Letter of Agreement of Narcotics Control between

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 LIMA 003419 SIPDIS INL FOR MATANO; WHA FOR MONSERRATE, BISCHOFF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR PREL PGOV PE SUBJECT: Letter of Agreement of Narcotics Control between the USG and the GOP REF: 04 Lima 4638 ¶1. Post has completed discussions with the GOP on the text for an amendment to the 1996 Operating Agreement for the Project for Control of Narcotics last amended in September 2004 (Reftel). The amendment would incorporate Fiscal Year 05 funds in the amount of 57,932,000 dollars. We have agreed to a one-year continuation of the 1996 Operating Agreement until September 30, 2006. The manner of concluding the agreement would be an exchange of diplomatic notes. The diplomatic notes would incorporate into the Operating Agreement the amendments whose text is provided in this message. The bilateral umbrella Agreement To Combat the Illegal Use, Illicit Production and Trafficking of Drugs Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Peru would remain in force as specified in Article IX of that Agreement. ¶2. Post requests Authorization to sign the Letter of Agreement (LOA) and that INL provide the appropriate fiscal data. ¶3. Text of the Diplomatic Note: The Embassy of the United States of America presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Relations of the Republic of Peru and has the honor to propose amending the 1996 Operating Agreement for the Project to Control of Narcotics, as amended in September 2004, in the following manner: Article III: Replace the language with the following text: SPECIFIC PROJECTS & MEASUREMENT CRITERIA Specific projects and their respective goals and measures of performance for Fiscal Year 2005 funds provided by the USG are contained in the Annex which is part of this amendment that describe this year's activities. For the period from October 1, 2005 to September 30, 2006 the targets and measures of performance for this LOA will be the following: (1) Coca Reduction: The goal of this project is to reduce the number of hectares of coca under cultivation through eradication of illegal coca to 27,000 hectares. The Crime and Narcotics Center (CNC) of the Government of the United States of America is responsible for measuring progress toward this goal. (2) Police counter-narcotics enforcement: The goal of this project is to develop police operations to combat illicit drug trafficking and associated crimes, to eradicate opium poppy and its by-products and to support eradication of illegal coca cultivation. Criteria for measuring progress toward this goal shall be the increased presence of Peruvian law enforcement authorities in drug-growing regions with a concurrent increase in law enforcement operations; the dismantling of drug trafficking organizations, increased arrests of drug traffickers, and greater seizures of illegal weapons, illicit drugs, precursor chemicals and goods as a result of these operations. Funds will be used by Peruvian institutions to implement the Chemical Control Law approved by Peru's Congress in 2004 through the establishment of checkpoints on major roads and a mobile unit that will operate in the drug producing zones. One goal will be an increase in arrests of drug traffickers and seizures of chemicals. Another goal shall be to increase the number of PNP DIRANDRO troops deployed in drug production zones from a baseline of 570 troops in 2004 to 1350 troops in 2006. A third police academy shall be opened in Ayacucho in 2006. 3) Counter-narcotics Police Aviation Support: The goal of this project is to optimize the operating capability of the anti-drug units of the PNP Aviation police. The criteria for measuring progress toward this goal is the number of counter- drug missions undertaken in cooperation between the PNP Aviation Police (DIRAVPOL) and the anti-narcotics police (DIRANDRO). Another goal is to use 24 UH-2 helicopters that have or will be turned over to the PNP during the term of this amendment for eradication and interdiction missions. With the increase of the PNP helicopter fleet by 8, the number of flight hours will increase from 5,000 to 7,200 hours. (4) Prosecutions by the Public Ministry: The goal of this project is to train senior prosecutors throughout Peru and integrate the prosecutors that they supervise into anti-drug operations. The measurement criteria shall be the increase in the participation of prosecutors to support counter-drug operations. (5) Demand Reduction: The goals of this project are to halt the increase in drug abuse and, in the longer term, to reduce the incidence of drug abuse in Peru; to increase popular support for effective action against narcotics production and trafficking; and to protect youth from the dangers of drug abuse through community activities. Criteria for measuring progress toward this goal include a reduction in the number of drug-abusers; results of public opinion surveys that measure changes in public sentiment toward the production and trafficking of drugs; community activities to protect the population from drug sales in their neighborhoods; and the reduction in public tolerance of narcotics production and trafficking. (6) Policy and Institutional Development: The goal of this project is to strengthen the process of counter-drug policymaking and its implementation within the Peruvian Government. Criteria for measuring progress towards this goal are set forth in Peru's National Strategy for the Fight Against Drugs. Another measure will be progress by the GOP