Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10TBILISI50
2010-01-13 14:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tbilisi
Cable title:  

GEORGIANS OFFER LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING FOR IRAQI

Tags:  PREL SNAR MARR GG AF IZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHSI #0050/01 0131446
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 131446Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY TBILISI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2704
C O N F I D E N T I A L TBILISI 000050 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CARC ANDINL/AAE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2020
TAGS: PREL SNAR MARR GG AF IZ
SUBJECT: GEORGIANS OFFER LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING FOR IRAQI
AND AFGHAN POLICE

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Kent D. Logsdon for reasons 1.4(
b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L TBILISI 000050

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CARC ANDINL/AAE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/14/2020
TAGS: PREL SNAR MARR GG AF IZ
SUBJECT: GEORGIANS OFFER LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING FOR IRAQI
AND AFGHAN POLICE

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Kent D. Logsdon for reasons 1.4(
b) and (d).


1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 4.


2. (C) Post received the below letter addressed to the
Ambassador from Minister of Internal Affairs Vano
Merabishvili offering law enforcement training assistance for
Iraqi and Afghan police. The Embassy received identical
letters addressed to the DATT and CIADirector Panetta. Post
seeks Washington guidance regarding this offer so that we can
provide a coordinated response to this offer of law
enforcement training assistance. If Washington believes that
there may be a need for this kind of support, post strongly
recommends that an assessment be made of Georgia's
capabilities prior to providing a positive response.


3. (C) Comment: While the GOG's offer of support for
coalition operations is well-intentioned, Post has concerns
about the Georgians' ability to effectively implement the
specified training. Post's experience with our ongoing
bilateral law enforcement assistance program raises questions
about the GOG's training capacity, in particular, whether
their law enforcement facilities have sufficiently
experienced instructors and adequate resources to adequately
train third-country nationals.

4 (U) Action Request: Please provide guidance for the
Ambassador's response to Minister Merabishvili.


5. (U) Text of the letter received January 12, 2010 follows.

Text of letter:

Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia
No. 1/12-129 11-01-2010

To: John R. Bass
Ambassador of the United States of America to Georgia

Your Excellency,

The Government of Georgia would like to reiterate its support
to the efforts of the US and its allies in the global war on
terror, as well as the development of democracy in
Afghanistan and Iraq. As a member of the global
anti-terrorist coalition, Georgia is ready to contribute to
the strengthening of law-enforcement and security agencies in
Afghanistan and Iraq and thus add support to bringing peace
to these countries.

Apart from sending troops to Afghanistan and Iraq, the
Government of Georgia can assist these countries by
organizing trainings for their police and security service
officers. The material-technical base and human resources of
the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia are available for
this purpose.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia can provide two
of its training centers: "Police Academy" and "Combat
Training Center" for training Afghan and Iraqi officers in
the following areas:

- De-mining and post explosion response;
- Freeing hostages in buildings and vehicles;
- Covert reconnaissance and intelligence information
gathering;
- Riot control;
- Forensics;
- Border patrolling;
- Shooting, both in real-life conditions and with simulators;
- Special weapons and tactics;
- Mapping;
- Field medical support;
- Police and society: effective public relations and
communication;
- Driving and maintenance of different civilian and police
cars, including armed vehicles;
- Financial management and logistics;

The facilities of these training centers include:

Buildings
Campuses can accommodate 24 groups - 640 students in total.
All classrooms are equipped with laptops, projectors, special
screens, etc.

Computer classes
There are 8 computer classrooms with 180 computers in total,
allowing lessons and testing for 180 attendants
simultaneously.


Campuses
Campuses can accommodate 220 visitors simultaneously, among
them 24 females. Rooms for men and women are located on
different floors.

Open and closed shooting ranges
Different types of open and closed shooting ranges are
located on the territories of the centers. Ranges have
electronic equipment and moving targets installed. Centers
have two shooting range simulators, equipped with FATS,
LASER-SHOOT simulators, and different situational scenarios.

English language training center
Visitors can use the library and attend English language
classes capable of accepting 30 students simultaneously.
Arabic language interpreters are available.

Sports facilities
Centers contain open and closed sports halls, including gyms,
basketball, volleyball and soccer fields.

Canteen
Food for employees and visitors are available in both centers.

Security
The outside perimeters of the training centers are protected
24 hours. Entrances and hallways are controlled by security
cameras.

In case of further interest, we are ready to provide all
necessary information.

We also welcome the participation of US visiting specialists
in these trainings.

Respectfully yours,


Ivane Merabishvili

Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia

End Text.
LOGSDON