Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TASHKENT220
2009-02-26 05:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:  

UZBEKISTAN: 2008 INL END USE MONITORING REPORT

Tags:  SNAR PREL ASEC AFIN EAID UZ 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 TASHKENT 000220 SENSITIVE SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR INL TIM BARRY AND ANDREW BUHLER ANKARA FOR DEA CHRIS MELINK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR PREL ASEC AFIN EAID UZ SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: 2008 INL END USE MONITORING REPORT REF: a) 07 STATE 166080 TASHKENT 00000220 001.2 OF 010 REF: 07 STATE 166080 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED Please protect accordingly. Per instructions in reftel, Embassy Tashkent presents the required annual End Use Monitoring Report to the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) for calendar year 2008. As bilateral relations with Uzbekistan continue to improve, end use monitoring trips have provided excellent opportunities to network and rebuild contacts with local law enforcement officials. A substantial portion of the inventory of INL-donated equipment has now exceeded its useful lifespan, and we will remove some quantities of equipment from our monitoring lists; however, we will continue to request inspection of such equipment at our discretion. Meanwhile, INL should consider increasing investments in Uzbekistan to reflect its growing strategic importance to the United States in the context of our enhanced regional approach to resolving the conflict in Afghanistan. -------------- PROCEDURES -------------- ¶A. Inventory Management Timothy Buckley is responsible for the INL Tashkent program. He can be reached by telephone at: 998-71-120- 5450; fax: 998-71-120-6335; or unclassified email: BuckleyTP@state.gov. INL Assistant Dmitriy Dogovorov can be reached by office telephone: 998-71-120-5450; fax: 998-71-120-5400; or unclassified email: dogovorovd@state.gov. Post has one full-time Locally Engaged Staff (LES) position to support INL initiatives in Uzbekistan. The Embassy continues to improve procedures for INL equipment monitoring. In 2007 we created an INL equipment database containing records of all equipment provided to the GOU and records of previous inspections. The database includes all equipment-related information and supports dozens of different queries. INL equipment has been distributed throughout all 12 provinces of Uzbekistan, although a majority has now exceeded its reasonable expected lifespan. The INL program in Uzbekistan has been very modest in recent fiscal years and is administered by an officer in the political and economic section who must divide work time between several portfolio items. Other than the one
INL LES there are no other post positions with end-use monitoring responsibilities and there was no change in staffing from year 2007. Due to post security concerns the LES is only authorized to visit host government law enforcement installations when an American officer is present, which makes end use monitoring more resource intensive. Other pol/econ officers, especially one who handles the Export and Related Border Security (EXBS) portfolio, also occasionally visit facilities to conduct end use monitoring involving INL-donated equipment. No other USG agencies represented at post conducted any end use monitoring of INL-provided resources. However, in late 2008 and early 2009 a visiting Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agent conducted some end-use monitoring of INL-donated equipment, which was an excellent opportunity to build contacts in the host government in anticipation of greater engagement on counternarcotics. The poloff responsible for the INL portfolio performed end use monitoring tasks for a project implemented by the Department of Justice International Criminal Investigative and Training Assistance Program (DOJ-ICITAP). TASHKENT 00000220 002.2 OF 010 ¶B. Counterpart Agencies The following Uzbek government entities have received INL-donated equipment: Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) State Customs Committee Ministry of Health (MOH) National Security Service (NSS) (includes the Border Guards) Office of the General Prosecutor Cooperation on end use monitoring improved in 2008 along with the bilateral relationship, yet there are still bureaucratic obstacles. The GOU continues to regard its law enforcement installations as very sensitive and, like all post's dealings with the government, any request for access must be submitted well in advance via diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Approval of the notes can cause significant delays in subsequently conducting end use monitoring visits. Late approval by the host government of our formal diplomatic note outlining visits in the autumn of 2008 resulted in some of our end use monitoring for calendar year 2008 to be conducted in January 2009. In 2008, the secretive National Security Service finally allowed us to inspect a Jeep Cherokee which it commandeered from the State Customs Committee several years ago. The negative aspects of this incident were well-documented in previous editions of this report, and this year marked a step in the right direction in that we could finally confirm the vehicle is being used by the government, albeit not by the agency it was originally intended for. