VZCZCXYZ0005
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHVN #0316 1080951
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 180951Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY VIENTIANE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1131
INFO RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY

UNCLAS VIENTIANE 000316 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MLS ED BESTIC, 
DEPARTMENT FOR PM/WRA (HUTCHENS/HARRIS) 
PACOM FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KHDP ECON PREL MASS LA
SUBJECT: SUGGESTED 2007 BUDGET ALLOCATIONS FOR LAOS UXO 
PROGRAM 
 
REF: HUTCHENS-ARCHIBALD EMAILS 4/10-4/17 2007 
 
¶1.  This is an action request.  Please see paragraph 6. 
 
¶2.  In 2006 PM/WRA requested post create suggested budgets 
for supporting the removal of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) in 
2007 based upon a number of scenarios.  One of those 
scenarios envisioned a 25% cut to the UXO budget for Laos in 
¶2007.  Recently, PM/WRA informed post there would in fact be 
a 25% cut in the 2007 budget. 
 
¶3.  Having examined PM/WRA's current plan for FY 2007 
funding, we see an opportunity to make minor changes to 
increase productive land clearance.  International Mine 
Awareness Day April 5th allowed post to highlight our current 
position as the largest UXO donor in Laos.  As there is a 
reasonably good chance we will lose this designation in 2007, 
maintaining visibility in the field becomes even more 
important. 
 
PM/WRA's planned FY 2007 budget 
 
Armor Group:                              $832,257 
MAG:                                      $248,520 
UXO Lao:                                  $932,847 
National Regulatory Authority (NRA), 
via Armor Group:                          $50,000 
World Education:                          $321,376 
Norwegian People's Aid (NPA), 
2 month extension:                        $165,000. 
Total:                                    $2,550,000 
 
¶4.  Post suggests the following budget: 
 
Armor Group:                              $756,676 
MAG:                                      $248,520 
UXO Laos:                                 $911,388 
NRA, via Armor Group:                     $58,004 
World Education:                          $298,142 
NPA 2 month extension:                    $167,105 
Swiss Foundation for Demining (FSD):      $110,125 
Total:                                    $2,550,000 
 
¶5.  Post believes our proposed budget has the following 
advantages: 
 
--It reallocates Armor Group's training budget to reflect 
current bureaucratic realities in Laos.  Unfortunately, Armor 
Group does not yet have a signed Memorandum of Understanding 
with the Government of Laos (GOL).  Until the MOU is signed, 
Armor Group is unable to provide training for the NRA and UXO 
Lao.  The 2006 "base year" budget for Armor Group included a 
budget for training.  In a declining resource environment, 
and without a signed MOU, it makes sense to push planned 2006 
training forward into 2007, and budgeted 2007 training into 
2008, at which point resources might not be as stretched as 
currently. 
 
--It funds the Swiss Foundation for Demining (FSD) through 
June 2008.  FSD recently signed its long-delayed MOU with the 
GOL and has begun work on its project in Sekong Province in 
support of the UN's World Food Program.  Having already paid 
the start-up costs for the project, it makes sense for us to 
continue funding FSD's on-the-ground clearance. 
 
--It increases our support for the National Regulatory 
Authority, an office post was instrumental in setting up to 
help oversee and improve UXO abatement in Laos. 
 
--It takes into account recent conversations with UXO Lao and 
World Education that indicated their ability to proceed with 
slightly lower levels of funding than in PM/WRA's current 
plan. 
 
¶6.  Action request:  Post requests PM/WRA reexamine its 
proposed funding in light of Embassy Vientiane's proposals in 
order to maximize UXO clearance in FY 2007. 
HASLACH