GOA INTERIOR MINISTER ON COUNTERNARCOTICS AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 001246 SIPDIS SIPDIS WHA/BSC FOR DREW BLAKENEY, S/CT:ASIERRA INL/LP:JHIDES E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2017 TAGS: SNAR KCRM ASEC PREL PGOV AR SUBJECT: GOA INTERIOR MINISTER ON COUNTERNARCOTICS AND COUNTERTERRORISM COOPERATION REF: BUENOS AIRES 1208 Classified By: Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. On June 25, Ambassador Wayne called on Interior Minister Anibal Fernandez to discuss ongoing counternarcotics (CN) cooperation in the Tri-Border Area (TBA),the Department's offer to conduct a counterterrorism (CT) assessment of Argentina, and status of TIP legislation (reported septel). Fernandez briefed the Ambassador on the GOA's efforts to enhance CN cooperation at the domestic and international levels (reftel). When the Ambassador noted that we were waiting for MOI decisions on GOA participation in a CN initiative in the TBA and a general CT assessment, the Minister immediately approved the CN initiative and asked a subordinate to follow up with Argentina's intelligence agency, SIDE, to obtain a recommendation on the CT assessment. He told the Ambassador that he is in favor of the CT assessment, but must wait for a recommendation from SIDE before accepting the offer. When the Ambassador informed Fernandez that the Transportation Security Agency would be sending its February 2007 security assessment of Ezeiza International Airport in the coming weeks, Fernandez replied that he could take constructive criticism, especially given that much investment is needed to enhance airport security. Fernandez closed by downplaying press speculation of a rift between him and the head of Airport Security Police (PSA) Marcelo Sain, but he slammed Jose Granero, chief of the Secretary of Planning for Prevention of Drug Abuse and Drug SIPDIS Trafficking (SEDRONAR),and his second in command Gabriel Aboud. (Note: The Minister's comment reflects long-running turf battles between the Minister and the Chiefs of PSA and SEDRONAR. End Note.) End Summary. GOA CN initiatives to improve interagency and international cooperation -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) On June 25, Ambassador Wayne called on Interior Minister Anibal Fernandez. He was accompanied by DEA Acting Country Attache T.K. Solis and poloff. The Ambassador praised the MOI's recent efforts to increase interagency coordination and to develop mechanisms to identify and prosecute drug trafficking networks (reftel). Minister Fernandez noted that the GOA had recently completed an assessment of the problem and had based its new initiatives on that assessment. He expressed frustration with corruption at the provincial level and pointed out that the GOA had ""not made any important progress"" on drug and precursor chemical seizures or in the detection of drug networks and labs. He also noted that drugs seized have been of poor quality. (Comment: Fernandez' negative assessment on previous successes, particularly relating to precursor chemicals, is likely tied to his ongoing turf battle with SEDRONAR, which is responsible for developing and implementing the precursor chemical control regime as well as anti-narcotics education and use programs. In Embassy's assessment, SEDRONAR's control regime has been well conceptualized and well run. Fernandez does not like that there is another counternarcotics agency not under his control and which answers directly to the President. End Comment.) ¶3. (C) Fernandez also asserted that the Interior Ministry should focus its efforts on busting large drug trafficking networks, not the individual addict. Fernandez stated that although he is against decriminalizing drug use, SEDRONAR and the Ministry of Health should improve its efforts to rehabilitate individual drug abusers. He indicated that only 2.5% of all federal cases related to drug trafficking result in convictions. He noted that the cost of trial is AR5000 (approximately USD 1650),and that the cost of keeping a drug addict in jail is AR5000 a month. ¶4. (C) The Ambassador expressed USG support for the GOA's efforts to improve interagency and international CN coordination. He noted that the USG enjoys cooperation with the GOB in the area of law enforcement but not in eradication. He then asked about Argentina's experience in working with Bolivia. Fernandez stated that he had spoken to Bolivian President Morales during a meeting with President Kirchner. He noted that although Morales defends coca production, he does not support the production of cocaine. The Ambassador pointed out that Morales' stance is contradictory, asking how increased coca production does not lead to increased cocaine production? Fernandez ceded the point, calling