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Customs Committee maintain positive relationships with the Embassy and appreciate the USG equipment they have received over the years; however, they are still bound by bureaucratic procedures which continue to limit our access and contact with officers. Embassy Tashkent requires the Government of Uzbekistan to sign an End User Certificate upon receipt of all INL- funded equipment. This document requires relevant GOU agencies to provide the Embassy information regarding each donated item, including product description, serial number, and geographical location where the equipment is deployed. Post submitted a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as required by the Government of Uzbekistan, to request access to specific equipment for monitoring purposes. It is not possible to conduct random, surprise inspections at Uzbek law enforcement installations where our equipment is located. ¶C. On-Site Inspections On-site inspections are the only reliable means of conducting required end use monitoring, even though they must be arranged far in advance. Typically, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs then provides us with a local contact who represents the appropriate ministry and we plan our visit details. Random, unscheduled visits are not possible and government officials at all levels throughout the country adhere to strict bureaucratic requirements to arrange permission far in advance through formal channels. There were 22 scheduled on-site inspections performed in 2008 (and early 2009 as part of our process for the 2008 calendar year) around the country. There were some opportunities for unscheduled inspections when embassy officers crossed land borders or visited checkpoints where some INL-donated equipment is located. For instance, at an official visit to the border checkpoint of Xayraton (the main crossing between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan near Termez) in June 2008, the Ambassador observed Uzbek Customs officers using INL-donated TASHKENT 00000220 003.2 OF 010 flashlights, leatherman utility toolkits, and search mirrors to conduct vehicle inspections, even though it was not an end use monitoring trip. Scheduled On-site Inspections performed: Date Location Site 01/14/08 Bukhara Provincial Customs Office 01/15/08 Navoiy Provincial Customs Office 01/25/08 Tashkent MVD Sensitive Investigative Unit 04/25/08 Tashkent Main Forensic Laboratory 08/27/08 Nukus Provincial Customs Office 12/18/08 Tashkent NSS Jeep 01/20/08 Ming-Tepa Border Checkpoint 01/20/08 Kesken-Er Border Checkpoint 01/21/09 Ferghana City MVD Counter Drug Dept 01/21/09 Urgench Khorezm Forensic Laboratory 01/21/08 Urgench MVD Counter Drug Dept 01/22/09 Pitnak-Dustlik Border Post 01/22/09 Yangibazar Border Post 01/23/09 Nukus MVD Counter Drug Dept 01/26/09 Tashkent Main MOH Forensic Laboratory 01/30/09 Tashkent MVD Sensitive Investigative Unit 01/30/09 Tashkent MVD Counter Drug Unit 01/30/09 Tashkent MVD City Police Counter Drug Unit 01/31/09 Tash Region MVD Counter Drug Unit for Province 02/02/09 Guliston MVD SyrDarya Counter Drug Unit 02/02/09 Jizzakh MVD Counter Drug Unit 02/03/09 Samarqand MVD Counter Drug Unit There is a large quantity of INL-donated items to be inspected, many dating from a previous era of stronger bilateral cooperation. For instance, INL funding was used to completely equip the Sensitive Investigative Unit (SIU) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Equipment at this facility alone includes everything from handcuffs to GPS units to computer workstations. In 2007, INL provided several hundred flashlights and Leatherman utility toolkits for Customs Officers, particularly for those stationed in Surkhandarya Province near the Afghanistan and Tajikistan borders. It is therefore not practical to inspect all INL-donated equipment on an annual basis. This year we conducted field visits to check the status of key collections of INL-funded equipment or items which we did not inspect in 2007. We prioritized major items such as vehicles, laboratory instruments, and the extensive equipment provided to the counter-narcotics-focused SIU. We also visited several small provincial police stations where INL-funded TVs, VCRs, and camera equipment was distributed. ¶D. Secondary Methods of Monitoring Resource Status Comparison of Records Written and computerized government records in Uzbekistan are not well-developed and are not yet a reliable source of information. Frankly, we would not likely be granted regular access to such databases. Rather, we use our own detailed databases to identify priority equipment to inspect each year and submit diplomatic notes to arrange permission to conduct physical on-site inspections. -------------- STATUS - COMMODITIES -------------- ¶A. Type of Commodity The following major equipment, mostly purchased during previous fiscal