Cablegate: Lebanon: Section 1207 Funding Used for Demining

VZCZCXRO9862
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHLB #0522/01 1071544
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 161544Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BEIRUT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1540
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 2141
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 2416
RHMFISS/USCENTCOM SPECIAL HANDLING MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1541
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIRUT 000522

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/YERGER
DEPT PASS TO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
DEPT FOR S/CRS CONFLICT PREVENTION DIVISION
SECDEF FOR OSD PARTNERSHIP STRATEGY OFFICE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PGOV PREL PTER LE
SUBJECT: LEBANON: SECTION 1207 FUNDING USED FOR DEMINING
AND CIVIL SECURITY PROGRAMS

REF: STATE 1550

SUMMARY
--------

1. (U) In FY 2006, the State Department's Office of the
Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization (S/CRS)
received $10 million under Section 1207 of the 2006 National
Defense Authorization Act in response to an emergency request
for assistance to Lebanon following the July 2006 war between
Israel and Lebanese-based Hizballah. A USG interagency
group, including representatives from DOD and State,
implemented a number of humanitarian and stabilization
programs. $5 million worth was dedicated to demining
activities and the remaining $5 million was used to support
GOL security forces. Activities funded through 1207 have had
a positive impact on thousands of Lebanese citizens and has
helped stabilize the country in the aftermath of the war.
End Summary.

SUCCESS STORIES
---------------

2. (U) From September 2006 to December 2006, a total of
2,170,915 m2 of Lebanese territory was cleared of mines and
11,642 pieces of unexploded ordnance (UXO) were removed and
destroyed by the Mine Advisory Group (MAG). The 1207 funds
also allowed for the recruitment, equipping, and training of
Battle Area Clearance teams (BAC). Section 1207 funds also
equipped the operational Mine Action Center (MAC) in south
Lebanon to deal with unexploded ordnance (UXO) and
sub-munitions clearance operations. Since August 2006,
nearly 17,000 remnants of war, including cluster
sub-munitions, booby traps and other unexploded ordnance UXO
have been destroyed and over 6.8 million m2 of land have been
cleared in south Lebanon. Nearly 450,000 residents now live
safe and secure lives free from land-mines as a result of
this funding.

3. (U) In addition to demining activities, $5 million of the
FY 06 1207 funding went to activities supporting the Lebanese
Internal Security Forces (ISF) and General Security (GS),
both government law enforcement agencies. With FY 2006 1207
funding, 2000 sets of Civil Disorder Management (CDM)
equipment was delivered to the ISF's Mobile Forces, which
helped them to contain subsequent pro-Hizballah street
protests in Beirut. A USG funded program trained the ISF to
use this gear to preserve order during a chaotic political
time in Lebanon. The ISF action meant that street protests
were unsuccessful in bringing down the democratically elected
government, the protesters aim.

4. (U) FY 06 1207 funding also helped equip GS with 20
computers programmed with i2 investigative analysis software.
Funds will also help train GS officers to operate these
programs. This donation was the first USG foreign assistance
granted to the GS and supported the mission's goals of
strengthening Lebanon's control over its borders by assisting
the GS, which has the sole responsibility over immigration at
the Beirut International Airport (BIA), four land border
crossings, and several maritime ports.

INTERAGENCY COORDINATION
------------------------

5. (U) After the July 2006 war between Israel and Hizballah,
Embassy Beirut established a Reconstruction and Stabilization
(R&S) Office consisting of two FSOs and two LES specialists.
The purpose of this office, which reports directly to the
Front Office is to track all USG foreign assistance in
Lebanon to ensure coordination and maximum utility. The R&S
office chairs weekly meetings of representatives from DOD,
State (MEPI, INL, PD, and RSO), and USAID. Officials from
the three agencies discuss the implementation and evaluation
of all USG funded programs, including FY 06 1207 projects.

6. (U) At these meetings State and DOD officials often
discuss and coordinate on security assistance programs and

BEIRUT 00000522 002 OF 002

share information and best practices. For example, State
officers worked with DOD colleagues to determine the best
type of CDM equipment to purchase or hold discussions on best
practices for end-use onitoring procedures between State and
DOD representatives for the 20 donated Dell desktops. Thiscooperation has empowered the relatively small embassy staff
managing 1207 to build on the strengths and expertise of
fellow Country Team members.

FINANCIAL STATUS
----------------

7. (U) Most of the appropriated $10 million in FY 06 has
been expended. Only $138,000, or 1.38 percent, has been
obligated but not yet expended.

-$4.1 million was expended for Civil Disorder Management Gear
for the ISF and all equipment and training has been provided.

-$2.8 million was expended for demining activities by the
Mine Advisory Group (MAG) and all equipment and training has
been completed.

-$2.2 million was expended for demining activities by the
contractor, RONCO, and all equipment and training has been
completed.

-$550,000 was expended for Investigative Analysis Equipment
for GS and all equipment has been provided and the training
will commence May 2008.

-$200,000 was expended for a Training Program and Curriculum
Development for the ISF and all training has been completed.

-$30,000 was expended for Physical Fitness Training Equipment
for the ISF and all equipment has been delivered.

-$138,000 was obligated to an Intellectual Property Rights
project in conjunction with the Lebanese Intellectual
Property Association (LIPA) and the program has yet to begin,
but will start in the next few months.
SISON

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