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 -------------- ¶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