Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BUENOSAIRES1439
2006-06-27 15:34:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Buenos Aires
Cable title:  

ARGENTINA'S DRUG CZAR ISOLATED, LEGALIZATION

Tags:  SNAR PGOV AR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #1439/01 1781534
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 271534Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5039
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION PRIORITY 5584
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 5383
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ JUN 4182
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA PRIORITY 1854
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO PRIORITY 5645
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO PRIORITY 5195
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 001439 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2016
TAGS: SNAR PGOV AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA'S DRUG CZAR ISOLATED, LEGALIZATION
EFFORTS GAIN STEAM

REF: A. BA 1485


B. BA 1062

Classified By: Ambassador Lino Gutierrez for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 001439

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2016
TAGS: SNAR PGOV AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA'S DRUG CZAR ISOLATED, LEGALIZATION
EFFORTS GAIN STEAM

REF: A. BA 1485


B. BA 1062

Classified By: Ambassador Lino Gutierrez for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: On June 22, the DCM, accompanied by Acting
DEA Chief and POL Officers, met with Dr. Jose Granero, the
head of Argentina's Drug Prevention Secretariat (SEDRONAR) to
discuss recent reports that the Interior Minister had ordered
several federal law enforcement agencies to stop working with
SEDRONAR on counternarcotics issues, such as the interdiction
of precursor chemicals. The DCM also wished to gauge the
GOA's stance on recent news reports regarding
decriminalization proposals being considered in Congress and
reported plans by Bolivian President Evo Morales to request
that President Nestor Kirchner allow the import and sale of
coca leaf and coca related products in Argentina. Granero
acknowledged that bureaucratic infighting may have
contributed to Minister Anibal Fernandez,s directive to
federal law enforcement agencies to limit cooperation with
SEDRONAR. Granero also discussed plans both within the
Ministry of Interior and Congress to de-penalize drug
consumption, and outlined his agencies efforts to block these
initiatives.


2. (C) On the issue of Evo Morales,s interest in having
Argentina legalize the import of coca leaf and related
products, Granero stressed that any such action would be in
direct violation of a 1976 Argentine law prohibiting the
planting, import or sale of narcotics, such as coca and
opium. He opined that any attempt to decriminalize the
import of coca related products would be unconstitutional
unless that law were first overturned. Granero, a friend and
long-time supporter of Kirchner was clearly displeased by
these proposals within the GOA. He lamented that Cabinet
Chief Alberto Fernandez was now openly advocating
decriminalization and also made negative references about
Interior Minister Anibal Fernandez,s support for
legalization. Granero's constant in-fighting with Interior
Minister Fernandez certainly weakens interagency coordination
and the overall GOA effort to combat illicit drugs at a time
when the evidence suggests major increases in the flow of
cocaine coming in from Bolivia. END SUMMARY.




3. (C) On June 22, the DCM, accompanied by POLOFF and DEA,
met with Dr. Jose Granero, the head of Argentina's Drug
Prevention and Secretariat (SEDRONAR) to review bilateral
counternarcotics cooperation, which has been excellent. The
DCM also took the opportunity to discuss recent reports that
the Interior Minister had ordered several federal law
enforcement agencies to stop working with SEDRONAR on
counternarcotics issues relating to the interdiction of
precursor chemicals. The DCM also sought Granero,s views on
drug decriminalization efforts in Congress and reports that
Bolivian President Evo Morales planned to request that
President Nestor Kirchner allow the legal import of coca leaf
and coca-related products. The DCM opened the conversation
with an account of his recent trip to Salta and Jujuy and his
impression that the situation along Argentina's border with
Bolivia had worsened considerably since his visit in 2005.
He stressed that in discussions with high ranking Gendarmeria
officials and several Gendarmeria and Aduanas enlisted
personnel, they all acknowledged that both the flow of
cocaine and the presence of Bolivian and Colombian narcotics
traffickers had increased sharply in recent months. Granero
agreed that the situation was worsening since the election of
Morales and stressed that Morales' twin policy of supporting
the coca growers because of their indigenous roots while
claiming to cooperate fully with international efforts to
combat narcotics traffickers was an untenable position that
could only worsen the trafficking situation in Argentina.
Granero said he advocated more forceful international and
regional efforts to point out the inconsistencies of his
position.


4. (C) The DCM stressed the importance of enhanced
inter-agency coordination on the counternarcotics front.
Granero agreed, but stated that for several months his agency
has essentially been working alone because the Interior
Minister had issued written orders to the heads of many
Argentine law enforcement agencies forbidding them from
cooperating with SEDRONAR. One of Granero's key staffers,
Assistant Secretary Gabriel Abboud, added that a recently
opened SEDRONAR office in Salta was not currently functioning
because the Gendarmeria had balked at staffing the office

with investigators as previously agreed. (NOTE: DEA reports
that the head of the Federal Police's Narcotics Unit has been
ordered not to attend weekly meetings with SEDRONAR and
senior Gendarmeria officers have stated that they have been
instructed to avoid contact with the agency. However, DEA
and the DEA funded Northern Border Task Force (NBTF) continue
to work closely with SEDRONAR and SEDRONAR continues to
participate in DEA sponsored regional exercises. END NOTE)


5. (C) With regard to recent reports that the GOA was
considering decriminalizing small amounts of certain types of
narcotics for personal use, Granero confirmed that the
Interior Ministry was currently considering the issue and
added that Cabinet Chief Alberto Fernandez was personally in
favor of decrimminalization. He added that currently the GOA
was deeply divided on the issue and that his office was
actively fighting these proposals both within the GOA and
Congress. He stressed that Kirchner himself was strongly
opposed to decrimminalization, which would effectively block
any legislative effort. (Note: We are not aware of any/any
legislative proposal having been drafted or being considered
on decriminalization. End Noted).


6. (C) The DCM also expressed concern over reports that
Bolivian president Evo Morales planned to ask Kirchner to
allow Bolivia to export coca leaf and coca-related products
into Argentina. Granero stated his strong opposition to the
idea, adding Kirchner was not considering any such action.
He pointed out that a 1976 Argentine anti-narcotics law that
specifically banned the import of coca leaf or coca related
products. He added that even if Kirchner was inclined to do
so, which he was not, he would first need to pass a new law
or cause the 1976 law to be repealed. Granero said he saw
little possibility of this happening.


7. (C) COMMENT: Granero, like Kirchner, is an ex-governor
of Santa Cruz Province, and a strong personal friend and
supporter of Kirchner. Granero is a hardliner on drugs and
is a staunch opponent of any decriminalization or
legalization initiatives. The growing rift between Granero
and Minister of Interior Fernandez is troubling as itthreatens to greatly reduce the effectiveness of the GOA's
counternarcotics efforts and coming as it does on the heels
of increased narcotics trafficking from Bolivia, is a real
cause for concern. Post's law enforcement team will continue
to engage the GOA at all levels in hopes of enhancing
cooperation between the law enforcement agencies that report
to the Interior Ministry and SEDRONAR.
GUTIERREZ