EMBASSY STAFFING

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001186 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PHUM PREF PK SUBJECT: EMBASSY STAFFING ¶1. (SBU) We understand that staffing of embassies in Pakistan and Afghanistan has been the subject of high level attention in Washington. We have several urgent needs, which we will outline in upcoming cables, and several individuals whom we would like to retain. ¶2. (SBU) Most urgently, we need contracting officers. USAID will not have a single supervisory contracting officer at post by end of June, nor will it have sufficient additional contracting officers to help manage significant supplemental funding and new activities under the President's strategy for Pakistan. Nor have any been identified to assist with the $1.5 billion USAID program in Pakistan. Moreover, the USAID program will grow rapidly with the rebuilding effort needed to return the IDPs to their homes and the already planned increase in the USAID program. ¶3. (SBU) Not only will the lack of contracting officers make it difficult, if not impossible, to move our funding rapidly, it will virtually guarantee negative reports from the numerous Inspectors General who are monitoring the situation and programs in Pakistan. The congress will demand that we disburse this money quickly given the high national security interest, while ensuring adequate monitoring and oversight of the contracts. In our judgment, monitoring of contracts cannot be done offshore. ¶4. (SBU) Embassy requests the immediate assignment of one supervisory and three additional experienced USAID contracting officers to Pakistan and their arrival at post by the end of June. PATTERSON