years, is included on our end-use monitoring inventory: Computers to SIU -- In January 2004, Embassy delivered 25 workstations to the counter-narcotics-focused Sensitive Investigative Unit within the Ministry of Internal Affairs. TASHKENT 00000220 004.2 OF 010 Communications Equipment to SIU -- In July 2003, 30 cellular telephones, 30 Motorola GP-360 handheld radios, and four Thuraya satellite phones were provided to the SIU within the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Vehicles to Customs -- In August 2000, the Uzbek State Customs Committee received nine 4-wheel-drive Jeep Cherokees and spare parts. Vehicles to SIU -- In December 2003, INL delivered 28 vehicles to the SIU of various makes and models to assist with counternarcotics investigations. Laboratory Equipment to MVD In July 2004, post delivered and finished installation of laboratory equipment to enhance the GOU's capabilities to perform forensic analyses of explosives substances. Equipment donated to the explosives laboratory at the Ministry of Internal Affairs included a Sabre-2000 portable explosive detector, five digital scales, and an Agilent Electrophoresis system. A Nicolet IR Spectrometer system was previously delivered to the lab in 1999. Laboratory Equipment to MOH Lab -- The main forensic laboratory at the Ministry of Health (which analyzes narcotic substances) received several sophisticated instruments funded by INL, including an Agilent Gas Chromatograph and Mass Spectrometer System, which greatly supported evidence processing in criminal drug cases. This is the only active project (administered by DOJ- ICITAP) for which we are continuing to purchase and transfer extensive quantities of equipment. Miscellaneous Equipment to Border Guards -- In October 2001, INL provided the then Committee for State Border Protection document examination equipment to improve passport control activities at border checkpoints. Donated equipment included: 100 Universal Desktop Magnifiers and spare lamps, 200 Hand-Held UV-spot detectors and spare UV lamps, eight Multifunctional Passport Readers, and one set of Passport computer software with samples of more than 2,000 different passports and identification documents. Miscellaneous Equipment to SIU Basic investigative equipment was distributed to the Counter Drug Department of the Uzbek Ministry of Internal Affairs. The equipment transferred included 21 digital video cameras, 68 portable digital audio recorders, 36 digital cameras, and 19 TV sets and VCRs. We were able to check a significant amount of this equipment during visits to provincial police stations this year. Furniture for Border Checkpoints -- INL supported a joint border project with the Embassy Export Control and Related Border Security Program (EXBS),which provided modular shelters for Uzbek Border Guards. INL Tashkent purchased, delivered, and installed custom-made furniture for the shelters. ¶B. Location Computers to SIU -- The 25 workstations are located at the main SIU headquarters in Tashkent. Communications Equipment to SIU -- All equipment, including 30 cellular telephones, 30 Motorola GP-360 handheld radios, and four Thuraya satellite phones, is located at the main headquarters in Tashkent. Vehicles to Customs -- The nine 4-wheel-drive Jeep Cherokees were dispersed throughout the country. Uzbek Customs assigned three vehicles to counter-smuggling units in Tashkent Province (which includes rugged mountain terrain in its territory) as well as one each to Bukhara, Navoi, Karakalpakstan and Ferghana Provinces. TASHKENT 00000220 005.2 OF 010 The two remaining vehicles, which were commandeered by the National Security Service and the Office of the General Prosecutor, are located in Tashkent. Vehicles to SIU -- The 28 vehicles delivered to the SIU are based at the headquarters in Tashkent. Laboratory Equipment to MVD Equipment donated to the explosives laboratory at the Ministry of Internal Affairs included a Sabre-2000 portable explosive detector, five digital scales, and an Agilent Electrophoresis system. A Nicolet IR Spectrometer system was previously delivered to the lab in 1999. It is located in Tashkent. Laboratory Equipment to MOH -- The main forensic laboratory at the Ministry of Health is where our most active INL project is proceeding. We continued to donate a range of sophisticated laboratory instruments to the facility, which is located in the capital of Tashkent. A small amount of equipment, including microscopes and refrigerators, were donated to other provincial laboratories. Miscellaneous Equipment to Border Guards -- Document examination equipment to improve passport control activities at border checkpoints is distributed to more than 40 checkpoints around the country as well as the Border Guard Academy. Miscellaneous Equipment to MVD Basic investigative equipment was distributed to the Counter Drug Department of the Uzbek Ministry of Internal Affairs. Numerous equipment is maintained at the SIU headquarters in Tashkent, while other communications equipment was distributed to various counter drug departments at provincial command posts throughout the country. Furniture for Border Checkpoints -- INL-provided furniture is located at four rural border checkpoints. Two are on the border with Kyrgyzstan in the Ferghana Valley and two are on the border with Turkmenistan in Khorezm and Karakalpakstan Provinces in the far northwest. ¶C. Use Computers to SIU -- Emboffs visited the facility in January 2008 and a visiting DEA Agent performed an inspection visit in January 2009. In both cases it was clear that the computer equipment is being actively used by law enforcement officers for its intended purpose of supporting counternarcotics investigations. Communications Equipment to SIU -- Emboffs and a visiting DEA Agent inspected the equipment this year. The cell phones are now obsolete but some are still in use; in other cases officers have returned the phones for inventory purposes but prefer to use their personal phones with modern features. The satellite phones are not in use due to the high cost of the service, which the SIU could no longer afford when the Government of Uzbekistan suspended cooperation with the DEA in early ¶2007. As a whole, the array of equipment provided by the U.S. Government still makes the work of the SIU easier, but it is less pivotal with each passing year. Vehicles to Customs -- The seven vehicles remaining with the State Customs Committee are of limited utility since spare parts are unavailable. Several in Tashkent region are still actively used by Customs, while others in the provinces are inoperable. However, they are securely stored and officers were able to explain how they use the vehicles to support their operations. Vehicles to SIU -- INL Tashkent conducted a thorough check in early 2008 and found all 28 vehicles are actively used by police officers of the current unit. A TASHKENT 00000220 006.2 OF 010 visiting DEA Agent also inspected the vehicles and was positively impressed that not only are the vehicles being actively utilized, but much of the other support equipment that should be utilized in the field is indeed with cops on the street. Laboratory Equipment The INL-funded project to upgrade the capabilities at the Main Forensic Laboratory of the Ministry of Health is still active, and numerous embassy officers -- including the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, and Political Chief on separate visits -- were warmly welcomed for tours and demonstrations of the equipment during 2008. The laboratory staff is extremely grateful for U.S. assistance and participated in professional development and training events abroad to enhance the benefit of our equipment donation. The Embassy included a press release of the Ambassador's April 2008 participation in a signing ceremony and tour at the laboratory on its website. Miscellaneous Equipment to Border Guards -- We did not specifically inspect this equipment during this reporting cycle, but poloffs noted the equipment was utilized at the recently constructed modern border checkpoint on the Afghan border at Termez as well as at other vehicle crossing points in the Ferghana Valley and north of Tashkent. Miscellaneous Equipment to SIU Inspections by poloffs and visiting DEA Agent confirmed the equipment is being properly utilized by officers with counternarcotics responsibilities. The creative unit has its own audio- visual technician who improvised modifications to use local handbags that make hidden cameras more discreet. Furniture for Border Checkpoints -- We visited each of the four rural border checkpoints this year and found the furniture to still be in use. ¶D. Condition Computers to SIU -- Poloff and visiting DEA Agent determined on separate visits that the equipment is still in good condition. Extra equipment is carefully packaged and stored on the premises for end use monitoring inventory purposes. The computers are no longer state- of-the-art after several years of use. Communications Equipment to SIU -- An Uzbek police officer has been designated as responsible for maintaining and tracking the inventory, and all equipment is accounted for and in excellent condition given the time elapsed. The cell phones are now obsolete but some are still in use; in other cases officers have returned the phones for inventory purposes but prefer to use their personal phones with modern features. The satellite phones are not in use due to the high cost of the service, which the SIU could no longer afford when the Government of Uzbekistan suspended cooperation with the DEA in early 2007. Much of the equipment is no longer state-of-the-art, and the SIU will need updated equipment in order to keep pace with modern police entities. Vehicles to Customs -- The condition of the Jeeps is generally poor. Customs officers have clearly done the best they can to maintain the Jeep Cherokees, although the government has not provided resources to make repairs. Jeeps are not common in Uzbekistan and spare parts must be imported from abroad; mechanics also are unfamiliar with the vehicles and have difficulty fixing them. The vehicles in Buhkara, Navoiy, and Nukus are inoperable and awaiting repairs. However, they are securely stored in garages. The two vehicles commandeered by other Uzbek government agencies