HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING REQUEST TO ATTEND PARK PROTECTION

UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000518 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR PM-HDP, DRL, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP AND S/GHD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KSTC PARM PREL KNNP CB SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING REQUEST TO ATTEND PARK PROTECTION TRAINING AT SEQUOIA AND KINGS NATIONAL PARK, THREE RIVERS, CA AUGUST 18-28, 2009 REF: 03 SECSTATE 034981 ¶1. This is an action cable. See Paragraph Six. ¶2. Reftel is guidance for screening nominees for U.S. sponsored training programs. ¶3. To comply with the Leahy amendment relative to U.S. sponsored security assistance training, the U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh has conducted local human rights vetting for the following individuals selected for U.S. National Park Service training on Park Protection at Sequoia and Kings National Park, Three Rivers, CA, August 18-28, ¶2009. NAME: Sok, Kheng DPOB: May 10, 1970; Takeo POSITION: Military Police Officer / Forest Ranger RANK: Warrant Officer DEPT/UNIT: Intervention Unit, Pailin Province Military Police, Ministry of Defense NAME: Say, Ratanak DPOB: December 4, 1968; Banteay Meanchey POSITION: Assistant to Office of Security Information RANK: Chief Warrant Officer DEPT/UNIT: Office of Security Information, Pailin Province Military Police, Ministry of Defense NAME: Yuok, Koeun DPOB: March 2, 1974; Siem Reap POSITION: Chief of Border Patrol RANK: First Lieutenant DEPT/UNIT: Border Police Office, Pailin Provincial Police, Ministry of Interior NAME: Thaong, Sy Yen DPOB: March 2, 1971; Battambang POSITION: Chief of Group Intervention RANK: Chief Warrant Officer DEPT/UNIT: Intervention Unit, Battambang Province Military Police, Ministry of Defense NAME: Buo, Sina DPOB: December 10, 1968; Siem Reap POSITION: Logistics Assistant RANK: Chief Warrant Officer DEPT/UNIT: Intervention Unit, Pailin Province Military Police, Ministry of Defense ¶4. U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh has reviewed its files and finds that, as of this date, it possesses no credible information of gross violations of human rights by the above individuals. ¶5. The above individuals will attend a course on national park law enforcement and protection scheduled on August 18-28 at Sequoia and Kings National Park in Three Rivers, CA. Sequoia National Park Rangers will teach the course. The Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation, which works with the individuals in Samlaut National Park in Cambodia, is funding the costs for travel and participation. ¶6. Action request: Please verify whether the Department possesses any credible information that the individuals named above have been implicated in gross violations of human rights. ¶7. Points of contacts for Amembassy Phnom Penh are Juhani Platt at plattjm@state.gov or tel: 855-23-728-404, Jenae Johnson at Johnsonjd3@state.gov or tel: 855-23-728-118. RODLEY