INL-FUNDED ASSISTANCE IN ARGENTINA: 2007 END-USE

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000141 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR INL/LP - DIANNE GRAHAM E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: SNAR AFIN AR SUBJECT: INL-FUNDED ASSISTANCE IN ARGENTINA: 2007 END-USE MONITORING REPORT ¶1. Embassy Buenos Aires' CY-2007 End-Use Monitoring Report follows below: ¶2. PROCEDURES Post's Narcotics Coordinator does not have PD&S funding and as such is unable to fund on-site inspections or periodic spot checks to perform End Use Monitoring. The Coordinator has relied on DEA officers to assess appropriate usages of INL-funded equipment. Argentine law enforcement officials provide post with periodic updates on equipment. While this system of overlapping verification methods was deemed in the past the best possible end use appraisal system available given Post's resources, Post is currently reviewing its procedures to ensure they are fully consistent with INL guidelines. ¶3. STATUS The majority of INL-funded equipment is located in the northern provinces of Salta and Jujuy. All indications are that all provided equipment is being used for the intended purposes. No single case of inappropriate or unauthorized use was reported in 2007. In general, the equipment provided through INL funding continues to be used but with problems coming from advancing age and hard use. Many computers, vehicles, and radio equipment are near or well past their useful lives. ¶4. DOGS The two dogs provided to the Northern Border Task Forces (NBTF) in 1998 are healthy but old and have reached the end of their professional lives. The Government of Argentina bred six additional dogs for the program. The total force of six dogs allows the handlers to maintain a rotation schedule that ensures the safe and efficient use of the animals. ¶5. MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT One gas tank fiberscope and 20 digital cameras were purchased in 2006; the fiberscope was provided to the NBTF; out of the 20 cameras, sixteen were provided to Argentine counterparts and four are still to be distributed by DEA. Post continues to observe that both National and Provincial Police Forces make good use of the miscellaneous equipment (handcuffs, vests, flashlights, cameras, etc.) provided to them in previous years. ¶6. COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT Communications equipment has not been donated in the last few years. Radio transmitters provided to the NBTF require routine maintenance and repair. Many hand-held radios provided to Federal and Provincial Police throughout Argentina need to be repaired or replaced because of wear and tear resulting from routine use under harsh operational conditions. ¶7. COMPUTER EQUIPMENT Two laptops with networking system and 18 desktops were purchased in 2006 for use by the Northern Border Task Force (NBTF) and other GOA counternarcotics agencies. Delays in receiving the computers and mislabeling at the Embassy warehouse delayed distribution. Post is in the process of distributing the computers to the target agencies. ¶8. VEHICLES One Chevrolet double cabin pickup was provided to the NBTF in 2006 with INCLE funds. It was delivered and is currently in use by the NBTF. One Ford cargo van and one sedan were purchased in May 2006 with Andean Initiative funds. Both vehicles were delivered to and are being used by the Mendoza provincial police counternarcotics unit. Vehicles provided in previous years (1993-1997) already have over 200,000 kilometers on them and require fairly extensive routine maintenance on suspension, brakes and engine parts. A few vehicles purchased in 1989 have reached the end of their useful lives. In 2007 Post initiated the purchase of six sedan vehicles that are to be distributed between the NBTF, EBTF, and Federal Police. Post expects to receive delivery of these vehicles from the dealer in the next few weeks. ¶9. PROBLEMS Post lost its Narcotics Coordinator position in June 2006. These additional duties were assumed by the PolMil Officer. A lack of PD&S resources limits the Narcotics Coordinator's effectiveness in managing post's INL account. The ongoing political instability in neighboring Bolivia coincides with growing cocaine transit through and trafficking in Argentina. GOA Law Enforcement Agencies provide exceptional cooperation to Post agencies on counternarcotics issues, providing an opportunity to greatly improve the GOA's ability to combat drug trafficking. Lack of resources and dedicated personnel hampers Post's effort in this area. The Narcotics Coordinator has requested PD&S funding to conduct a comprehensive review of donated equipment, establish an effective end-use monitoring system and, ideally, fund an Eligible Family Member or Locally Employed position to help manage this important program. ¶10. IMPACT While the INL-funded program in Argentina is small, it continues to have a positive impact working in coordination with DEA's country programs, especially on the perennially under-funded Provincial Police Anti-Drug Units operating in the Northern provinces. In 2007, DEA established a NBTF-like operation in the Misiones Province (the Eastern Border Task Force - EBTF),near the Tri-Border Area with Brazil and Paraguay. INCLE funds will be used to support training and equipment for this operation, as it has with the successful NBTF (Northern Border Task Force). Argentine law enforcement agencies continue to report increased cocaine seizures over the past several years (final GOA figures for CY07 are not likely to be ready for several months). Post, led by DEA, has actively assisted local law enforcement in their counter-narcotics efforts. Drug seizures by GOA law enforcement agencies are up, including those resulting from complex investigations, indicating increased capacity on the part of these agencies. ¶11. Post's INL program is a valuable tool in implementing and advancing our counter-narcotics/transnational crime agenda with the GOA. GOA law enforcement agencies remain very focused on this agenda and look to Post agencies for advice and assistance in implementing their national drug plan. In the coming years, the INL program will be increasingly important in meeting USG counternarcotics objectives in Argentina and the region. WAYNE