in implementing its anti-money laundering laws and anti- corruption programs related to narco-trafficking. (7) Airports and Seaports: The goals of this project are to interdict the flow of illicit drugs, people suspected of drug trafficking, illegal weapons and illicit precursor chemicals passing through airports, seaports and lakes to/from Peru. A key element of this project is to establish fully functioning Manifest Review Groups and canine teams in 2006 at Jorge Chavez International Airport, and in the ports of Callao, Paita, and in two other ports to be determined by mutual agreement. The target for measuring progress towards this goal will include the number of cargo manifest reviews, inspections and operations conducted by Peruvian Coast Guard, Customs, and Police units. Another goal is to establish a capability at Jorge Chavez airport to inspect air cargo that is suspected of containing narcotics or other contraband. Article XI, point a. Replace the language with the following text: This Operating Agreement will continue in effect until October 1, 2006, unless the Parties decide to extend it. Replace the language in Annex 2 of the Operating Agreement with the following text: Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS) Programs in Peru with FY 2005 Funds ($57,932,000) Law Enforcement Support, ($18,400,000) The goal of this project is to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Counter-narcotics Police in Peru (PNP - DIRANDRO) in order to seize chemicals and illicit drugs. A significant number of law enforcement operations are planned during the term of this Amendment in the major coca-growing valleys as well as in the transit zones, to interdict illicit chemicals and drugs. These operations are essential to discourage these activities including the cultivation of coca. These operations will be conducted in the air, on land and on rivers and along the coast, and will include road stops and the use of canines. Funding will be used to provide training and field exercises for DIRANDRO troops to enhance their capabilities to conduct operations, as well as to provide security for CORAH eradication teams. These enhanced law enforcement efforts will require additional vehicles, communications equipment, field gear, emergency/safety reaction gear, and drug detector dogs. These funds will also be used to support basic police training academies in Santa Lucia and Mazamari as well as the training at WHINSEC. The FBI, DEA and other institutions will also conduct training. The funds will also be used to provide DIRANDRO with necessary infrastructure at police bases in the Huallaga and Apurimac/Ene Valleys. The funds will also be used to enlarge the Special Operations Unit of DIRANDRO. Aviation Police Support, ($18,517,000) Aviation support for law enforcement covers operating and maintenance costs for the National Police Aviation Division (DIRAVPOL). It provides funding for pilots, aircrews, and support personnel for up to 24 USG-owned helicopters and 2 fixed wing aircraft, which will be used to support coca eradication and law enforcement actions. Funding will be used to support the counter-narcotics operations of the USG- owned helicopters, providing fuel, maintenance, hangars, aircraft rental and operational support for DIRAVPOL personnel. Funds will be used to acquire and operate an additional C-208 aircraft that can carry out transport and reconnaissance missions. Riverine and Port Security Support, ($992,000) The goal of this project is to strengthen Peruvian capabilities to conduct counter-narcotics law enforcement operations at Peru's seaports and airports. These funds will be used to strengthen the capabilities of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the Peruvian Coast Guard, the National Port Authority, Peruvian Customs and the Peruvian National Police to carry out operations against drug trafficking and related crimes. The Port Security Project will support the activities of Manifest Review Groups to examine cargo manifests in the Port of Callao, at the Jorge Chavez International Airport and at three additional Peruvian ports to identify cargo containers suspected of containing contraband. Funds will also be used to maintain USG-provided riverine infrastructure and facilities and provide support to Peruvian institutions for counter-narcotics activities designed to disrupt and dismantle illegal trafficking. A third objective is support the Peruvian government authorities that undertake counter- narcotics operations in Peru's coastal waters. Six 40-foot Sea Ark boats will be used to intensify port security and carry out patrols and the inspection of vessels suspected of carrying contraband. Coca and Opium Poppy Eradication, ($7,640,000) The objective of eradication efforts is to reduce the amount of coca leaf destined for drug trafficking as well as to eliminate coca being grown in national parks and other areas protected by the State of Peru. Funds will also be provided to DIRANDRO to provide security protection to CORAH eradication operations. CORAH will also support programs that identify and eradicate opium poppy that will be carried out by DIRANDRO. Funding will support CORAH to build, improve and/or maintain facilities used by the PNP and the military that are involved in counter-narcotics operations. Support to the Armed Forces, ($2,140,000) The Peruvian Air Force will use funding to support counter- narcotics operations. These funds may be used to improve facilities, for construction, operational costs and aircraft modifications, communications