PRESIDENTIAL SECURITY PROGRAM MISSION STATUS REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 003492

SIPDIS

SECSTATE WASHDC PASS TO 7980

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PTER
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL SECURITY PROGRAM MISSION STATUS REPORT

1) Presidential Protection Detail (PPD) - President Uribe
slowed down his travel schedule during March 2004. He did
take a trip to the United States from March 22-25, where he
met with President Bush as well as Secretary of Defense
Rumsfeld and Senator Leahy. President Uribe was accompanied
by Minister of Defense Uribe and Minister of Commerce Botero.

2) On March 30, 2004, U.S. Security Advisors had a brief
meeting with President Uribe. He conveyed that he is
"infinitely grateful" for all the support the U.S.
Government, the U.S. Embassy and the Security Advisors are
affording his administration.

3) On March 12, 2004, U.S. Security Advisors met with Colonel
Mauricio Santoyo, Chief of PPD. Col. Santoyo began the
meeting requesting that we proceed with the construction of
bunkers at Presidential residences in Medellin and Monterria.
U.S. Advisor Dorsch subsequently spoke with Embassy
architect Ochoa and she is proceeding accordingly. It is to
be determined whether the bunkers will be subterranean or
aboveground.

The placement of the two radio repeater towers donated by the
U.S. Embassy was discussed. It was originally proposed to
install them in Cartagena and Medellin. Col. Santoyo
requests they be placed in Monterria and Medellin. U.S.
advisors concur based on the already-established
radio/repeater network in Cartagena.

Col. Santoyo conveyed that he would send up to 100 detail
agents through a basic VIP Protection Training Course if it
were offered by the U.S. Embassy/U.S. Security Advisors here
in Bogota. He conveyed that there have been some transfers
as well as new additions to the details of the President, the
First Lady and the children. He also requested an advanced
course for his five teams of Advance Agents.

Finally, Col. Santoyo, when asked what equipment the
Presidential Protection Detail was still lacking, stated that
the acquisition of six mine detectors, to be used by Advance
Agents, would be a great asset to the protection of President
Uribe. U.S. Advisor Dorsch put in the request that day.

4) Vice Presidential Protection Detail - The windows of the
Vice Presidential farm in Tenjo were covered with Mylar
anti-blast film. In addition, U.S. Advisor Delp conducted a
routine security survey of the area and assessed that all was
OK.

5) Mayor of Bogot Protection Detail - On March 5, 2004, the
second group of protection agents completed the basic VIP
Protection Course. The students were enthusiastic, extremely
appreciative and, for the most part, worked well together and
truly strengthened their sense of teamwork.

6) On March 12, 2004, U.S. Security Advisors met with General
Garcia and Colonel Coba, Chief of Diplomatic Police and the
individual to whom the Agent in Charge of the Mayor's
security detail reports. Mayor Garzon's Agent in Charge,
Captain Baron, was the main topic of conversation. There is a
lot of dissension and morale issues amongst the security
agents and it appears to stem from the management style of
Captain Baron. His lack of leadership skills was discussed
and U.S. Advisor Delp conveyed his commitment to work closely
with Captain Baron to attempt to improve the issues at hand.

Two representatives from the Diogenes Corporation were also
present at this meeting. The Diogenes Corporation is the
company contracted to administer the Voice Stress Analysis
(VSA) exams to the Mayor's protection detail. The results of
the VSA were discussed and specifics were given for the high
rate of failure of the test of the Mayor's security agents.

7) On March 18, 2004, an armored level V 2004 Ford Explorer
was donated to Mayor Garzon. U.S. Security Advisor Delp was
present, along with Mayor Garzon and the protection detail.

8) Minister of Defense Protection Detail - Minister of
Defense Uribe had a very active travel schedule during the
month of March 2004. Besides his trips to Cartagena, Tolima,
Medellin and other areas of Colombia, he also traveled to
Washington, DC twice as well as to Lima, Peru. On all trips
outside of Colombia, he was unaccompanied by any member of
his security detail.

9) On March 26, 2004, U.S. Security Advisor Wilkas met with
MOD Uribe regarding the status of his security/security
detail. Minister Uribe stated that he is "supremely
grateful" for all of the support the U.S. Embassy and the
Security Advisors have given to his protection detail.

Minister Uribe spoke about the success of his trips to
Washington, D.C., particularly the second trip when he
accompanied President Uribe on March 22, 2004.

Minister Uribe conveyed his appreciation for putting eight
members of the security detail through VIP Protection
training, particularly the Agent in Charge (AIC),Major
Romero. He also conveyed his enthusiasm to have the rest of
the security detail members trained in the same program.

Finally, Minister Uribe invited U.S. Advisors to come to his
residence in Medellin to look at the property and do a
security assessment. He conveyed that he feels safe in
Medellin but that he would like our opinion.

10) During the VIP Protection Training Course, which took
place from February 23, 2004 - March 5, 2004, there were four
graduates from the Ministry of Defense. They were excellent
students and conveyed that they took with them many new
tools. Seeing them at the Ministry of Defense the following
week, they approached U.S. Security Advisors with smiles on
their face, proud to convey that they were putting into
practice many of the concepts from the two-week training
session.

11) On February 27, 2004, O'Gara-Hess conducted a 15-hour
surveillance detection course for the newly formed
Surveillance Detection team, comprised of four individuals
from Minister Uribe's protection detail. This course was
specifically designed around the Minister of Defense - his
residence, his office and places he most frequents. The
report back from the course instructors and students conveyed
that the students performed very well and that it was an
excellent course. Again, prior to this date, the MOD
Surveillance Detection team consisted of only one individual.

12) The AIC for the MOD's Protection Detail will be out of
the country from April 5, 2004 until April 30, 2004. He is
leaving his responsibilities in the hands of Major Alfonso
Vega. On March 26, 2004, this U.S. Protection Advisor met
with Major Vega for a "meet and greet" and express support
and assistance during his four-week .
WOOD