are in the best condition. Vehicles to SIU -- INL Tashkent conducted a thorough TASHKENT 00000220 007.2 OF 010 check in early 2008 and found almost all vehicles in good condition despite intensive use. A visiting DEA Agent conducted a follow up visit and confirmed our earlier findings. The fleet is intentionally mixed, including several local models, to allow undercover units to blend in with their surroundings. The local models are much easier for the SIU to maintain since there is ready availability of spare parts and mechanical expertise. Two Opel Astras still require approximately USD 2,000 of repairs that the SIU has no funds to complete; however, the vehicles are kept in a secure garage and otherwise appear to be in good condition. The vehicles are approaching the end of their useful expected lifespan. Laboratory Equipment Several new sophisticated instruments were donated to the forensic laboratory in 2008 and U.S. experts conducted associated visits and to describe international accreditation standards. Equipment from previous years is also in excellent condition and is carefully cared for by qualified scientific staff. The Uzbek Government, in response to the INL efforts to upgrade the laboratory, is building a modern new building that will soon house the equipment. Miscellaneous Equipment to Border Guards -- It is difficult to arrange access to border checkpoints and the Border Guards have been absorbed into the National Security Service. The equipment has been utilized for a reasonable time period and we will no longer specifically monitor its disposition; however, we will note when it is observed during routine entry or exit formalities. Miscellaneous Equipment to MVD As with other equipment provided to the SIU, poloff and a visiting DEA Agent found the camera and video equipment to be maintained in excellent condition. However, cameras are no longer state-of-the-art, especially as newer-generation digital technology makes cameras from a half-decade ago seem clunky and obsolete. One police official in Ferghana Province said some of the tv, vcr, and camera equipment provided had since been lost or damaged; however, he said the responsible officers had to purchase replacements themselves, which he provided for inspection. Furniture for Border Checkpoints -- Visits to each of the four remote border checkpoints during this reporting period confirmed that the furniture (including refrigerator, oven, bookshelves, lockers, beds, and desks) is being maintained in good condition. ¶E. Unmonitored Commodities We conducted extensive checks during this reporting period, but there were still several provincial police stations which we did not visit to check small quantities of digital cameras, televisions, and VCRs. -------------- STATUS -- INVENTORIES -------------- There are no INL-funded vessels, aircrafts, weapons, or canine programs to monitor in Uzbekistan. Numerous vehicles donated in previous years are tracked in the status-commodities section above. A summary table below itemizes the INL-furnished vehicles in Uzbekistan: STATE CUSTOMS COMMITTEE, COUNTER SMUGGLING UNITS (Donated in 2000): Vehicle Inventory Jeep Cherokee Sport 2.5TD 7* (two other Jeeps were requisitioned by the National Security Service and the Office of the General Prosecutor) SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE UNIT (Donated in 2003): TASHKENT 00000220 008.2 OF 010 Vehicle Inventory Opel Astra Sedan 3 Opel Vectra Elegance 1 Toyota Land Cruiser 100GX 2 Toyota Land Cruiser 100STD 1 Toyota Corolla 1 Daewoo Nexia GLE 11 Daewoo Matiz DLX 2 Daewoo Damas 2 VAZ NIVA 21310 2 VAZ LADA 21099 3 -------------- STATUS -- SERVICES -------------- ¶A. There were no construction projects administered by INL in this reporting period. ¶B. There were no drug demand reduction projects funded by INL in this reporting period. An INL-funded DDR project was completed in late 2007 by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). There is INL funding from FY 2008 that will be used for a follow up DDR project building that is expected to kick off in 2009. A successful INL-funded anti-trafficking in persons program continued during 2008. A total of 14 training events were held around the country reaching more than 500 law enforcement officers and other stakeholders; the host government credited the multi-year project with improving sensitivity to victims among law enforcement officers and it helped key anti-TIP NGOs build lasting connections with local police. Uzbekistan was promoted from Tier 3 to the Tier 2 watchlist on the 2008 edition of the report, and post reported more substantial progress on the 2009 submission. This anti-TIP project work will conclude during 2009. ¶C. There were no other professional services funded by INL during this reporting period. -------------- PROGRAM IMPACT -------------- The INL program budget dropped considerably in recent years as the result of the strained bilateral relationship. Our end use monitoring is in many ways a vestige of a prior era, and the program impact of some major investments diminishes with each passing year. Since the second half of 2007, the Government of