engaging the Government of Bangladesh to improve border security. ¶3. (SBU) Embassy Dhaka proposes the JIATF-W team visit in late February or March. The Embassy point of contact will be Political Officer Dan Biers, who can be reached at biersdl@state.gov. MORIARTY