NAS PANAMA MONTHLY REPORT AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS: JUNE

UNCLAS PANAMA 001244 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR KJUS MCAP PM SUBJECT: NAS PANAMA MONTHLY REPORT AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS: JUNE 2007 ¶1. (U) This cable provides a brief overview of NAS/Panama activities and major law enforcement and counternarcotics developments during June 2007. In early June our key focus was the visit of Codel Meeks. UPDATE ON TITLE III PROGRAM -------------- ¶2. (SBU) DEA and NAS arranged a meeting at the Ambassador's residence that included three Supreme Court justices and the Attorney General (AG) and her senior staff. The Ambassador noted the importance we attach to the Title III (Matador) program, largely financed by NAS, which will soon be up and running. The justices expressed their receptivity to the program and reached a clear understanding of procedures and responsibilities with the AG. DEALING WITH NEW SMN LEADERSHIP -------------- ¶3. (SBU) NAS met with Maritime Service (SMN) head Rodrigo Cigarruista to discuss our support for existing programs. Cigarruista impressed us with a penchant for advance planning and efficient use of resources. We welcome his commitment to enhancing internal controls. Meanwhile, the investigation into illegal enrichment and corruption by former SMN head Ricardo Traad revealed on the order of $6 million in "unexplained" wealth. We have been impressed by the dedication of the AG in investigating Traad, who remains incarcerated. COAST GUARD PLAN ON HOLD -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Senior GOP officials, including Minister of Government and Justice Olga Golcher, have indicated to us that the GOP plan to launch a coast guard (fusing the SMN and the Air Service, SAN) has been placed on stand-by. The officials cite the number of items on the upcoming Congressional session agenda as the reason for the hold. However, our day-to-day contacts in the public forces indicate a major reason for the hold was the resignation of numerous pilots from the SAN "in protest" of the plan's perceived bais against the interests of the SAN as an institution. Further evincing this SAN dissention was last month's resignation of SAN head Jaime Fabrega. PTJ - HOPE FOR SURVIVAL? -------------- ¶5. (SBU) We understand from senior GOP officials that the plan to eliminate the Technical Judicial Police (PTJ) remains firm. Nevertheless, the June appointment of the capable and dedicated Jose Ayu Prado (formerly the lead drug prosecutor) to run the PTJ offered a glimmer of hope that the institution might remain intact and under the direction of the AG. Ayu said he is working diligently to weed out additional corrupt PTJ officers and improve the entity's track record on completed investigations. NAS is working closely with Ayu to channel our assistance to the entity in the most effective fashion. We agreed on the desirability of training for proven performers within the PTJ. Even in the event of the transfer of most PTJ responsibilities to the National Police (PNP),those proven performers are likely to continue to serve law enforcement in some capacity. POLICE MODERNIZATION PROGRAM -------------- ¶6. (U) Our law enforcement advisor traveled to San Jose in late June to conduct a first session of our Panama-based Police Executive Leadership Seminar Series (PELSS) for members of the Costa Rican Public Force (Fuerza Publica). Our police modernization program continued to receive excellent press coverage as well as a strong public show of support from Government and Justice Minister Olga Golcher. EATON