COLOMBIAN AIR FORCE C-26'S

UNCLAS BOGOTA 008475 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR INL/LP E.O 12358: N/A TAGS: SNAR PREL MOPS MASS PGOV CO SUBJECT: COLOMBIAN AIR FORCE C-26'S ¶1. Post has received a diplomatic note from the Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs requesting assistance in the use of the two Colombian Air Force C-26 aircraft that were modified by the United States Government (USG) for air interception and surveillance. ¶2. Funding for these aircraft is currently included in INL's Air Bridge Denial (ABD) program. The proposal is for the USG to fund operations, training, and maintenance while the Government of Colombia (GOC) funds fuel costs. Approximately 60% of the missions will be in support of ABD and approximately 40% for GOC counter-narcotics missions. Any events carried out by the C-26s involving aircraft suspected of illegal activity will be performed in accordance with the ABD Letter of Agreement. The ABD Citation aircraft will have priority over the C-26s in use of ABD facilities. ¶3. Post endorses this request and requests INL concurrence. The proposal will put to work two aircraft that have been grounded since March 2005 pending USG-GOC consultations on funding and mission. Having these aircraft available will expand the GOC's intelligence and surveillance capabilities and will free the ABD program's Citation from some of the surveillance/intelligence missions it currently must fly. The last ABD Certification Team recommended this approach for efficient use of the C-26s. ¶4. Post further requests INL advice on whether a USG reply via diplomatic note will suffice to ratify this agreement or whether a separate Letter of Agreement covering the C-26s is necessary. Wood