VZCZCXRO7664
OO RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHGB #3141 3381229
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 041229Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5627
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS BAGHDAD 003141
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR INL/I, NEA/I
JUSTICE FOR ODAG, CRM, OPDAT, ICITAP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KJUS PGOV PTER IZ
SUBJECT: SUSTAINED CORRECTIONS ADVISEMENT CRITICAL FOR
SUCCESSFUL COALITION SECURITY DETAINEE TRANSFER
REF: MANSO-INL/I E-MAILS
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The U.S. military will transition several
thousand mid-to-high threat coalition security detainees to
the Government of Iraq (GOI) in 2010. Task Force 134, which
is charged with detainee operations, stresses the need to
maintain a sufficient number of corrections advisors in
selected Iraqi Corrections Service (ICS) facilities
throughout the transition process to guarantee both Iraqi
institutional capacity and international human rights
standards. Current INL funding provides support to the
corrections mission through March 2011. As transition
benchmarks slip, there will be diminishing advisory support
and oversight on the ground during this crucial period.
Commanding General Multi-National Force Iraq (MNF-I) General
Odierno agrees that there is a continuing need for the
corrections mission and that MNF-I should provide about an
additional USD 8.8 million to fund it through January 2012.
Embassy requests that the Department consider funding the
remaining balance of roughly USD 4.4 million. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) This is an action request. Please see paragraph
four.
3. (SBU) TF 134 is scheduled to begin transitioning coalition
security detainees to the ICS in February 2010, a process
that was expected to conclude by August 2010. However, the
transition timeline is slipping due to GOI postponements
(septel). Currently, four corrections advisors support the
coalition facilities housing security detainees. TF 134 has
requested an additional nine corrections advisors to support
the transition through December 2011. Based upon initial
benchmarks, INL funding for the corrections mission extends
through May 2010, allowing for a reduced number of advisors
through March 2011. There is no apparent funding source to
meet TF 134,s request.
4. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: On November 19, the Ambassador and
General Odierno agreed on the need for continued and
increased ICS advisement and oversight at coalition
facilities through December 2011. The graduated drawdown of
corrections advisors through 2011 will require an estimated
additional USD 13.2 million. General Odierno agreed to seek
USD 8.8 million in FY2011. Post requests that the Department
fund the remaining USD 4.4 in FY2010 to provide adequate
support to the ICS during this critical period.
FORD