NAS PANAMA MID-YEAR FY 2007 REPORT OF ACTIVITIES

UNCLAS PANAMA 000508 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR KCRM MCAP PM SUBJECT: NAS PANAMA MID-YEAR FY 2007 REPORT OF ACTIVITIES REF: Panama 492 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: NAS had a busy and productive first half of FY ¶07. Our assistance was vital to preparing the imminent launch of DEA's Title III wiretap program. We completed several major donations to the National Police (PNP) and National Maritime Service (SMN),including projects that improved both the infrastructure and response capability of both institutions. NAS initiated the Police Executive Leadership Seminar Series (PELSS) with the PNP and began beta-testing crime mapping and analysis technology. NAS also renewed support to the Culture of Lawfulness (COL) program and the Omar Moreno foundation as part of our efforts to focus on anti-corruption and demand reduction. End Summary. Excellent Cooperation and Results -------------- ¶2. (SBU) NAS support has been crucial to the success of USG-GOP bilateral efforts to interdict cocaine shipments, prosecute major criminals, and improve the quality of police. The Attorney General's Office and the Technical Judicial Police (PTJ),both major recipients of NAS funding, work closely with U.S. law enforcement in support of ebbing the flow of narcotics to the U.S. The GOP has been extremely helpful in assisting in detaining and expelling fugitives wanted in the U.S. During the first half of FY 07, there were no less than five such assists in the areas child molestation, methamphetamine smuggling and distribution, kidnapping, and fraud. ¶3. (SBU) Panama regularly contributes to investigations that result in large seizures of illegal narcotics even though the actual seizure is not made in Panama's jurisdiction. In some instances, as much of 80% of the leg work is conducted in Panama, while for strategic reasons actual operations are realized in other countries. We are attempting to development an accurate method for reporting this type of assistance. Title III Program -------------- ¶4. (SBU) NAS provided funding to complete the final preparatory stages for the launch of a Title III phone intercept program. The program, soon to be operational, will be a key instrument in pursuing drug-related activity and crimes in Panama as well as in neighboring countries. The operational/analytical unit is made up of vetted Attorney General (AG) Office personnel who will operate NAS-donated equipment, and will be under the direction of the AG herself. National Maritime Service (SMN) -------------- ¶5. (SBU) A key aim of NAS support is to improve the infrastructure and operational readiness of the SMN, which is currently unequipped to face Panama's maritime challenges. ¶6. (U) NAS was able to complete projects improving the infrastructure at the SMN's Pedregal base in David, Chiriqui Province. This is a key post due to its location close to the Costa Rican border on the Pacific. Projects completed included the construction of a floating pier and a boat ramp. The base previously did not have access to launch its small boats in response to law enforcement or humanitarian missions. ¶7. (U) NAS also built a small storage area for over $500,000 in spare parts to be used in the rehabilitation of four U.S.-donated 82-foot patrol boats. The facility will also store parts for the Donzi fast boats that were donated to the SMN and the National Police (PNP). It is located at the SMN main base in Panama City but the inventory under NAS control. ¶8. (U) The rehabilitation of the first 82-foot boat is underway and we are hoping to complete work by August 1. We plan to rehabilitate all four vessels, giving the SMN two patrol boats for each coast. The first vessel is undergoing the replacement of approximately 30% of its hull. Subsequently, it will enter into dockside maintenance in order to rebuild both engines and generators. National Police (PNP) - Border and Interdiction Efforts -------------- -------------- ¶9. (U) NAS donated 15 HUMVEEs (eleven regular and four ambulances) to the frontier division of the PNP. The vehicles will be used to increase the police's capability for moving troops in the rough terrain areas of both the Costa Rican and Colombian borders. The ambulances will provide medevac capability for both PNP troops and local residents in certain humanitarian cases. We procured a two-year supply of spare parts for these vehicles. ¶10. (SBU) We worked with the frontier division's S-II unit to set up small information collection teams that will work along both border regions. NAS and other US law enforcement personnel made several visits to border areas with the head of the police's S-II to assist in strategic planning for these teams. NAS also worked closely with the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) to visit border area police bases and decide on strategic locations for donations that are to be made under DOD operation Enduring Friendship. National Police (PNP) - Modernization -------------- ¶11. (U) We recently completed the first two installations of the Police Executive