US embassy cable - 04YEREVAN771

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000771 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/ACE PM/HDP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KHDP, PREL, AM 
SUBJECT:  MAINTAINING DEMINING OPERATIONS IN ARMENIA 
 
1. (U) Post is concerned about the future of USG- 
supported demining operations in Armenia.  Funding is 
running out, and we run the risk of losing this high 
value, high impact program.  We ask for the 
Department's cooperation in finding a way to maintain 
the demining program in Armenia. 
 
2. (SBU) The USG's humanitarian demining program, 
implemented in Armenia through Ronco, is a high-level 
success story for post.  One of the most visible parts 
of our security cooperation in Armenia, the program 
also commands the keen interest of the Diaspora 
community.  By not finding an immediate, creative 
solution to keep the minimum Ronco staff on the ground 
here in Armenia, we risk losing a valuable program with 
multiple years of in-country training and an excellent 
working relationship with GOAM officials. 
 
3. (SBU) The demining program improved dramatically in 
2003 under the new Ronco Chief of Party.  He possesses 
the negotiating skills and understanding of cultural 
nuances to effectively work with local authorities on a 
range of sensitive issues.  The knowledge he has 
obtained and the relationships he has created are 
invaluable resources that would require months -- if 
not years -- to replicate.  If we can build upon the 
progress made last year with the help of the Ronco 
Chief of Party, the Armenian Humanitarian Demining 
program will be in an excellent position to be self- 
sustaining in the near future. 
 
4. (SBU) Spring puts us right in the middle of the most 
productive part of the demining year in Armenia.  If we 
allow funding to run out and if Ronco pulls its staff 
at this point, we will have wasted a significant part 
of our mine clearing capabilities for 2004.  Post is 
coordinating with EUR/ACE to get USD 1.2 million to 
Ronco to fund demining for the next year.  Part of this 
funding came from FY '03 Performance funds and part 
will come out of Armenia's FY '04 FSA budget.  We 
recognize that bureaucratic realities make it difficult 
to transfer funds immediately, and therefore ask that 
the "bridge" funds (estimated by Ronco staff on the 
ground at USD 67,350 to keep the program running from 
April to June) be identified from whatever office as 
soon as possible. 
 
5. (SBU) Ronco has told us that this "bridge" funding 
of USD 67,350 would provide the following for the 
period of April-June 2004: 
--Chief of Party and advisors 
--Full demining company deployment 
--Housing, maintenance and training for 19 demining 
dogs 
--Support staff and administrative resources (reduced) 
 
6. (SBU) Ronco estimates that USD 22,450 of this 
"bridge" funding would be allocated per month as 
follows: 
--Ronco salaries:  USD 5,640 
--Phone bills:  USD 600 
--Rent for Ronco facilities:  USD 4,850 
--Field stipends:  USD 4,600 
--Supplies:  USD 2,400 
--Local staff salaries:  USD 2,500 
--Vehicle maintenance:  USD 1,600 
--Administrative costs:  USD 260 
 
7. (U) These amounts represent a small investment for a 
high-impact element of our Post's assistance projects. 
Post thanks the Department in advance for its help and 
asks that relevant offices keep us informed as 
discussions continue. 
WALKER