Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SANSALVADOR2402
2007-12-13 21:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy San Salvador
Cable title:  

EL SALVADOR: UPDATED ASSESSMENT OF CENTRAL

Tags:  ES PINS PREL PTER SNAR EAID 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0014
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSN #2402/01 3472118
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 132118Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8720
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO PRIORITY 6657
RHMCSUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY 0311
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 002402 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

WHA/CEN FOR HILLARY THOMPSON; WHA/FO FOR GIOVANNI SNIDLE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ES PINS PREL PTER SNAR EAID
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR: UPDATED ASSESSMENT OF CENTRAL
AMERICAN SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

REF: A. SECSTATE 163495

B. SAN SALVADOR 1555

UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 002402

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

WHA/CEN FOR HILLARY THOMPSON; WHA/FO FOR GIOVANNI SNIDLE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ES PINS PREL PTER SNAR EAID
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR: UPDATED ASSESSMENT OF CENTRAL
AMERICAN SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

REF: A. SECSTATE 163495

B. SAN SALVADOR 1555


1. (U) As requested ref. A, post has reviewed the security
assessment contained in San Salvador 1555 (ref. B). We
revalidate the original security needs identified in that
cable as well as the priority focus areas for targeted U.S.
law enforcement assistance and institution building in El
Salvador.


2. (U) Post met with appropriate Salvadoran government
officials and compiled a prioritized list of immediate police
equipment needs, as well as out year security requirements.
The lead Salvadoran law enforcement organization, the
National Civilian Police (PNC),identified a wide range of
priority equipment needs for FY2008. Post concurs in the PNC
priority needs equipment list, and hopes that several of the
top-tier items can be purchased with FY2008 Merida Initiative
supplemental funding. Provision of the equipment listed
below will go a long way towards addressing equipment and
technological shortcomings in Salvadoran law enforcement
organizations.

--------------
FY2008 Supplemental Funding
--------------


3. (U) Begin prioritized non-lethal police equipment list.


A. Ion scanners for detecting drugs and explosives. Three
units, with field deployable modules, total cost of USD
450,000.


B. Bullet-proof vests. One hundred units, total cost USD
50,000.


C. A network of twenty-five state-of-the-art booking stations
to gather and forward fingerprints, photographs, and DNA
samples. USD 750,000.


D. Upgrade for existing IBIS ballistics system. Two
additional modules, total cost of USD 300,000.


E. Police lights for undercover cars used in preventive
patrolling system. One hundred sets, total cost USD 100,000.


F. Crime scene evidence kits. Twenty kits, total cost USD
40,000.


G. Night vision goggles for Tactical Anti-Gang Unit (TAG) and
Organized Crime Unit (DECO). Twenty units, total cost USD
20,000.


H. Digital cameras with night vision capability for TAG.
Five units, total cost USD 7,500.



I. Technical surveillance kits with audio and photographic
monitoring capability for TAG. Three kits, total cost USD
20,000.


J. Field-deployable laptop computers with wireless capacity
for TAG. Ten units, total cost USD 15,000.


K. Field-deployable cell phone jammers for TAG and
Anti-Narcotics Division (DAN). Two units, total cost USD
6,000.


L. Electron microscope for forensics lab. One unit, total
cost USD 250,000.


M. Computer equipment for detecting counterfeit signatures.
One unit, total cost USD 25,000.


N. Tow trucks for stolen vehicle recovery unit. Two
vehicles, total cost USD 120,000.


O. Chevrolet Suburban vehicles equipped for SWAT operations.
Four units, total cost USD 280,000


P. Digital Motorola Radios. 1000 units, total cost USD 400,000


--------------

Out Year FY2009-FY2010 Needs
--------------


4. (U) As directed in ref. A., post examined host country
security requirements in light of the three pillar framework
developed for the FY2008 supplemental request. Close
examination of Salvadoran security requirements through
FY2010 yields five major priority areas of concern: criminal
evidence analysis and handling; processing of criminal
suspects and collection of associated information; maritime
interception capability; prison management; and border
security. The following proposed equipment purchases, law
enforcement training, and institution building efforts
suggested for out years FY2009-2010 would help Salvadoran
authorities to address shortcomings in the aforementioned
areas of concern.


5. (U) Pillar I: Counternarcotics and Border Security. El
Salvador's border crossings are increasingly vulnerable to
shipments of illicit narcotics, contraband, weapons, and bulk
cash transiting over land. Provision of state-of-the-art
x-ray machines to scan vehicles and containerized cargo
transiting the border installations at El Amatillo (adjacent
to Honduras) and La Hachadura (adjacent to Guatemala) would
significantly increase Salvadoran ability to interdict
contraband transiting Central America. The U.S.-funded
border stations at El Amatillo and La Hachadura would be able
to quickly make good use of USG-purchased x-ray equipment.
Provision of two units would cost an estimated total of USD
two million.


6. (U) Pillar I: Counternarcotics and Border Security.
Maritime interception capability: Narcotics trafficking on
the Pacific littoral adjacent to El Salvador is a major
security concern. At present, the PNC has negligible ability
to intercept suspect narcotics vessels, or prevent maritime
smuggling of contraband, human beings, and weapons.
Provision of three go-fast boats, equipped with
state-of-the-art communications and satellite navigation
gear, would enable the PNC to more aggressively react to a
wide range of maritime smuggling activity in El Salvador's
immediate coastline. Three suitable go-fasts would cost
roughly USD 600,000.


