Embassy Kingston successfully coordinates the efforts of the federal agencies, accredited to Jamaica, with programs dealing with counternarcotics and law enforcement. The embassy should enhance its reporting and analysis of developments that are likely to affect Jamaica?s ability to offer meaningful cooperation in counternarcotics and law enforcement. Two major problems relating to the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs activities need to be resolved. First, a large pipeline of unexpended program funds should be reviewed and either used by the Jamaican government or withdrawn. Second, the embassy has been unable to provide verification of or account for much of the counternarcotics equipment given to the Jamaican
government over the years. The U.S. government acquired a hotel complex in Kingston for use as a chancery and clustered housing. However, the Jamaican government has not given any assurances that it would approve the use of the complex as a chancery. In addition, the embassy has not received funding needed to maintain and renovate the complex, and the complex has started to deteriorate. OIG recommended that the Department develop a long-range plan to renovate the complex and provide funding for additional staff or assign a facilities management specialist to monitor and maintain it.
American morale is low because of the rising crime rate and high cost of living. The embassy has a high incidence of curtailments by staff and difficulty recruiting people for vacancies. The charg? is leading an effort to address the morale problems. The Department had not yet funded the buy-back costs associated with the embassy?s supplemental retirement plan for FSNs. OIG recommended that the Department provide the funding.
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