ASSESSMENT OF GUATEMALAN SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 002358

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT PLS PASS TO USAID FOR LAC/CAM - L. SIENKIEWICZ
WHA/FO - G. SNIDELE AND WHA/CEN - H. THOMPSON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2017
TAGS: PREL PINS PTER SNAR GT
SUBJECT: ASSESSMENT OF GUATEMALAN SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

REF: A. STATE 163495

B. GUATEMALA 1582

Classified By: Ambassador James M. Derham for reasons 1.4 (b&d).

Security Plans in Transition
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1. (SBU) Embassy Guatemala appreciates the Department's
request for post and host country input regarding priority
assistance needs that could be funded as part of the Merida
Initiative. We consulted senior Berger Government officials
who have only five weeks left in office, as well as
representatives of the incoming Colom Administration. Colom
has yet to name his Minister of Government. In response to
Ref A, regarding law enforcement equipment needs, we are
providing the list of suggested equipment contained in para.
4, which was developed in collaboration with law enforcement
authorities, and was approved by Minister of Government Adela
Camacho de Torrebiarte.

Incoming Government Responses
--------------

2. (SBU) Regarding Guatemala's projected FY 2009 and FY 2010
security needs, senior officials of the outgoing Berger
Administration did not provide any additional substantive
responses. However, Raul Velasquez and Eduardo Quezada,
advisors to President-Elect Colom on security policy,
discussed the incoming government's security priorities.
Specifically, they mentioned:

Counter-narcotics, Counter-terrorism, and Border Security:
-- Anti-TIP efforts;
-- Combating trafficking of stolen cars.

Public Security and Law Enforcement:
-- Community policing, along the lines of the USG-supported
model precinct in Villa Nueva;
-- Youth outreach and gang prevention programs;
-- Expansion of the NAS-supported crime tips hotline, "Tell
it to Waldemar";
-- Improving the National Police's existing investigative
capability;
-- Organizing citizen's watch groups in 70 high-crime, urban
neighborhoods, and focusing law enforcement resources on
those neighborhoods.

Institution Building and Rule of Law:
-- Expansion of USAID's 24-hour courts program, and criminal
judicial reform generally;
-- Support for the new, civilian intelligence unit within the
Ministry of Government;
-- Continue ongoing efforts to purge the National Police of
criminals, and at the same time, to strengthen the police
career track and implement mechanisms to acknowledge
excellent performance;
-- Education and social reintegration programs, both inside
and outside of prisons.

Embassy Evaluation
--------------

3. (C) Embassy believes that as Mexican counternarcotics
efforts become more effective, drug traffickers will
increasingly move their operations to Guatemala. We believe
that the potential areas for assistance discussed in Ref B
merit consideration. Additionally, Embassy is encouraged by
Velasquez and Quezada's responses, and particularly by their
strong support for expansion of existing AID- and
NAS-supported programs. Youth outreach, anti-gang, and other
social programs will play a central role in the Colom
Government's security plans. We should continue and expand
our support for vetted units and for judicial reform (to
include prosecutor capacity building),as well as GOG efforts
to improve border security.

Law Enforcement Equipment
--------------

4. (SBU) Prioritized list of law enforcement equipment:
Q4. (SBU) Prioritized list of law enforcement equipment:
-- Anti-Organized Crime Unit ($700,000). Specific items
include: Bullet-proof vests, micro recorders, on-the-body
video cameras and microphones, binoculars, cameras, video
cameras ($120,000); computers, laptops, printers and office
equipment ($80,000); telephone intercept equipment
($320,000); maintenance and other costs ($80,000); and
training ($100,000).
-- Counter-narcotics surveillance vehicle with radio
intercept platform ($100,000).
-- CCTV/mass spectrometer ($130,000).
-- One fixed-wing aircraft and support package ($4,500,000).
-- National Forensics Institute (INACIF, $750,000). Specific
items include: a second mass spectrometer microscope; mobile
laboratories for morgue (5 vans with equipment); and training
for all sections of aboratory.
-- Villa Nueva Model Precinct and Petn police community
outreach program ($700,000). Items include: 100 Radios for
Saturation Patrol Units; 200 ballistic vests; training; and
technical equipment.
-- Regional Training and Support ($230,000). Courses to
include training for investigators, canine handlers,
controlled delivery training, port security training, and
radio communications and ADP computer equipment training.
-- INL/SAIA Hangar Support ($125,000): Radio communications
equipment.
-- Prison System Assistance ($100,000). Specific items
include: 50 radios; office equipment/computers.
-- Airport scanner for DIPA airport unit and ten electric
carts for airport canine unit ($190,000).
-- Training for National Police in combating crimes against
women ($75,000).
-- Augment NAS INL air-wing with two additional helicopters
and support package ($4,000,000).
-- Establishment and support for a Tactical Operations Center
(TOC) for eradication efforts ($200,000).
-- Anti-Gang Unit support ($550,000). Specific items
include: 40 radios, 60 ballistic vests, computers, digital
cameras, surveillance equipment, communications network for
region, and training.
Derham