CHILE: MILGP REQUEST FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING FOR

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001297 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/BSC, DRL, INR, PM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR MASS PREL PHUM CI SUBJECT: CHILE: MILGP REQUEST FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING FOR THE TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD'S VIGILANT GUARD EXERCISE REF: A. COMSOCSOUTH 071600Z NOV 05 ¶B. 05 STATE 83724 ¶1. This is an action request. See paragraphs 2 and 3. ¶2. Action request: Embassy requests the Department assist in conducting a Leahy Amendment Human Rights review, as well as a general name check of the following Chilean candidates who have been nominated for training in the U.S., pursuant to the Leahy Act and Foreign Assistance Act. Please transmit the results of such, including information not strictly covered by the Leahy Amendment, to Embassy. ¶3. The proposed training is an orientation visit to the Texas National Guard's Vigilant Guard Exercise, which will take place June 19 through June 23, 2006. The names and identifying information on the proposed candidates appear in the following format: Name, date of birth, place of birth and national identification number. a. LTC Luis Vasquez Mardesic, 16 Jul 1962, Chile, 8336296-0 b. CPT Alexander Betzhold Formigli, 22 Oct 1973, Chile, 12488423-3 c. CPT Pablo Francisco Von Unger Thauby, 18 Sep 1976, Chile, 13098420-7 ¶4. Embassy is conducting its own review and has not found credible information that the aforementioned candidates have been involved in gross human rights violations. Embassy appreciates the Department's timely consideration of and response to this matter. KELLY