Leadership Seminar Series (PELSS),which were held in January and March, respectively (reftel). The PELSS concept, developed by our NAS police advisor, is custom designed to help the PNO become the first community oriented police agency in Latin America. PELSS I & II were delivered to the 32 top commanders in the PNP in a unique partnership with a team of top managers from the Miami Dade Police Department. The key goals were to promote a thorough understanding of the SARA model of problem solving and to assign a practical SARA exercise to be performed by each student. ¶12. (U) PELSS also underscored the changes required in the successfully transition from the military-style form of police management towards that of community-oriented or democratic policing. One of those key steps - the willingness of the PNP to embrace and institutionalize this change - was evidenced by the issuance of new vision statements, shortly after the launch of PELSS. ¶13. (U) We also laid the groundwork for the second part of this policing change initiative, directed at the executive level of command, partnering with the Southern Police Institute (SPI) of the University of Louisville. President Torrijos, who campaigned on reducing levels of street crime, has reportedly taken a personal interest in these educational initiatives and the resulting PNP paradigm shift. PELSS and SPI mark a radical shift in USG police assistance by substituting tailored management-change initiatives in place of a one-size-fits-all training. Anti-Crime Technology -------------- ¶14. (U) NAS finished the majority of procurement for a new crime mapping and analysis program (INCRIDEFA in Spanish) for the Ministry of Government and Justice and the PNP. INCRIDEFA will give police commanders the tools needed to spot problems and hot spots and dedicate resources to problem solution. The result will be more effective and efficient policing and enhanced investigative capability. INCRIDEFA technology is presently in beta testing and is due for a roll-out in May of 2007. Seized Assets -------------- ¶15. (U) NAS assisted the AG in getting control of their accountability for seized assets (90% of which come from drug-related crimes). We worked with the AG and a private company to purchase equipment, design software and train personnel on use and procedures. The system will allow for digitalized management of assets seized as part of criminal investigations and connects all offices involved in the process. In all, close to 100 employees of the AG were trained and five servers and other equipment were donated. The software to manage the process is a secure system and will protect against seized items being altered or changed during the legal process. Panama was scheduled to implement the system for all of its seized property as of April 1. Intelligence Coordination -------------- ¶16. (SBU) NAS worked with the Ministry of Government and Justice and the AG to assist the GOP with the strengthening and modernization of the Joint Intelligence Coordination Center (JICC). The JICC is a central resource for GOP and USG inquires regarding potential illicit activity and actors. Our assistance included relocating the JICC office and donation of computers and servers, and upgrades to improve physical security. ¶17. (SBU) NAS assisted MOGJ officials in creating written agreements that were to be signed by relevant Ministries as protocols for information sharing within the GOP. With our assistance, the JICC is now directly connected to 15 databases and is providing information to GOP and USG law enforcement and security entities. Demand Reduction -------------- ¶18. (U) A NAS-funded seed money grant to the Omar Moreno Foundation continued to yield positive results. The Moreno Baseball Academy, founded by the MLB World Series champion, offers free instruction in baseball to at-risk, inner-city youth, thus providing a positive daily alternative to involvement in illicit drugs and gang violence. In addition to daily baseball training, reinforcement of positive values and discipline are integral parts of the Academy curriculum. Leveraging its partnership with the Embassy and AES/Panama, the Foundation held its first fund-raising gala in January. Tens of thousands of dollars were raised to guarantee the continued work of the Academy. As a result, plans are underway for expansion of the Academy program into the cities of Chitre, Colon, David, and Puerto Armuelles. Anti-Corruption -------------- ¶19. (U) Culture of Lawfulness (COL) training and development continues within the PNP, at both the institution's academies. COL is in the final stages of curriculum and trainer development use in both public and private schools. Embassy Panama views this COL program as a key element of our key goal of promoting transparency and respect for rule of law in Panama. Additional Training -------------- ¶20. (U) NAS provided training to dozens of GOP officials in a wide range of areas. Topics included criminal investigations, fraudulent document identification, dignitary protection, pilot certifications, outboard boat mechanics, and DARE (anti-drug) leader training. EATON