7. (U) Pillar I: Counternarcotics and Border Security. DoD
and the Salvadoran Ministry of Defense (MOD) have discussed
support of DoD/SOUTHCOM regional initiatives Enduring Freedom
(EF) and Regional Aircraft Modernization Program (RAMP).
Both initiatives focus on countering all forms of illicit
trafficking by providing regional security forces with patrol
craft, aircraft, and communications capabilities. The GOES
has repeatedly requested assistance in upgrading capabilities
of the Salvadoran Navy and Air Force to support joint
operations with the PNC to track and intercept traffickers.
Embassy San Salvador strongly supports funding of at least a
portion of the request: Four high-speed interceptor patrol
craft and support packages; two Cessna Caravan aircraft
outfitted with FLIR and support packages; Four refurbished
Huey II helicopters with support package.


8. (U) Pillar II: Public Security and Law Enforcement.
Criminal evidence analysis and handling: USG purchase of a
state-of-the-art DNA criminal laboratory would significantly
enhance the ability of Salvadoran investigators to analyze
and process criminal evidence. This would in turn increase
the effectiveness of investigations of activity ranging from
common street crimes such as carjacking and violent assaults
to more sophisticated crimes such as kidnappings and gangland
killings. The GOES is also actively discussing the
establishment of an independent forensics institute in San
Salvador, as recommended by the National Commission on Public
Safety, as well as two smaller units in Santa Ana and San
Miguel. The cost to establish the DNA and forensics labs is
estimated at USD 4 million.


9. (U) Pillar II: Anti-Gang Prevention: Community crime
prevention. Continue support for a block grant program of
grants for public-private programs for youth at risk of
joining gangs, abuse of drugs, and other community-based
initiatives. Estimated USG contribution to expand program in
El Salvador: USD 2 million/year. (Comment: Post strongly
encourages this be part of a larger region-wide program
funded at USD 5-8 million per year.)



10. (U) Pillar II: Rehabilitation/Crime Prevention. Youth in
prisons are particularly vulnerable and are prime targets for
gang recruitment both in prison and upon release. To combat
gang recruitment and recidivism among the intermediate prison
population (prisoners who attained the age of majority while
serving their sentences),fund a comprehensive education and
vocational training program for this group which is currently
housed in two separate, dedicated facilities. Estimated cost
USD one million.


11. (U) Pillar II: Public Security and Law Enforcement/Pillar
III: Community Policing. Support two full-time advisors for
the National Civilian Police (PNC): one would focus on
improving internal management and operations of the police
force, including management of the local precincts (along the
lines of INL Guatemala's model precinct program) and outreach
to the private sector for cooperative projects, while the
second would focus on strengthening the office of the
inspector general. This technical support, combined with a
fund to provide incentives for service on special task forces
as was so successful in the anti/kidnapping unit and "seed
money" to accelerate changes at the operational level and
customer service (e.g., small equipment purchases),would
greatly enhance responsiveness and performance of the police,
improving citizen confidence. Total estimated cost: USD 3.5
million.


12. (U) Pillar III: Prison Management. MS-13 and M-18 street
gang activity within the Salvadoran prison system is a major
nexus of public security threats. Street gang members
frequently use smuggled cell phones to orchestrate criminal
activity in both El Salvador and the U.S., while the
introduction of smuggled weapons and tools increases the
possibility of successful escape attempts. Provision of
security equipment such as x-ray machines, surveillance
cameras, body orifice scanning systems, state-of-the-art
central control consoles, long-range search lights and cell
phone jammers would enable prison authorities to more
effectively control the violent criminal street gang activity
radiating out from Salvadoran prisons, as well as decrease
the possibility that dangerous MS-13 and M-18 convicts will
escape into the community at-large. An investment of roughly
USD 500,000 would enable the Salvadoran prison system to
install much-needed security equipment upgrades at two major
prison facilities that house significant street gang
populations.


13. (U) Pillar III: Improving the Criminal Justice System.
Salvadoran officials expect a new criminal procedures code,
including rules of evidence, as well as other legislation
such as asset forfeiture, to be passed early in the next
calendar year. To ensure rapid and effective implementation
of the new criminal process, judges, court personnel,
prosecutors, police and public defenders must be trained in
new legislation, procedures, and importantly, rules of
evidence. Additionally, law schools must quickly adapt their
curricula to reflect new procedures and laws and equip new
attorneys with basic skills and understandings required to
appropriately advise and enforce the new laws. Technical
assistance and financial support for the intensive training
program will ensure high quality and rapid and broad
delivery. Estimated cost USD 5 million.


14. (U) As discussed in ref. A., para. four, post categorizes
El Salvador as strongly committed to the principals and goals
of the Merida Initiative, and very strongly disposed towards
coordinating aspects of regional security policy via SICA.


15. (U) The GOES provided additional input on priorities for
regional initiatives. These include the establishment of a
regional forensics training hub at the International Law
Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Santa Tecla, El Salvador. They
also noted that as El Salvador assumes the SICA presidency
they felt it was important to provide financial assistance to
the SICA Secretariat to support security plan oversight on a
regional level.


16. (U) As requested in ref. A., para. five, post met with
SICA Secretariat on December 6, and informed same that U.S.
embassies in Central America would be making bilateral
approaches to host-governments in advance of the December
11-12 SICA meeting in Guatemala. Post also encouraged SICA

Secretariat to work with the current and incoming President

SIPDIS
pro tempore in advance of the pending handover. The SICA
Secretariat reacted positively to the above demarche, and

SIPDIS
offered assurances of cooperation.
Glazer