EL SALVADOR: HUMAN RIGHTS OMBUDSWOMAN ACCUSED OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 002542

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ES
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR: HUMAN RIGHTS OMBUDSWOMAN ACCUSED OF
FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES

REF: A. SAN SALVADOR 321


B. SAN SALVADOR 547

Classified By: DCM Michael A. Butler, Reasons 1.4 (b, d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: The Ombudswoman for Human Rights (PDDH)
Beatrice Carrillo stands accused of misspending up to
US$26,000 of public funds. Carillo's eccentric history of
inept leadership and alleged instances of malfeasance lend
credibility to the accusations. There is little hope for
improved accountability and credibility at the PDDH until the
end of Carrillo's second term in 2007. (Note: The Office of
the PDDH is filled by a two-thirds vote of the Legislative
Assembly's 84 seats; the office's term is three years. End
note.) END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) San Salvador daily El Diario de Hoy reported
September 12 that Carrillo has been formally accused of
misspending up to $26,000in public funds, and, although she
has presented information to the Controller of the Court of
Accounts, the case has moved to the second stage. The
allegations include the assignment of six vehicles for her
personal use, a gasoline subsidy of $2,800 per month
(equivalent to approximately 800 gallons per month of premium
gasoline),payment of insurance fees for out-of-service
vehicles, and inappropriate payment of overtime, without any
evidence that the staff members in question actually worked
the overtime. In addition, on December 17, 2004, Carrillo's
office paid $5,500 to publish a pamphlet which remains
unprinted nine months later, pending action by the PDDH.


3. (C) The charges represent but the latest scandal in a
long list of irregularities at the PDDH under Beatrice
Carrillo's tenure. During the investigation of the November
2004 murder of American labor activist Gilberto Soto, the
PDDH impeded progress in the case with unfounded and
inflammatory allegations, as well as with attempts at
supression of evidence that did not support the PDDH's pet
theory that Soto's death was a politically-motivated
"extrajudicial execution" (reftel A). Credible accusations
surfaced of witness-tampering attempts by PDDH officers, who
allegedly tried to bribe key witnesses in the case with cash
payments, employment opportunities, and immigration benefits,
if they would perjure themselves in support of the PDDH's
agenda (reftel B). Since then, Carrillo's increasingly
erratic behavior has included bizarre allegations that the
Civilian National Police (which in poll after poll continue
to enjoy citizens' highest confidence) represent a sinister
threat to human rights, and that the administration's
laudable efforts to prepare for Hurricane Adrian's landfall
in May were "alarmist political grandstanding". Carrillo has
also gone on record as opposing the upcoming installation in
El Salvador of an International Law Enforcement Academy
(ILEA),which she characterizes as a "nefarious" threat to
the nation's sovreignty.


4. (C) COMMENT: Although Carrillo will likely dismiss these
new charges as merely the latest calumny in a vast conspiracy
against her, poor stewardship of resources has been one of
the hallmarks of her leadership at the PDDH. Carrillo hosts
elaborate banquets at luxury hotels to mark the release of
routine reports; the recent launch of her new "human rights
network" included marching bands and miniskirt-clad dancing
girls, although attendees were left in the dark as to the
need, purpose, makeup, or mode of operation of the new
network. Regardless of the outcome of the case involving her
office's alleged financial improprieties, there would appear
to be little hope of Carrillo's stepping down prior to the
end of her term. END COMMENT.
Butler