Cablegate: Action Request: Approval of Witness Protection

VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHWR #0519 1150922
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 240922Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY WARSAW
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6358

UNCLAS WARSAW 000519

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE PLEASE PASS TO INL/AAE TINA YOUNG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AFIN ABUD PL
SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: APPROVAL OF WITNESS PROTECTION
PROJECT UNDER THE 2002 LOA-PROJECT 3

1. This is an action request for INL/AE. Please see para 3-5.

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Background
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2. In November 2002, the U.S. signed a Letter of Agreement
(LOA) with the GOP on "Financing the Activities Aimed at
Preventing and Combating Crime in Poland." There were five
projects outlined pursuant to this agreement to support
these efforts. All projects, with the exception of Project 3
have been successfully completed. Project 3 aims to
improve Courtroom Security and Witness Protection through
training and procuring equipment and systems. According to
the LOA, a total of $122, 658 was allocated for Project 3.
Out of this amount $26,658 has already been spent for
training, and $96,000 has not yet been allocated. Post would
like to proceed with Project 3, and in paragraphs 3-5
has outlined a proposal for completing the project.

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Proposal for LOA - Project 3
-----------------------------
3. The equipment requested below is for the police unit
responsible for the transportation of witnesses and for
witness protection, including court room security. The unit
composed of approximately 40 people, transports witnesses
to and from court, but also protects them 24/7 if required
due to the seriousness of their testimony. Legatt and PolOff
have met with the team to discuss their needs, and strongly
support their updated proposal for Project 3. Poland already
has
metal detectors outside most of their courts (this was the
equipment initially listed in the LOA), however they do not
have
nor will they be able to obtain the equipment proposed below.
Post has discussed these details via email with INL and
thanks them in advance for their assistance.

4. Following is the proposed equipment, including the units
requested, cost and the manufacturer or distributor of the
equipment.

Light bulletproof vest (camouflage) class III w/2
ballistic panels (front & back) class IV
Pieces requested: 12
Cost per unit: 7,300.00 PLN ($ 3,230)
Total cost: 12 pieces: 7,300.00 x 12 pieces
= 86,400.00 PLN ($38,760)
Manufacturer: Rabintex or First Choice Armor

Ballistic protection in a suitcase
Pieces requested: 4
Cost per piece: 5,000.00 PLN ($ 2,212)
Total cost: 4 pieces x 5,000.00 PLN
= 20.000 PLN ($8,849)
Manufacturer: RABINTEX or FIRST CHOISE ARMOR

Thermo Vision Flash Sight
Pieces requested: 1
Cost per piece: 40,000 PLN ($17,700)
Manufacturer: U.S. company

3 generation night vision camera
Pieces requested: 2
Cost per piece: 18,000.00 PLN ($ 7,965)
Total cost: 2 x 18,000.00 PLN
=36,000 PLN ($15,930)
Distributor: DELTA OPTICAL Warszawa ul. Sienna 39;

Laser Range Finder Binoculars, e.g. 7x40
Pieces requested: 2
Cost per unit: 3,000 PLN ($ 1,328)
Total cost: 2 units x 3,000.00 PLN
= 6,000.00 PLN ($ 2,655)
Distributor: DELTA OPTICAL Warszawa ul. Sienna 39.

5. Post requests INL approval for the proposal outlined in
para 3 and 4. Please advise on how we should proceed.
If post should procure the requested equipment, please
obligate the funds to post.
ASHE

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