CSI - FAVORABLE CARTAGENA ASSESMENT

UNCLAS BOGOTA 008412 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD SNAR PTER CO SUBJECT: CSI - FAVORABLE CARTAGENA ASSESMENT ¶1. Summary: The Port of Cartagena impressed visiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials, and the joint team will recommend that the port be accepted as a Container Security Initiative (CSI) facility. End Summary. ¶2. On August 30-Sept. 2, a CBP Container Security Initiative team, invited by Colombian Ambassador Luis Alberto Moreno, visited Cartagena to assess the feasibility of establishing a CSI program at the city's private port facilities. In addition to the assessment, the team met with military and law enforcement officials, local business leaders, and security managers from Colombia's other private port concessions. -------------- Elements of Cartagena's Favorable Assessment -------------- ¶3. The favorable assessment of Cartagena by the CSI team was based on the following factors: -- In terms of the volume of container traffic to the U.S., Cartagena ranks 68 out of 600 international ports. -- Cartagena is strategically located near the U.S., on the north coast of Colombia. -- The Port Society of Cartagena is in the process of identifying and purchasing a non-intrusive inspection system (container-sized x-ray or gamma scanner). -- The port facilities (office space/computer systems) and security situation in Cartagena would allow for the permanent deployment of the five-person CSI team. -------------- Next Steps -------------- ¶4. The CSI team will pass its assessment report to the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, who, according the CSI team leader, will likely approve the recommendation to bring CSI to Cartagena. The USG would then begin negotiations with the GOC on a Declaration of Principles (DOP),an agreement which will formalize the bilateral cooperation associated with the CSI program. If the negotiations move forward as planned, the CSI program could be up and running in Cartagena within 6-8 months. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶5. While the main focus of the CSI is to screen cargo containers for materials related to terrorist threats against the United States, the GOC expects the program will assist the Colombian National Police in its fight against drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. The large-scale scanning system envisioned by the Port of Cartagena will reduce inspection times drastically, and make the inspections more effective. In addition, CSI screening in country will reduce wait times for some cargo containers by up to two weeks. All of this adds up to a competitive advantage for Cartagena, should it become a CSI port. Officials from other private ports in Colombia, especially the Port of Buenaventura, expressed concern over this potential advantage. The Embassy fully supports the recommendation that Cartagena participate in the CSI program. WOOD