FY10 JCET TORCON FROM THE REPUBLIC OF SURINAME

S E C R E T PARAMARIBO 000283 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR SEAN WHALEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2019 TAGS: ASEC MARR PINS PREL PTER NS MASS SUBJECT: FY10 JCET TORCON FROM THE REPUBLIC OF SURINAME REF: STATE 23749 Classified By: AMBASSADOR LISA BOBBIE SHCREIBER HUGHES, REASONS 1.4 (A) & (C),(E) ¶1. (C) Summary: With revisions, Embassy Paramaribo concurs with the Terms of Reference (TOR) of ODA/JCET deployment o/a 1 October 2009 until o/a 30 December 2009 related to FY2010 Combatting Terrorism/SOF Training with Partner Nation (PN) force, the Suriname Armed Forces and CT elements from the Ministry of Justice and Police. Necessary revisions entail scaling back JCET pax to no greater numbers than those deployed during preceding 4 JCET deployments. Upcoming TOR should duplicate - and should not change - TORs from preceding 4 JCET deployments. Government of Suriname concurrence is pending. Post does not anticipate any shift in GOS support for continuation of JCET through December 30, ¶2009. Post will send SEPTEL GOS concurrence. End Summary. ¶2. (S) Due to the sensitive nature of the political situation in Suriname associated with the ongoing trial of former military strongman, Desi Bouterse, each phase of training will need to be carefully considered prior to continuation. While no specific impediments to implementation are anticipated, it is necessary to monitor, analyze, and reassess the local political climate and develop mutually agreed upon tripwires; if necessary, we may need to consider amendments to the timeline or scope of training -- or discontinue training -- if the situation significantly changes. ¶3. (C) U.S. Ambassador, Lisa Bobbie Schreiber Hughes, concurs with Terms of Reference with revisions noted and agrees to continued coordination and discussion towards implementation. ¶4. (C) Commander, U.S. Military Liaison Office Paramaribo and Senior Defense Representative, LCDR Waymon Jackson, concurs with deployment of JCET to Suriname. ¶5. (S) Units identified to participate in this JCET are the Arrest Team and Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) from the Ministry of Justice and Police and the Korps Special Tropen (Special Forces unit) from the Armed Forces of Suriname. Leahy vetting requirements for each unit have been completed (REFTEL) with no derogatory information noted and are current through March 12, 2010. ¶6. (C) Rules of Engagement: USSOUTHCOM and Chairman Joint Chiefs Of Staff (CJCS) Standing rules of engagement (SROE) are in effect. DOD personnel shall not directly participate in law enforcement activities such as search, seizure, arrest or similar activity. DOD personnel will not accompany U.S. or PN Personnel to, or provide support from, a location outside of a secure base or area of operations and will conduct their RWOT support activities only from secure bases or within areas that have been determined by CDR USSOUTHCOM designated authority to present a minimal risk of contact with hostile elements. DOD personnel will make every effort to minimize the possibility of confrontation (armed or otherwise) with civilians and will comply with the limitations of actions described in SECDEF 03 Jan 2003 memorandum. ¶7. (U) This cable completes requirements for TOR Concurrence (TORCON) from AMEMB Paramaribo, and the USMLO. GOS concurrence is pending. ¶8. (U) Point of contact for this action is LCDR Waymon Jackson, MLO COMMANDER, at international 011-597-477-937 or US commercial switch 301-985-9492. SCHREIBER HUGHES