R 061631Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8696
UNCLAS OTTAWA 001417
FOR M/PRI AND WHA FROM THE AMBASSADOR
DEPT PASS TO DHS - COAST GUARD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AODE AMGT KMRS CA
SUBJECT: NSDD 38 - Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United
States Coast Guard Request to Establish a Coast Guard Liaison
Officer Position in Ottawa, Canada
REF: A) NSDD-38 CASE NUMBER DHS-CAN-70905-10152008
1. The Embassy has received the NSDD-38 request from the Department
of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard (USCG) to establish
an 0-4 Coast Guard Liaison Officer billet at the Royal Canadian
Mounted political (RCMP) Headquarters in Ottawa. The Chief of
Mission approves the establishment of this position. Filling this
position will constitute explicit acceptance of USCG's
responsibility to pay ICASS charges outlined herein and your
acceptance of Chief of Mission authority over this position. As
such, he/she is required to keep the Ambassador fully and currently
informed with respect to all activities and operations in accordance
with the Ambassador's letter of instructions and 22 U.S.C. 3927. In
the absence of a USCG-charged Attache accredited to the Embassy, the
person encumbering this position will report to the Ambassador and
DCM through the DHS Attache assigned to Embassy Ottawa. Current
USCG staffing in Ottawa is zero. (There is currently a USCG Attach
position in the Chancery but it is not charged to USCG, rather to
the Defense Attach office.) With this approval, staffing level for
USCG will be one American officer.
2. Post would like to advise Coast Guard that all agencies are
required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with regard to
subscription of ICASS services. Coast Guard will need to sign an
ICASS agreement for the services to be provided upon arrival at
post. Cost center descriptions may be found at www.icass.gov in the
ICASS Handbook link, section H-340.
ADMINISTRATIVE ICASS SUPPORT COSTS:
3. Coast Guard must agree to pay all security-related costs and
support future Ottawa ICASS budgets proposed and approved by the
local ICASS Council. The following are estimated current annual
ICASS costs for one position located outside the chancery:
Basic package: $1,209
Health Services: $239
CLO: $500
Shipping and Customs: $1,100
Mail and Messenger: $544
Overhead: $54
ICASS Redistribution: $1,897
TOTAL: $5,845
OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE AND SECURITY ISSUES:
4. DIPLOMATIC OR ADMINISTRATIVE/TECHNICAL STATUS: Post would like
to advise Coast Guard that approval of this NSDD-38 does not
automatically confer diplomatic status. All requests for diplomatic
titles must be submitted by Coast Guard to the Titles and Rank
Office in the State Department's Bureau of Human Resources. If a
diplomatic title is not required, or not approved, the incumbent
will be announced to the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Foreign Trade (DFAIT) as Administrative and Technical Staff (A).
In Ottawa, all personnel (diplomatic or A) enjoy the same
privileges and immunities.
5. Security Briefing: All American personnel transferring to an
overseas location under Chief of Mission authority must complete
appropriate overseas personal security training prior to their
travel. This applies to all American personnel performing extended
(more than 30 days) TDY travel as well. Employees may take the
Department of State's Foreign Service Institute (FSI) approved
minimum four-day training course "Serving Abroad for Families and
Employees" (S.A.F.E.). Agencies may choose to provide their own
equivalent training if it has been certified by the State
Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security. All personnel must
certify that training for covered employees will be completed prior
to travel. Additionally, the employee will need to complete the
Embassy security briefing as part of the check-in process.
6. Pre-arrival and Check-In: Coast Guard must announce the
assignment of all new employees and their accompanying family
members to U.S. Embassy Ottawa well in advance of arrival. All
employees are required to check-in with the Embassy Human Resources
Office (HRO) as soon as possible after arrival in Ottawa. Personnel
should contact the HR Office at 613-688-5264 to make an
appointment.
7. With regard to typical allowance entitlements at post, please
refer to the following website: www.state.gov/m/a/als/.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
8. ICASS/Financial Issues: Kemp Long/Carolyn Paquette in the
Financial Management Office (613-688-5282);
Security Issues: Kevin Flanagan, RSO (613-688-5390);
General post information: KarenKay Hall or Rachel Hecker, Community
Liaison Officers (613-688-5274 or 613-688-5403);
HR Issues: Patricia Duffy, HRO (613-688-5265).
RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS FROM M/R:
9. Q1: Is the need for the proposed staffing change reflected in the
most recent MSP?
Yes. This position was included in the FY 2009 MSP but perhaps
inadvertently left off Table C, new position requests. The position
supports the Mission Strategic Plan goal 1: Modern Efficient, Secure
Border. Key priorities include enhancing the security of
U.S./Canadian border and promoting law enforcement cooperation.
Q2: If the agency proposes to add staffing based on workload, are
there other resources already present at post that are performing or
could perform the function?
No.
Q3: Could the function be accomplished through the use of TDY,
Foreign National, contract or other local-hire personnel?
No. The incumbent will represent the U.S. Coast Guard, one of the
five USG and Canadian Government law enforcement agencies that
signed the Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) Charter to
further law enforcement cooperation along the U.S. Canadian border.
Ongoing liaison with partner law enforcement agencies and Canadian
officials is required and therefore the duties cannot be
accomplished from the United States or through the use of TDY,
contract of other personnel.
Q4: Identify the specific administrative support, space and funding
arrangement that have been made for the increase in staffing.
The position will be located at the RCMP (outside the Embassy) so no
space arrangements are required. ICASS support and charges are
detailed in para 3.
Q5: Do the benefits of increasing staff outweigh the inherent
security risks associated with additional personnel?
Yes. The establishment of the position will strengthen U.S./Canada
relations and support our key goals - enhancing the security of our
border with Canada and closing the gap in law enforcement
cooperation.
WILKINS