US embassy cable - 05DARESSALAAM684

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 DAR ES SALAAM 000684 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR AF/FO 
 
E.O. 12958: 4/06/15 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, TZ 
SUBJECT: GWOT Assessment: Input from Dar es Salaam 
 
Classified by Charge d'Affaires Michael S. Owen for 
reason 1.4(d) 
 
REF: STATE 60775 
 
1.(S) US and Tanzanian law enforcement and 
intelligence officials have built a strong working 
relationship, forged in the immediate aftermath of the 
1998 al Qa'ida bombing of our embassy in Dar es 
Salaam.  Our most effective programs have built on 
that relationship while helping to increase the 
capacity of our Tanzanian counterparts through 
training and technical assistance.  Successful 
programs have focused on the Tanzanians' immediate 
concerns for improved law enforcement and border 
security.  These programs ensure that, in the event 
that the US, Tanzania and the region need to cooperate 
on a terrorism-related case, our Tanzanian 
counterparts will be competent, accustomed to joint 
operations, and committed to countering terrorism.   A 
summary of our top CT priorities follows.  Each 
program description includes a "straight line" budget 
scenario and a scenario that envisions a modest budget 
increase. 
 
--------------------------------- 
ILEA/ATA police training programs 
--------------------------------- 
 
(C) These programs should be continued, and expanded, 
if possible.  For several years, the mission has had 
an active program to train police in areas ranging 
from forensic investigation, post-blast investigation, 
and peaceful crowd control.  The police capacity has 
increased significantly, as has their readiness to 
cooperate with us on issues of local concern.  Given 
additional funding, RSO could launch a program to 
enhance land border control.  This would include 
training and technical assistance for law enforcement 
officers (including parks officials and game wardens, 
since many remote border areas are located in parks or 
game reserves.)  A complete land border control 
program would include training patrol units and 
equipping headquarters with radios, generators and 
vehicles suitable for patrolling rugged terrain. 
 
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PISCES 
------ 
 
(C) This program, which greatly enhances Tanzanian 
capabilities to monitor established border crossings, 
is very popular with law enforcement and immigration 
officials in Tanzania and throughout the region. 
Under the current program, five sites in Tanzania have 
received computerized equipment to capture data from 
entrants, training for officials in its use, and even 
electric generators where applicable.  The five sites, 
which include each of Tanzania's three international 
airports, the Zanzibar seaport and the Namanga 
crossing on the land border with Kenya, are now 
rapidly building their capacity to network and 
exchange data.  Tanzania introduced its machine- 
readable passport last month, adding to the system's 
capabilities.  Given a "straight line" budget, Mission 
would continue this program to network the existing 
PISCES sites.  Given additional funding, Mission could 
expand the number of ports of entry included in the 
program.  Over the longer term, as trust throughout 
the region increases, PISCES sites could be selected 
by a regional consortium, and networked on a regional 
or international basis. 
 
------------------------------------------ 
Counter-terrorism Joint Fellowship Program 
------------------------------------------ 
 
(C) Currently, the Mission is allotted 2-3 slots per 
year for Counter Terrorism training that ranges from 
two weeks to 18 month degree programs.  Considerable 
absorptive capacity remains, however since these slots 
can be allocated among members of the military, 
militias such as the KMKM "Zanzibar Coast Guard," and 
the police.  Mission could effectively handle double 
the current number of slots, in order to more quickly 
build up a group of counter-terrorism experts in law 
enforcement and the military who are familiar with 
American systems and accustomed to working with 
American personnel. 
 
---------------------- 
Intelligence exchanges 
---------------------- 
 
(S) ORCA enjoys generally good relations with its 
Tanzanian counterpart, the Tanzanian Intelligence and 
Security Service (TISS), and benefits from occasional 
exchanges of information.  This relationship could be 
further strengthened by continuing ongoing programs to 
train and professionalize TISS personnel.  Some old- 
line socialists remain in the organization, and could 
become more prominent depending on the outcome of the 
October 2005 elections.  ORCA may benefit from a post- 
election outreach program with the TISS to bolster 
trust in the US.  Given significant new funds and a 
long-term outlook, we could support a Fusion Center, 
in which counterparts from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, 
Djibouti and Comoros could exchange information and 
build regional ties. 
 
----------------------- 
Aviation Safety Program 
----------------------- 
 
(U) For several years, the Mission has worked closely 
with the TSA-FAA to install security equipment at 
Tanzania's three international airports, and to train 
airport security personnel in its maintenance and use. 
In 2002, we provided almost a million dollars worth of 
scanners, x-ray machines and wands to these three 
airports, all of which have become visibly more 
secure.  Training programs continue.  Recently, a Dar- 
based Dutch diplomat inquired about prospects for 
cooperation between the US, the EU, and Tanzania on 
aviation security.  We anticipate reviving our multi- 
country Aviation Safety Committee, originally 
established through the CTAG, to explore new programs 
to improve aviation security, and to spread the costs 
among various interested parties. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
Treasury Office of Technical Assistance: Anti-Money 
Laundering Regime 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
(U) Since 2002, teams of experts from Treasury OTA 
have conducted training and facilitation sessions with 
their Tanzanian counterparts in the Finance Ministry, 
banking sector and law enforcement agencies.  Tanzania 
is on the verge of realizing an intermediate goal of 
this program:  we expect Parliament to table 
comprehensive anti-money laundering legislation during 
its April session.  The Mission seeks to continue this 
program at least at its current level, so that OTA can 
continue working with its Tanzanian counterparts to 
strengthen the financial regulatory system after 
Parliament approves the enabling legislation.  The 
ultimate goal is the establishment of a Financial 
Investigation Unit (FIU) which can effectively 
investigate and prosecute financial crime, including 
terrorist finance. 
 
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Self Help 
--------- 
 
(C) This small grants program, funded through 116 (e), 
is one of our most effective Muslim outreach programs. 
These small projects generally originate from a 
community's initiative and invariably provide the most 
bang for the buck of all our programs.  Not only does 
Self Help enable us to do something tangible to assist 
impoverished communities and to build good will for 
the United States, the program also provides embassy 
personnel with a reason to travel to some of the most 
far-flung areas of the country, and establish a bond 
with local officials and community leaders.  This is 
particularly important in the light of the GOT closure 
- at our behest - of several foreign Muslim NGOs that 
were also doing community development projects. 
Historically, we have received USD 50,000- 60,000 
annually for this program.  However, in FY 04, we 
received over USD 250,000 for Self Help; through the 
East African Counter Terrorism Initiative.  The last 
of the 29 projects from that windfall year, including 
school dormitories and libraries, rural water 
projects, and weaving cooperatives, are nearing 
successful completion.  Embassy Dar has a demonstrated 
capacity to administer a much larger Self Help 
program, and we would welcome an opportunity to do so 
again. 
 
OWEN