Cablegate: Request for Pm/Wra Funding for Weapons Destruction

VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHML #2963 2430750
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 310750Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8081

UNCLAS MANILA 002963

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PM/WRA (ADAMS) AND EAP/MTS
USPACOM ALSO FOR FPA HUSO
SECDEF/OSD/ISA/AP (LAWLESS/TOOLAN/BAILEY)
JS/J5 (WILKES/ROBINSON/CLEMMONS)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR MASS PARM PREL PTER RP
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR PM/WRA FUNDING FOR WEAPONS DESTRUCTION
PROGRAM IN THE PHILIPPINES

REF: A. 06MANILA3852

B. EMAIL FROM PM/WRA MARK ADAMS 8/23/07

1. This cable contains an action request for PM/WRA. See
para 4.

2. The Small Arms and Light Weapons destruction program was
designed to reduce and remove the armed threat posed by
terrorists, insurgents, and criminals. The program is
currently undertaking demilitarization, decommissioning, and
destruction of 32,726 captured and surrendered weapons stored
in Philippine military warehouses. However, many more
weapons remain to be destroyed, including not only those
stored by the military but also those held by the national
police. Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group - Philippines
(JUSMAG-P) representatives continue to work with Philippine
military officials and a local contractor to ensure that all
weapons are destroyed and disposed of properly.

3. Post received $150,000 for the program in FY06 and hopes
to secure additional funding to expand the program in FY08.
Expansion of the program would allow post to address ordnance
disposal, including outdated U.S. ordnance now stored near
Corregidor Island, and would help eradicate several potential
threats posed by improvised explosive devices throughout the
Philippines.

4. Action request: Post requests $300,000 in FY08 funding
from the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement for the
continuation and expansion of the Small Arms and Light
Weapons destruction program in the Philippines. Please
advise if such funding is available for this purpose.

KENNEY

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