THRUSH AIRCRAFT SEARCHES FOR OPIUM POPPIES AMID

UNCLAS LIMA 002377

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR INL/LP, WHA/AND, DS/IP/WHA, DS/DSS/ITA; DEPT FOR
ONDCP FOR D GETTINGS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC SNAR EAID ETRD PGOV PE
SUBJECT: THRUSH AIRCRAFT SEARCHES FOR OPIUM POPPIES AMID
FUMIGATION ALLEGATIONS

REF: A) LIMA 2111
B) LIMA 1062


1. (U) SUMMARY: Cocalero leader Elsa Malpartida has renewed
the groundless rumors of GOP coca fumigation, this time
citing the presence of a U.S. Thrush surveillance aircraft.
To counter these allegations, the Mission continues a
concerted public affairs effort that included a tour of the
Thrush for journalists. The Mission is working to bring
experts together to try to reach some common conclusions as
to the extent of opium poppy. END SUMMARY.


2. U) Tingo Maria cocalero leader Elsa Malpartida traveled
to the Tingo Maria airport on 5/17 with lawyers and press in
tow, claiming that the U.S.-owned Thrush aircraft (Ref A)
was fumigating coca fields. (Note: the Interior Ministry
invited the Thrush to look for opium poppy fields. End
Note.)


3. (U) To preempt Malpartida's renewed fumigation claims
involving the Thrush, Embassy NAS and PAS supported a GOP
Interior Ministry-organized visit for press and Malpartida
to Tingo Maria on 5/19. The group was given a helicopter
flight to see the area that the Thrush has been surveying as
well as view the Thrush in flight.


4. (U) The visit resulted in significant coverage of opium
poppy production in Peru. An extensive article in leading
daily "La Republica" included photographs of the Thrush in
flight. While noting that the Thrush could conduct
fumigation operations, the article stressed the use in Peru
for surveillance only as well as the growing problem of
opium poppy cultivation and latex production. One reporter
remained after the tour to gather information for the more
extensive coverage of the opium problem in Peru, and it is
unclear where she obtained the information leading to her
headline describing an increase in opium cultivation to 2000
hectares in 2005, up from the GOP estimate of 1400 hectares
a year earlier.


5. (SBU) COMMENT: The misinformed reporter may have made
the poppy cultivation estimate by extrapolating from the
amount of latex seized this year, or from the GOP's CADA
agency maps. The reality is that no one knows the actual
area under cultivation. The objective of the Thrush flights
is to gather accurate, verifiable information on poppy
production. As of May 23, no poppy fields have been located
in the zones where the Thrush has done reconnaissance. On
claims of opium poppy increases, the Mission is working with
DEVIDA to set up a meeting, including counterdrug police
DIRANDRO and other knowledgeable parties, to try to draw
some common conclusions on the extent of opium poppy
cultivation - so far, all figures come from thin air. END
COMMENT.
STRUBLE