INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION AND OUTREACH ON

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000615 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KSTC EWWT ECON ETRD PARM PHSA PREL PTER SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION AND OUTREACH ON MARITIME SECURITY REF: SECSTATE 38874 ¶1. In response to Reftel, Post submits the following information regarding maritime security and coordination. ¶2. Maritime security issues are handled by Economic Officer Stephanie Acosta-Mikulasek (tel: 56-2-330-3394). Depending on the maritime issue, other agencies at the embassy are often involved or take the lead. ¶3. Post contacts DHS, based in Buenos Aires, on maritime security issues on an ad hoc basis. Post does not have a full-time coordinating mechanism such as a Maritime Security Coordinating Council, but utilizes the Law Enforcement Committee to discuss maritime concerns as they arise. Post addresses maritime security in the FY 2007 MPP Border Security indicator under the Counter-Terrorism Performance Goal. ¶4. Maritime programs add significant value to Chile. For example, the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture invited DHS/Customs to conduct seminars on Container Security for Chilean industry and customs brokers. The Department of Agriculture has also conducted training on food export requirements mandated by DHS. DEA works extensively with the coast guard component of the Chilean Navy on drug interdiction operations. ¶5. Coordination and communication amongst USG agencies could be improved. Consultation between the USG and the Government of Chile (GOC) could also be improved, according to GOC contacts. For example, a large variety of interrelated port security programs, such as certification of individual ports to the Container Security Initiative, are overseen by different agencies and therefore different POCs. The GOC struggles to determine the appropriate POC for each individual aspect of projects. The situation is complicated by the lack of a direct counterpart between the USG and the GOC. Specifically, the DHS representative responsible for Chile, based in Buenos Aires, is sometimes unsure who is the proper counterpart on a given matter. ¶6. An additional challenge is the lack of coordination with the Mission by USG agencies not represented directly at Post. For example, United States Coast Guard attaches, who do not report to the Department of Defense, have at times begun arrangements or negotiations with the Chilean Coast Guard without notifying Embassy staff. ¶7. The GOC takes maritime security seriously due to the country's dependence on exports. Generally the GOC is well-prepared and able to adapt to new USG regulations. In addition, as the leader in security technology, the USG has ample opportunity for U.S. firms to participate in required security upgrades. Post assisted the U.S. Trade and Development Agency in awarding a grant worth nearly USD $1 Million for a feasibility study at Chile's two largest ports, Valparaiso and San Antonio, both of which are publicly operated and concessioned to the private sector. KELLY