the GOB's eradication policies ""schizophrenic"". Nevertheless, he stated that he believes Morales is willing to sign CN cooperation agreements and reported that his Bolivian counterpart is currently considering the GOA's offer to sign a CN information sharing agreement. If the GOB approves it, Fernandez will travel to Bolivia to sign the agreement. Fernandez stated that when it comes to narcotrafficking issues in the region, however, he is more concerned with Peru than with Bolivia. He indicated that Peruvian President Garcia told him that he acknowledged that many of Peru's ""least desirable"" citizens immigrated to Argentina. He also added that Peruvians jailed for drug-related crimes far outnumber Bolivians in Argentine prisons. Fernandez moves bureaucracy on USG CN and CT initiatives after significant delays -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) The Ambassador then raised CN cooperation in the TBA, noting that Prefectura had received the MOI's approval to participate in the new Eastern Border Task Force in Misiones. He pointed out, however, that Gendarmerie was still waiting for MOI approval to participate in the task force. Fernandez immediately placed a call to the National Gendarmerie's Commanding General Hector Schenone authorizing Gendarmerie's participation in the force. ¶6. (C) Similarly, when the Ambassador informed Fernandez that the Embassy still had not received an answer from the MOI regarding the Department's anti-terrorism assistance (ATA) offer to conduct a CT assessment in Argentina, he immediately called a subordinate to follow up with Argentina's intelligence service (SIDE) to obtain their recommendation on the proposal. He explained to the Ambassador that he is in favor of the assessment, but must wait for a recommendation from SIDE before accepting the offer. (Embassy has already followed up with SIDE who indicated approval will be forthcoming soonest.) Fernandez: GOA can take TSA Constructive Criticism, Particuarly When Done Privately -------------- -------------- ¶7. (C) Finally, the Ambassador noted that the Transportation Security Agency had very recently completed its official confidential letter regarding the February 2007 security assessment of Ezeiza International Airport, and that the report would likely include a discussion of areas for improvement. Minister Fernandez indicated that he can accept constructive criticism, ""particularly when it's done privately"", and that these evaluations help to promote needed reforms. He noted that Argentina needs to make significant investment in its airport security infrastructure and training. Fernandez Comments on Relationships with other Security Agency Chiefs -------------- -------------- ¶8. (C) Fernandez, unprompted, then downplayed any public rift between him and Airport Security Police (PSA) National Director Dr. Marcelo Fabian Sain as speculated in recent press articles. He asserted that he and Sain share the same vision, and that the argument is not over the GOA's counternarcotics strategy but over investment to address the problem. The GOA's self-critical evaluation of its efforts to combat narcotrafficking is not directed at the PSA, which has only been in existence for the last two years, rather it focuses on the lack of progress in general over the last 18 years. He stated that instead of criticizing the PSA, he applauds their efforts. He added that when a journalist asked him why the Minister does not fire Sain, he replied that Sain is a good official and that he would not sack Sain over an argument. Fernandez privately indicated to the Ambassador, that he would sack Jose Granero, head of SEDRONAR, whose second in command, Gabriel Aboud, is ""a joke"" (porqueria). (Comment: The Minister's comments reveal his micromanagement tendencies and reflect long-running turf battles between the Minister and the chiefs of SEDRONAR and PSA. Granero answers directly to President Kirchner which irritates Fernandez and makes it difficult for him to criticize Granero or Aboud publicly. Fernandez's comments on Sain are interesting as we continue to hear reports that their relationship is tense, also possibly due to Sain's direct links to Kirchner. End Comment.) Comment -------------- ¶9. (C) A temperamental interlocuter, Minister Fernandez was in a good mood and seemed unbothered by the news that PRO candidate Mauricio Macri won this weekend's election for Mayor of Buenos Aires city. During the meeting, he described himself as ""pro-American as you can get"" in Argentina. He expressed a willingness to work with us on counternarcotics, counterterrorism, and trafficking in persons issues; and stressed that he can take constructive criticism, whether it comes from the TIP report or TSA, so long as it is done privately. WAYNE