WCO DEMARCHE DELIVERED, GOES CUSTOMS LOOKING TO

UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 002925

SIPDIS

DHS FOR CBP/ALEVY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD ES
SUBJECT: WCO DEMARCHE DELIVERED, GOES CUSTOMS LOOKING TO
IMPROVE TECHNOLOGY

REF: A) SECSTATE 185713, B) SAN SALVADOR 1749


1. (U) Summary. Econoff met with Hector Gustavo Villatoro,
Director General of Customs to deliver the demarche on
Implementing the World Customs Organization (WCO) Framework
of Standards. Villatoro confirmed he will sign the WCO
Letter of Intent, but did not commit to a date. Villatoro
also reviewed plans for upgrading Customs' security systems
at the country's borders. End Summary


2. (U) Econoff met with Hector Gustavo Villatoro, Director
General of Customs in El Salvador, to deliver ref A
demarche. Villatoro worked on El Salvador's application to
the WCO, to which they were admitted on July 7, 2005.
Villatoro also received ref. B demarche.


3. (U) Villatoro intends to sign the letter of intent,
assuming approval by the Minister of Finance (Customs is
part of MinFin),which he did not think would be a problem.
He said this would be done as soon as possible, and promised
to advise econoff as soon as the letter was sent to the WCO.


4. (U) Villatoro used the opportunity to explain ongoing
work on modernization and security measures. He gave as
examples El Salvador's integration with customs in Guatemala
and Honduras, which allow for faster transit of truck
cargoes across common borders. Customs is currently
negotiating to purchase non-intrusive inspection equipment
to scan cargo at the borders. The scanning equipment would
allow them to inspect for contraband, drugs, and weapons
without having to open each truck or container. Villatoro
said by having the government manage the use of the
equipment, they would plan to keep costs for each inspection
down to 8 to 10 dollars per truck versus 38 dollars charged
by private operators in Honduras for this service.


5. (U) Customs is working with CEPA, the port and airport
authority, to share in the cost for the equipment and its
use. He expected that Customs would be responsible for
purchase, installation and management of the equipment at
the land borders of Hachadura on the Guatemalan border and
Amatillo on the Honduran border. CEPA would be responsible
for the equipment at the seaport of Acajutla and the
international airport, facilities they are currently
managing. This will ease the financial burden of purchasing
the equipment on any one organization, and provide better
overall security coverage.

Barclay