US embassy cable - 05YEREVAN554

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000554 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE, EUR/CACEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON, EAID, KPAO 
SUBJECT:  CONGRESSIONAL REQUEST FOR "HARM REDUCTION" 
DOCUMENTS 
 
REF: STATE 40264 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED -- PLEASE TREAT ACCORDINGLY 
 
1. (SBU) Per reftel instructions, Post has conducted a 
comprehensive search of documents related to "harm 
reduction," drug legalization and programs co-funded 
with the Soros Foundation and affiliated organizations. 
 
2. (SBU) The Embassy's search has not uncovered a 
single document that fits the criteria outlined in 
reftel.  The Embassy has found one internal memo, 
however, regarding the Open Society Institute that it 
is forwarding via CD-ROM to EUR/ACE for Department 
consideration. 
 
3. (SBU) USAID/Armenia has completed its search of 
electronic and paper files and can confirm that it has 
no materials related to any USAID/Armenia financing or 
support for "harm reduction" or drug legalization. 
USAID Mission files do, however, contain documents from 
AID/Washington sources or sources in other USAID 
Missions making reference to programs that fit the 
search criteria as outlined in reftel. 
 
4. (SBU) USAID/Armenia has found approximately 320 
documents with references to Soros Foundation or Open 
Society Institute.  We are placing these files on a CD- 
ROM for immediate DHL to USAID and State (EUR/ACE 
Eileen Smith) as an interim response to the action 
request.  Post will still need to review these 
documents to determine whether or not they relate to 
USAID involvement in, financing of, or support for 
programs also participated in by Soros or OSI.  Thus 
far, all those examined relate to Soros involvement in 
the education and democracy sectors, but our reading of 
the USAID/Washington tasker is that they must still be 
submitted regardless of subject matter.  If our 
interpretation is correct (please advise), they will 
have to be indexed and placed on CD ROMs for 
transmission to Washington in accordance with the 
instructions from USAID Deputy Administrator Schieck in 
his email message of March 24.  USAID estimates that it 
will take approximately four weeks to complete the full 
review and indexing procedure. 
EVANS