Physical Security and Stockpile Management Assessment and

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and needs destruction) and received his approval to provide follow-up training and assistance with destruction of outdated or damaged explosives and ammunition.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