CHILE: MILGRP REQUEST FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000846 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/BSC, DRL, INR, PM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR MASS PREL PHUM CI SUBJECT: CHILE: MILGRP REQUEST FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING FOR U.S.-SPONSORED TRAINING REF: A. COMSOCSOUTH 071600Z NOV 05 ¶B. 05 STATE 83724 ¶1. This is an action request. See paragraphs 2 and 3. ¶2. (U) 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 military unit and/or candidates who have been nominated for training by USG officials, pursuant to the Leahy Act and Foreign Assistance Act for potential human rights violations. Please transmit the results, including information not strictly covered by the Leahy Amendment, to Embassy. ¶3. (U) The proposed training is the Legal Aspects of Combating Terrorism Course, which will take place in Lima, Peru, April 24 through April 28, 2006. The course is being sponsored by SOUTHCOM. 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. ¶1. Carlos R. Rodriguez Huerta, 19 DEC 70, Chile, 11-726-290-1 ¶2. Manuel A. Valdivieso Teran, 24 AUG 73, Chile, 12-493-197-0 ¶4. (U) Embassy is conducting its own review and thus far has not found credible information that any of the aforementioned units/candidates have been involved in gross human rights violations. Embassy thanks the Department in advance for its timely consideration of and response to this matter. ¶5. (U) Post apologizes for the delay in transmitting this request to the Department and any inconveniences it may cause in providing a timely response. KELLY