EL SALVADOR: CONCURRENCE WITH 1206 FUNDING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 001375 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR PM AND WHA/CEN, SOUTHCOM FOR J5 E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2017 TAGS: MARR MASS MCAP MOPS PREL PTER PINS ES SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR: CONCURRENCE WITH 1206 FUNDING PROPOSALS Classified By: AMBASSADOR CHARLES L. GLAZER, FOR REASONS 1.4 (a),(d),(g ) ¶1. (C) I am writing in support of the following three 1206 funding proposals that relate to El Salvador. The three proposals for 1206 funding include: ¶2. (C) Four High Speed Interceptor Patrol Craft: Providing four high speed Interceptor Patrol Craft (along with trailer and vehicle to move them overland, repair parts and support, and training and operations maintenance) will give the Salvadoran Navy the capacity to interdict illicit trafficking routes at sea, preventing the exploitation of these routes by terrorists and human traffickers destined for the U.S. ¶3. (C) Training and Equipping Counterterrorism (CT) Forces: Providing specific equipment and training based on recent assessment of current ESAF CT forces capabilities will enable the Salvadoran CT forces to better combat terrorists. This will contribute to the forward defense of the U.S. homeland by interdicting terrorists before they reach U.S. territory. ¶4. (C) Regional Aircraft Modernization Program (RAMP) Assessment of Partner National Air Forces: Conducting the RAMP assessment for the Salvadoran Air Force will investigate cost-sharing capability and facilitate implementation of the RAMP within El Salvador. The program, once implemented, would build partner-nation capacity for working jointly with the USG to secure national borders and perform humanitarian relief operations, by providing light ground attack, utility helicopter, tactical/medium lift, and ISR aircraft, on a cost-sharing basis. ¶5. (C) COMMENT: The Interceptor Patrol Craft will be especially critical for counternarcotics and counterterrorism operations on the coastline of El Salvador, an area that has recently seen a dramatic rise in illicit activities and remains highly vulnerable without increased resources and capabilities for the Salvadoran Navy. Glazer