CY-2004 END USER MONITORING REPORT FOR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000540 SIPDIS STATE FOR INL/LP, INL/ENT, AND WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR PREL KCRM EAID PHUM HO SUBJECT: CY-2004 END USER MONITORING REPORT FOR HONDURAS REF: A) STATE 16913 B) STATE 17655 ¶1. The INL Section has been managing and providing support to INL funded counternarcotics (CN) projects in Honduras. On January 6, 2005, a new law enforcement advisor arrived to assist the POL/INL section in developing more focused support for INL projects. Current operational projects are: ¶1. Maritime (boat) Project ¶2. Canine Project ¶3. Container Freight Tracking System (CFTS) Project ¶4. Elite Unit Project ¶5. GOH CN agencies support ¶6. Frontier Police ¶7. Demand Reduction ¶2. POL/INL law enforcement advisor coordinates INL programs and liaisons with law enforcement officials of the Government of Honduras (GOH). His duties also include End Use Monitoring (EUM). ¶3. Resources: INL provides counternarcotics support directly to the following GOH agencies: A) General Directorate of Special Investigative Services (DGSEI) through the Frontier Police who are attached to the Ministry of Public Security. B) Joint Information Control Center (JICC) - attached to the Ministry of Public Security (MOPS). Project funds were disbursed to the above organizations for training, equipment, operations, and demand reduction. ¶4. Procedures: EUM inspections are conducted on an annual basis with the organizations listed in paragraph three. A complete inventory of donated equipment is available at Post. Training equipment and supplies, in addition to constant interaction and communication with referenced organizations, provide Post with the necessary feedback to determine that INL resources are being used appropriately. ¶5. Status: CY-2004 was a year in which projects continued evolving. Projects are all operational. Status of projects is outlined below: A) Maritime Project (Frontier Police): Two 36ft boats and two 25ft boats are currently docked. Upon final repairs the boats will be assigned to the Ministry of Public Security (MoPS). Maritime patrolling is detained. B) Canine Project (Frontier Police): The Canine Project was transferred to the Frontier Police in July ¶2003. Fixed assets, such as buildings, and some mobile assets such as vehicles and trailers are pending final signature transfer. Canines have been formally transferred to MOPS. The Canine program is utilized in several border areas by the Frontier Police with positive results. Additional training for the handlers and canines along with veterinary services, food, and supplies continue to be maintained by the INL program. C) Container Freight Tracking System Project: This project is complete and has been fully operational since April 2003. The Ministry of Public Security maintains and staffs this facility. Presence of uniformed Frontier Police is observed. D) Elite Unit Project: This unit is fully operational and works directly with Embassy sections/agencies such as DEA, TAT, and INL. INL and MOPS maintain the unit, with one office in Tegucigalpa and another in San Pedro Sula. E) Government of Honduras counternarcotics agencies support: INL assistance continues to MOPS, the Ministry of Defense, and the Public Ministry. The level and type of assistance provided by INL is determined by the project goals and funds available. Assistance includes equipment, technical assistance, and training. ¶6. Problems: Post encountered problems with the DLCN, maritime (boat) and canine projects. INL is no longer supporting the DLCN, and the other two projects were turned over to MOPS and are currently operational and providing positive results. ¶7. Program Changes: As previously stated, Post transferred the maritime (boat) and canine programs to the MOPS under the Frontier Police unit and is no longer supporting the DLCN. ¶8. Impact: Post's projects have had a positive impact on the GOH's overall counternarcotics efforts. A counternarcotics infrastructure is now in place and capable of providing effective operational support. During the last two years, Honduras law enforcement has seized more cocaine than in the previous ten years. Through constant monitoring and interaction, a sense of professionalism and accountability has been established with the GOH's counternarcotics organizations. This engagement by Country Team has allowed resources to be more effectively utilized. PALMER