This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

141227Z Apr 06

UNCLAS ROME 001159 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR PM/PPA, S/CRS, EUR/ACE; NSC FOR CLINT WILLIAMSON 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPKO MARR MOPS PREL PGOV IT
SUBJECT: COESPU AT SIX MONTHS: MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS, U.S. 
STAFFING PROBLEMS 
 
REF: STATE 52470 
 
¶1.  Summary and Action Request.  The Center of Excellence for 
Stability Police Units (COESPU) in Vicenza, part of the 
larger Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) (a 
Presidential initiative), has trained 127 gendarme 
peacekeepers from six countries in its first six months.  New 
courses are set to start in May.  UNDPKO certifies the COESPU 
graduates, readiness and has proposed holding training 
courses for Formed Police Unit (FPU) commanders at the 
Center.  Before launching this initiative, the USG pledged to 
provide the deputy director for COESPU but has been unable to 
fill that position beyond May 2006, raising the possibility 
of a vacancy that will weaken Italian confidence in U.S. 
support and reduce U.S. influence over the project's future. 
Action Request: That the Department secure an interagency 
decision to ensure a suitable deputy director for COESPU by 
May 2006 (see paras 4 and 5).  End Summary and Action Request. 
 
Six countries already participating in COESPU 
--------------------------------------------- 
2 .  COESPU is a joint U.S.-Italian initiative launched by 
President Bush and Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi at the 2004 
Sea Island G-8 Summit.  The Center has completed its first 
round of courses for 127 gendarme peacekeepers from six 
countries committed to creating stability police units (SPUs) 
deployable in international peacekeeping operations.  On 
December 7, 2005, COESPU awarded High Level Course 
certificates to 29 trainees from India (8), Jordan (10), 
Kenya (6), Morocco (2), and Senegal (3).  On February 26, 
2006, COESPU finished its first Middle Management Course for 
mid-level officers, graduating 98 trainees from Cameroon 
(17), India (18), Jordan (30), Kenya (20), Morocco (3), and 
Senegal (10).  Italy and the U.S. (Reftel) have asked the six 
countries to submit more nominees for the next High Level 
course (May 16 ) June 16) and Middle Management course (May 
2 ) June 16).  In addition, the U.S. and Italy will soon 
expand their outreach beyond the initial group of six and 
invite more countries to develop internationally deployable 
SPU,s through COESPU,s train-the-trainer programs. 
 
COESPU links to the UN 
---------------------- 
¶3.  UNDPKO, which already certifies COESPU graduates as ready 
to participate in UN peacekeeping operations, has agreed to 
inspect and certify SPUs in country once they are formed. 
COESPU and UNDPKO have also established links between police 
and gendarme peacekeeping doctrine and training.  During 
March 13 ) 17, COESPU hosted the first UN Command 
Development Seminar offered to current commanders of UN 
Formed Police Units (FPUs) and their Police Commissioners. 
The seminar was attended by 58 FPU commanders, UN police 
commissioners, and deputy commissioners representing 25 of 
the UN,s 27 FPUs worldwide.  Working with COESPU staff, UN 
Police Chief Mark Kroeker and the police commanders produced 
a draft comprehensive doctrine for FPU formation and 
organization.  UNDPKO, which paid the bulk of the seminar's 
USD 250,000 cost, has proposed institutionalizing the seminar 
as a semi-annual FPU Commander's Basic Course required for 
all new UN FPU commanders. 
 
Critical Issue: Filling The U.S. Deputy Director Position 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
¶4.  COESPU risks going into the second round of courses with 
no U.S. personnel on its staff.  Italy strongly desires to 
have U.S. military personnel assume key planning and 
administrative roles alongside the 143 Italian Carabinieri at 
COESPU.  Since COESPU opened, the U.S. has designated two 
separate U.S. Army colonels on 90-day TDY assignments to 
serve in that position during the first courses.  The current 
TDY deputy director will begin 
out-processing on May 5 and is scheduled to depart COESPU on 
May 21.  The USG has not yet identified a replacement as 
USG-wide discussions about how to staff and fund this 
position in support of a Presidential initiative continue. 
 
Comment 
------- 
¶5.   U.S. staff participation in COESPU lends important 
credibility to the initiative in the eyes of current and 
future participants, ensures our commitment and influence in 
molding COESPU's future, and reinforces Italian confidence in 
the project.  Italian  Carabinieri and MFA officials at all 
levels underscore the importance of maintaining a visible, 
high-profile role for U.S. personnel.  Allowing the deputy 
director position to go unfilled would send a very 
unfortunate message to our Italian partners and to future 
COESPU students.  Reaching a solution to this outstanding 
issue before May 5 would maintain US staffing continuity at 
the Center and signal our resolve to continue supporting this 
already successful Presidential initiative. 
BORG