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