US embassy cable - 05BRUSSELS823

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 000823 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR INL/PC SCOTT HARRIS; UNVIE FOR HOWARD SOLOMON 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR, KCRM, PREL, EAID, EUN, USEU BRUSSELS 
SUBJECT: CENTRAL DUBLIN GROUP MEETING: FEBRUARY 2005 
 
REF: A) 04 USEU BRUSSELS 02683 B) STATE 32778 
 
 1.  Summary.   During its February 18 meeting, the members 
of the Central Dublin Group (DG) reviewed regional reports 
from Northern Africa (submitted by Spain), Other African 
Countries (France), the Caribbean (France), South America 
(Spain), and Central America/Mexico (U.S.).  The U.K. gave a 
presentation on Afghanistan's 2005 Counter Narcotics 
Implementation Plan.  The DG Chair presented a matrix 
containing key points of proposals submitted by the members 
for reform of the Dublin Group and asked that members convene 
on the sidelines of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in 
Vienna in March with their suggestions on changes to the DG 
Guidelines.  The chair will also be issuing an appeal for 
candidates for chairman of the Central DG, replacing Ray Yans 
who has been chair since 2002.  UDEL to the meeting included 
INL/PC Scott Harris, DEA attache Chris Kabel and USEU/NAS 
Frank Kerber.  End summary. 
 
Thematic Discussion on Afghanistan 
----------------------------------- 
 
2.  Keith Grieve, who substituted for Lesley Pallet of the 
U.K.'s FCO Department on Drugs and International Crime, gave 
a brief overview of Afghanistan's 2005 Counter Narcotics 
Implementation Plan.  (See reftel B)  He said the Afghan 
Government's Drugs Unit became operational on February 1. 
The UNODC rep noted indications are that the 2005 poppy 
cultivation will decline from the 130,000 MT produced in 2004 
and which accounted for almost 60% of GDP.  He said the UNODC 
is participating in the verification program, but is not part 
of the eradication program.  A letter from several NGOs to 
Secretary Rice dated January 31, 2005 on stemming 
 
SIPDIS 
Afghanistan's drug trade was circulated as a room document 
but was not commented upon by the members.  USDEL noted the 
extent of the Afghan heroin crisis: Afghanistan now supplies 
more than 85% of the world's heroin, morphine and opium.  The 
U.S. welcomes the Government of Afghanistan's commitment to 
overcoming these challenges, and to aid Afghanistan's 
efforts, the U.S. is committed to supporting a comprehensive 
range of assistance activities covering all aspects of the 
problem and promoting lasting change, including eradication; 
alternative livelihood programs; law enforcement programs; 
criminal justice assistance and public information campaigns. 
 The U.S. believes that the UNODC-administered Paris Pact is 
an effective mechanism for identifying areas for and 
coordination of international counter narcotics assistance 
across transit regions from Afghanistan, especially for 
Central Asia and the Balkans.  The UNODC rep announced that 
the next Paris Pact roundtable will be held in Islamabad 
March 21-22.  The Japanese rep noted that Afghanistan imports 
precursor chemical for drug production.  There is a need for 
greater border controls.  In response to a question from the 
EC representative regarding aerial spraying, USDEL responded 
that the U.S. will support the Afghan Government's decision 
to use manual eradication in conjunction with alternative 
livelihood development in 2005.  If this is not effective, we 
may need to consider alternative strategies. 
 
Regional Reports 
------------------ 
 
3.  The members reviewed regional reports from Northern 
Africa (submitted by Spain), Other African Countries 
(France), the Caribbean (France), South America (Spain), and 
Central America/Mexico (U.S.).  In presenting the report on 
Central America/Mexico, the U.S. rep noted that across the 
region, there are strong indications that domestic drug 
consumption is rising, particularly for cocaine and synthetic 
drugs.  Governments are clearly disturbed by this trend, and 
in some cases, domestic demand reduction and treatment 
programs are being expended.  This is a relatively new 
problem for governments in the region to confront, and such 
domestic efforts are beginning from a very low baseline. 
Donor assistance will be greatly in need for the foreseeable 
future.  Almost without exception, there are clear causal 
linkages between the prevalence of drug production and 
trafficking and the absence of state institutions.  Donors 
need to consider the development of law enforcement and 
judicial institutions as a vital, mainstream component of 
overall development strategies. 
 
4.  Spain and the U.S. agreed to keep the present regional 
chairs for another two years.  The U.S. rep noted a room 
document entitled "List of EU Projects in Russia, including 
HIV/AIDS" which had been distributed by the Commission.  He 
said this was a very helpful document and suggested the DG 
might produce similar compilations for other countries or 
regions.  The U.K. rep noted a roundtable on organized crime 
to be held in Addis Ababa on May 8-9, sponsored by the UNODC 
and the African Union.  The conference will examine the links 
between drugs and crime to development problems in Africa. 
 
Self Evaluation of the Dublin Group 
------------------------------------- 
 
5.  The DG Chair presented a matrix containing key points of 
proposals submitted by the members for reform of the Dublin 
Group.  Reform proposals had been submitted by the U.S., 
Japan, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Germany and the 
Commission.  The Chair asked that members convene on the 
sidelines of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna in 
March with their suggestions on changes to the DG Guidelines. 
 These texts will then be examined by a working group 
composed of the U.K,, the U.S., Italy and the Commission 
which will make final recommendations for consideration by 
the summer DG meeting.   The chair will also be issuing an 
appeal for candidates for chairman of the Central DG, 
replacing Ray Yans who has been chair since 2002. 
 
McKinley 
.