MISSION ENDORSES DIS SUPPORT AT UPCOMING UN

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000423

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

STATE FOR AF/C, S/USSES
NSC FOR GAVIN
LONDON FOR POL - LORD
PARIS FOR POL - BAIN AND KANEDA
ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR AU

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF PHUM CD
SUBJECT: MISSION ENDORSES DIS SUPPORT AT UPCOMING UN
PLEDGING CONFERENCE

REF: NDJAMENA 403

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SUMMARY
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1. (SBU) The UN will host an October 2 pledging conference
in Brussels for P5 nations and other donor countries to seek
financial support for programs under MINURCAT's Trust Fund.
The UN is specifically seeking 21.6 million USD to finance
continued training for the Chadian Integrated Security
Detachment (DIS) and programs in the judicial and prison
sectors, all of which are funded exclusively through the
Trust Fund. Nine months after its inception, the DIS is
already registering concrete community policing successes,
having contributed to improved security in the east. Mission
strongly endorses continued U.S. involvement in training and
financial support for the DIS, which benefits not only
refugees and internally displaced persons but all Chadians,
the GOC, and the international community. (Reftel provides
MINURCAT SRSG Victor Angelo,s most recent assessment of the
DIS.) END SUMMARY.

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UN REQUEST FOR DIS SUPPORT
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2. (SBU) Funding for many capacity-building and community
support programs within MINURCAT's mandate comes from outside
the peacekeeping operation's main budget. The MINURCAT Trust
Fund, which is replenished by voluntary contributions of UN
member states, is the primary source of money used to pay for
capacity-building and community support projects. Alain
LeRoy, UN Undersecretary General for Peacekeeping Operations,
has invited P5 countries, as well as other current and
prospective donors, to attend an October 2 pledging
conference in Brussels for the Trust Fund. The UN is seeking
continued financial support for the Chadian Integrated
Security Detachment (DIS) and for MINURCAT,s justice and
prisons programs, all funded exclusively through the Trust
Fund. According to the UN, donors have contributed a total
of 22 million USD to the Trust Fund during 2008 and 2009,
including 2 million USD each year from the USG (via PRM
funding sources). The UN estimates that it will need an
additional 21.6 million USD in 2010 to fund the DIS and
justice and prisons programs throughout that year.


3. (SBU) The UN sees the DIS and a revitalized Chadian
judicial system as complementary projects. The efforts of
the DIS, which has been developing capacity in apprehending
perpetrators, naturally reinforces a better-functioning
judicial system that is capable of processing cases,
providing adequate legal support, and incarcerating alleged
criminals. The UN's 2010 appeal of 21.6 M USD is designed to
finance programs aimed at restoring rule of law in Chad. The
UN's judicial and prison program will also benefit from, and
reinforce, an EU-funded program in security sector reform,
which is just beginning.

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DIS: ALREADY REGISTERING SUCCESS
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4. (SBU) By all local accounts, the DIS has developed into a
law enforcement entity that has improved security in eastern
Chad. The UN's efforts and continuous training cycles have
not only created basic policing capacity among the force, but
have increased arrests, successful pursuit of criminal
cases, confiscation of weapons, and recovery of stolen
humanitarian agency and NGO vehicles. With the mandated
850-member DIS force fully deployed, MINURCAT plans to use
part of its planned 2010 budget of 21.6M USD to augment DIS
capabilities in the areas of firearms usage, crowd control,
the role of judicial police, and community policing. The UN
recognizes that the long-term sustainability of the DIS
depends on political and financial support from the GOC.
MINURCAT and the GOC will begin discussions in 2010 to
develop a plan for full GOC financial support of the DIS.

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COMMENT

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5. (SBU) Mission believes that the 850-member DIS has
developed into a positive law enforcement entity in Chad.
MINURCAT's training has sometimes been the only standardized
policing instruction available in country. The success of
the DIS some nine months after its inception is a testament
to the desire of the Chadian gendarmerie to aid in increasing
security for refugees and internally displaced persons
(IDPs),and to coordinate with international institutions
attempting to help resolve a major international crisis. We
encourage continued USG funding for the Trust Fund, whether
through existing resources or other funding streams aimed at
increasing police capacity, local understanding of rule of
law, and the desire of more progressive elements in Chadian
society to protect the most vulnerable in their midst. END
COMMENT.


6. (U) Minimize considered.
BREMNER