equipment, fuel and refueling facilities and training. Peruvian Customs, ($1,500,000) The purpose of this project is to support the Customs Service, a component of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, which is responsible for the control and inspection of cargo arriving and departing Peru through its ports and borders at airports and maritime terminals. Funds will be used to support expanded Customs operations at Jorge Chavez International Airport to improve the control and inspection efforts directed against drug trafficking via air cargo. Crop Monitoring and Research, ($3,970,000) CADA (Coca Survey and Verification) is a branch of CORAH. CADA prepares maps, and monitors the amount of coca and opium poppy being grown in Peru in order to measure the growth trends, identify areas for eradication and to verify the extent of coca reduction. It also supports and verifies gradual and concerted reduction of coca eradicated voluntarily. Initially founded to track the reduction of coca in certain areas where there were Alternative Development programs, CADA has expanded its coverage to all coca-growing zones. The measurement of coca and the verification of crop reductions that CADA undertakes is a key component to the gradual and concerted reduction of the coca crop. This project will also be used to support the Tropical Crop Institute (ICT),whose task is to provide research and extension services for alternative crops to coca that form part of the Alternative Development program. This project will continue to undertake activities designed to raise the profitability of alternative crops in alternative development areas. The ICT will provide agricultural extension services with a variety of training and technical assistance programs to farmers who stop growing coca. Administration of Justice/Prosecutors, ($1,685,000) Funds will be used to support prosecutors with the Public Ministry of the Peruvian Government that have jurisdiction to intervene in operations directed against drug trafficking and related crimes. This project will provide training and support to Public Ministry prosecutors working in drug growing and drug transit zones. Funds will be used to provide equipment and to support prosecutors working outside of Lima. Money Laundering and Anti-Corruption Programs ($496,000) Funds will be used to strengthen the operational capability of Peruvian government institutions that have responsibility for money laundering and combating corruption related to drug trafficking. The goal is to increase their ability to carry out investigations for reference to the Public Ministry. A portion of these funds will be provided to the Financial Intelligence Unit of Peru to strengthen its technical capacity in combating money laundering. The remaining funds will be used to support other institutions that develop programs directed against money laundering and corruption related to drug trafficking. Chemical Diversion Control, ($124,000) The purpose of this project is to reduce the availability of chemicals that could be diverted to make illegal drugs. These funds will be used to finance activities to implement the Chemical Control Law 28305 and its regulations. The funds will be used to support the Ministry of Interior - DIRANDRO, Customs, and the Public Ministry to develop national training programs for authorities in the legal, technical and enforcement aspects of chemical control. Funds will also be used to rehabilitate a computer-based registry for the chemicals industry and users. Resources will also be used to establish chemical controls checkpoints on the major roads connecting Lima to the source zones using a mobile unit. Institutional Development, ($248,000) The purpose of this project is to strengthen the capacity of DEVIDA to fulfill its mandate to coordinate the implementation of GOP drug policy set forth in the National Strategy to Fight Drugs. Funds will be used to support development of national drug control policies and to enhance communication and coordination between the various GOP agencies involved in the counter-narcotics effort. Another goal is to promote multilateral and bilateral coordination of counter-narcotics programs. Drug Awareness/Demand Reduction, ($1,585,000) The program is directed at supporting the Ministry of Education and other state institutions, the Municipal Council and other civil society entities that operate drug demand reduction and prevention programs through public relations and community action activities that include: - conducting surveys on drug abuse to identify groups requiring assistance, - meetings and other activities related to demand reduction and prevention - promotion of community coalitions to protect vulnerable populations from drug trafficking and consumption. Public Relations/Media Engagement, ($635,000) This project is designed to fund information campaigns compatible with the National Strategy to Fight Drugs about the problems and incidence of the illegal drug trade in Peru. NGO partners selected to inform the Peruvian public about the dangers of narcotics trafficking will use funding to continue supporting efforts. Funds will also be used to raise public media's awareness of and engagement in the fight against drugs and related crimes. ¶3. If your Government agrees with this text, the Embassy proposes that this note together with its reply, signaling that the above text is accepted, would constitute an agreement between our Governments that will enter into effect from the date of the reply. Complimentary closing End text of Diplomatic note STRUBLE