VZCZCXYZ0017
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHEK #0750/01 2041040
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 221040Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1227
INFO RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//J2/J5//
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 0072
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC//DHO
RHRMDAA/COMUSNAVCENT
RUEASRT/USATHIRD-3A G1 FT MCPHERSON GA

UNCLAS BISHKEK 000750 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KG
SUBJECT:  Country Team Assessment for 1206 Case B8-B-UDY Night 
Vision devices for Scorpion Special Forces Battalion 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED 
 
¶1.  (SBU) REASON FOR ARTICLE OR SERVICE:  The Special Operations 
Unit 52806 based in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan has been designated by the 
Ministry of Defense to perform the function of a rapid reaction 
force in the event of terrorist or other threats in southern Kyrgyz 
Republic.  The unit must be capable of quickly deploying from home 
base by land or air to the south to conduct counter-terror 
operations that could include hostage rescue and interdiction 
operations.  Night vision devices will provide Unit 52806 the 
ability to accomplish these missions at night in order to enhance 
flexibility and increase the probability of success. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) EFFECT ON THE RECIPIENT'S FORCE STRUCTURE:  Night vision 
devices are being requested as part of a package of training and 
equipment under the Section 1206 program for Unit 52806.  The 
package will include transportation, communication gear and mountain 
climbing and survival gear.  Training will be provided for the night 
vision devices as well as for the mountain and communications 
equipment. The effect of the night vision devices will be to add a 
night operations capability to the unit. 
 
¶3. (SBU) CONTRIBUTION TO U.S. AND RECIPIENT'S DEFENSE/SECURITY 
GOALS:  The delivery of this equipment will contribute to U.S. 
defense goals by enhancing Unit 52806 as an effective and responsive 
counter terror force that can respond to special situations in the 
southern parts of the country.  A trained and equipped Unit 52806 
will contribute to the security of the Kyrgyz Republic, an important 
ally and coalition partner, and also discourage the use of south 
Kyrgyz Republic as a transit base for terror groups or a safe zone 
to launch attacks against U.S. interests in the region. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) JUSTIFICATION FOR TYPE AND AMOUNT OF ARTICLES OR SERVICES 
REQUIRED:  Unit 52806 will have 200 special operations soldiers 
preparing, training or standing ready to conduct operational 
missions.  200 night vision devices will serve to outfit the entire 
unit for simultaneous training and operations.  The AN/PVS 7 night 
vision device provides basic night vision capability and serves the 
needs of the unit in multiple, flexible environments.  There are no 
compatibility issues with regards to the mounting of the AN/PVS 7 on 
Unit 52806's equipment.  Generation 2 2.5 Multipurpose NVG rifle 
scopes provide night vision capabilities in combat operations. 
 
¶5.  (U) COMBATANT COMMANDER'S ASSESSMENT:  To be provided 
separately. 
 
¶6.  (U) ANTICIPATED REACTIONS OF NEIGHBORING NATIONS:  The Kyrgyz 
Republic has good relations with its neighbors.  Neighboring nations 
will support an increase in the level of security within the Kyrgyz 
Republic. 
 
¶7.  (SBU)  ABILITY OF THE NATION TO ACCOUNT FOR, SAFEGUARD, OPERATE, 
MAINTAIN, AND SUPPORT THE ARTICLES:  The Ministry of Defense of the 
Kyrgyz Republic has agreed to secure the night vision devices in a 
manner commensurate with US military standards for storage, security 
and accountability.   They have also agreed to End Use Monitoring of 
these devices by a duly appointed representative of the US 
government as required by the Arms Export Control Act.  The 1206 
case should include funding for a training team to train unit-level 
and direct support level maintenance technicians.  The Kyrgyz 
Republic already has over 200 U.S. provided PVS-7Bs and complies 
with all requirements for accountability and support. 
 
¶8.  (U) TRAINING REQUIRED, AND REACTION ANTICIPATED FROM PRESENCE OF 
U.S. TRAINERS IN COUNTRY:  Training will include maintenance of 
night vision devices, which can be accomplished by sending select 
personnel to the United States for the required courses or a special 
MTT to train them in the Kyrgyz Republic.  Sending soldiers to 
courses in the U.S. and conducting MTTs are a normal part of 
military cooperation activities in the Kyrgyz Republic; reaction to 
the presence of U.S. trainers in the Kyrgyz Republic will be 
minimal. 
 
¶9.  (SBU) POSSIBLE IMPACT OF U.S. PRESENCE THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED IN 
COUNTRY:  The possible impact of U.S. presence will be minimal in 
the Kyrgyz Republic.  The U.S. military has conducted over fifty 
information exchanges and training events in the Kyrgyz Republic in 
fiscal year 2008 with no incidents or significant problems. 
 
¶10.  (U) SOURCE OF FINANCING AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE ACQUISITION: 
 Funds were reprogrammed from the Department of Defense operational 
budget through Section 1206 of the National Defense Authorization 
Act.    The economic impact of this transaction is minimal. 
 
¶11.  (SBU) HUMAN RIGHTS CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT TO THE ACQUISITIONS: 
 Human rights vetting will be conducted for all training as required 
by the Arms Export Control Act and will be periodically re-evaluated 
over time.   Unit 52806 is strictly a military unit belonging to the 
Ministry of Defense and has no internal policing functions in the 
country. 
 
¶12.  (U) PLAN FOR END USE MONITORING:  OMC Bishkek will conduct at a 
minimum a semi-annual 100% inventory and inspection night vision 
devices.  In addition, OMC will inspect all storage facility 
documents related to accountability of night vision devices.  When 
training teams are on hand, they will be tasked to inspect the night 
vision devices during the course of their duties as well as 
inspecting security procedures.  OMC will keep serial numbers for 
all night vision devices on file in case of theft or loss. 
 
¶13.  (U) RECOMMENDATION WHETHER THE USG SHOULD APPROVE TRANSFER OF 
THE ARTICLE AND JUSTIFICATION:  Highly recommend approval of the 
delivery of the requested night vision devices to the Ministry of 
Defense of the Kyrgyz Republic and Unit 52806. 
 
LITZENBERGER