Uzbekistan has consistently expressed more willingness to engage with the United States on issues such as counternarcotics, trafficking in persons, and border security. There is now once again an increased demand for INL programs, and we will need budgetary allocations to reflect the heightened cooperation with the host government as well as the strategic importance of Uzbekistan in our broader goals in stemming the tide of narcotics from Afghanistan. The ongoing anti-TIP program administered by an International Organization for Migration (IOM)-affiliated NGO has had a big impact in this reporting period. In 2008 there were 14 events that provided training opportunities to more than 500 people, mostly in remote areas where awareness about the serious TIP problem was low. The Uzbek government openly credits the work of INL and the implementing partner in raising awareness and sensitivity among law enforcement officers, and TIP is undoubtedly the most successful engagement we have seen on the human rights front in the country. The forensic science program also stands out in its TASHKENT 00000220 009.2 OF 010 impact this year, as we have provided equipment and training opportunities to a previously forgotten cadre of scientists who play a central role in ensuring the integrity of evidence and investigations in the criminal justice system. Scientists better understand their role in not only prosecuting the guilty but also in exonerating the innocent. The investments have also contributed to more effective homicide investigations by establishing causes of death more reliably and quickly, and the skills and equipment has even been used to provide treatment to patients suffering from mysterious poisonings. The most enduring legacy from numerous equipment donations in previous years is the goodwill among rank- and-file law enforcement officers toward the United States. They appreciate the equipment, even though it is now often dated, and express a hope that U.S. trainers and equipment will once again reach them on the front lines. -------------- PROBLEMS AND CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN -------------- ¶A. Unmonitored Resources -- Many of the laptop computers delivered to the Border Guards are now broken after years of extensive use. The products have now exceeded their useful expected life span. It is also difficult to arrange access to border posts, especially now that the Border Guards have been incorporated into the National Security Service. No corrective action is required since we will discontinue monitoring this equipment. ¶B. Repair and Maintenance of Commodities -- A substantial amount of INL-donated equipment is ageing after intensive use. The GOU typically does not provide adequate resources to local branches of law enforcement agencies for repairs and maintenance. This was made difficult by the provision of foreign brands of vehicles and equipment for which it is difficult to find spare parts or expertise to complete repairs. Due to the low quality of the fuel in the Uzbekistan retail market, the majority of vehicles also require replacement of the fuel systems. As a result, for example, numerous Jeep Cherokees are broken down in Customs garages in remote corners of the country. They were used intensively for a reasonable timeframe, but the modest provision of spare parts would allow resourceful local commanders to continue to put the equipment to good use. The Nicolet IR spectrometer and portable Sabre-2000 explosive detector have long since broken and require replacement. Poloff noted the staff at the lab are very professional and have taken excellent care of all equipment, but their effectiveness would be enhanced by the repair of these instruments. ¶C. Lack of Use and Misuse of Commodities -- Emboffs and visiting DEA Agent were consistently impressed by the professionalism of Uzbek law enforcement agencies and how much they appreciated U.S. assistance in a resource-poor government. There is no problem with misuse of commodities other than the previously documented incident in which the National Security Service and Office of the General Prosecutor took two of the nine Jeep Cherokees intended for the State Customs Committee. ¶D. Disposal of Commodities -- Many items in our inventory of previously donated INL equipment have reached the end of their useful life. During 2009 we will stop monitoring some stockpiles of equipment. If appropriate, we will contact the recipient agency to discuss disposition assistance. However, the equipment may be utilized and cared for over a longer period if we do not announce our intention to stop monitoring certain equipment from our inventory (such as vehicle search TASHKENT 00000220 010.2 OF 010 mirrors and laptops). We will attempt to identify funds to repair big-ticket items such as vehicles which, although ageing, are still capable of contributing to the effectiveness of law enforcement operations. NORLAND To view the entire SMART message, go to URL http://repository.state.sgov.gov/_layouts/OSS SearchResults.aspx?k=messageid:82772685-53d5- 4d9c-8b03-9414a91be27c

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