UNCLAS ASUNCION 000639

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PASS TO PM/WRA, SA/LW

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: DOD PGOV PARM PA
SUBJECT: Physical Security and Stockpile Management Assessment and
Destruction of Unserviceable Stocks and Small Arms and Light
Weapons

REF: A) ASUNCION 563


1. This cable contains an action request for PR/WRA and SA/LW and is
a retransmission of reftel. See para. 5.


2. An explosion at the Paraguayan Military's main ordinance depot in
January 2007 destroyed one of the storage sheds for commercial
explosives and initiating devices. After the explosion, the
Military Forces Commander, GEN Soto, asked the Chief, US Office of
Defense Cooperation (ODC) for technical support to help their
military's War Materiel Directorate (DIMABEL) improve the storage
and handling of explosives and ammunition and destruction if needed.



3. Initial assessments were completed with in-country DOD
personnel, and subsequent support was provided by other USG
agencies. These assessments identified several deficiencies in
handling and storage procedures that warranted further technical
assistance as well as identifying significant amounts of ammunition
and explosives requiring destruction. Additionally, DIMABEL is
responsible for storing their military's old SALW as well as
military type weapons seized by police forces. Many of these
weapons are stored with inadequate safeguards or accountability and
are waiting to be destroyed.


4. Mr. Jon Errickson and LTC Bill Johnson, Defense Threat Reduction
Agency Conventional Arms Branch (DTRA-OSAE), conducted an assessment
June 18-22 of the main DIMABEL depot. During their outbrief with
GEN Soto they explained the deficiencies that they found (including
the fact that approximately 75 per cent of the military stockpile is
unserviceable and needs destruction) and received his approval to
provide follow-up training and assistance with destruction of
outdated or damaged explosives and ammunition.


5. Action request: On June 28, the Chief, ODC at the US Embassy
received a formal request from GEN Soto for additional support to
DIMABEL in all areas related to structure, organization, storage,
handling and destruction of all war materiel. Based on this request
US Embassy Paraguay is requesting that DTRA-OSAE conduct their
Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) Level I and II
seminars as soon as possible. Additionally, we request funds from
the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (WRA) to help support
our country team efforts to improve stockpile and SA/LW storage and
handling as well as the destruction of all unserviceable items.
CASON