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