Cablegate: Exbs 2009 Program Plan for Afghanistan

VZCZCXYZ0007
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBUL #3720 3221801
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 181801Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3299

UNCLAS KABUL 003720

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC EINV KSTC MTCRE PARM PREL KSTC AF
SUBJECT: EXBS 2009 PROGRAM PLAN FOR AFGHANISTAN

REF: SECSTATE 112172

1. (U) Post concurs with reftel's proposed programming but
recommends modifications to three items:

--Cross Border training for Afghan, Tajik, Uzbek, and Turkmen
Customs officers at Towraghundi, Heratan, Shir Kan Bandar, Torkham,
and Islan Qalah: Security and lodging concerns at these locations
requires changing the training dates and identifying alternative
sites for training venues. EXBS Afghanistan will work with the EXBS
Advisors in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and the Border
Management Task Force (BMTF) to conduct the training at sites where
adequate security and lodging are available.

--Training room renovations at the Kabul International Airport and
Afghan Customs Department: The contracts for these two projects will
be postponed until March 2010 to allow EXBS sufficient time to
conduct assessments, draft a Statement of Work, and contract a
company to do the work.

--Afghan Customs Department training scheduled for 2009: All of the
Department of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection
(DHS/CBP) training slated for 2009 must be postponed into 2010. EXBS
has not received any projected dates from DHS/CBP for the training.
EXBS will require two months of lead time to organize participants
and venues.

2. (U) Post appreciates Department's support of the EXBS program.

EIKENBERRY

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