PORTUGUESE MOJ ON CAPE VERDE'S NARCOTICS/TERRORISM

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 001887

NOFORN

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2018
TAGS: PTER SNAR EAID PREL CV PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGUESE MOJ ON CAPE VERDE'S NARCOTICS/TERRORISM
THREATS

Classified By: POL CHIEF TROY FITRELL, REASONS 1.4 (B,D)


1. (C/NF) Summary: Portuguese Judicial Police leaders
briefed us on counternarcotics and counterterrorism efforts
in Cape Verde. They expressed concern that Cape Verde, West
Africa's example of a successful state, was under threat and
encouraged greater U.S.-Portugal cooperation to help the
Government of Cape Verde (GCV). In particular, they were
concerned about the arrest of a suspect in a recent terrorist
attack who spoke Cape Verdian creole, the first potential
link they had found between Cape Verde and terrorist
activity. End summary.


2. (C/NF) Portuguese Deputy Director of the Judicial Police
(PJ) Pedro do Carmo received new U.S. Ambassador to Cape
Verde Marianne Myles July 30 to discuss counternarcotics and
counterterrorism efforts in Cape Verde. Do Carmo expressed
concern that Cape Verde, West Africa's example of a
successful state, was under threat and encouraged greater
U.S.-Portugal cooperation to help the Government of Cape
Verde (GCV).


3. (C/NF) Do Carmo noted that although counternarcotics
efforts have been important for some time, recent events have
led the Portuguese to feel the need for counterterrorism
activities as well. He said a suspect in the recent killing
of six French citizens in the Sahara had been apprehended in
Guinea-Bissau. De Carmo said the suspect, of Middle Eastern
origin, spoke perfect Cape Verdian creole, which may imply
extended residence in Cape Verde. He said this was the first
link they had found between Cape Verde and terrorist
activity. In addition, he commented that the recent
discovery of a weapon's cache on an uninhabited Cape Verdian
island and the growth of Syrian and Lebanese communities in
Cape Verde were issues of concern to the Portuguese.


4. (C/NF) Do Carmo encouraged "pragmatic cooperation" with
the GCV. Do Carmo lauded existing training programs with GCV
institutions, but suggested that much of the efforts come to
naught as GCV officials have neither the equipment nor the
legal instruments to be effective and the training lessons
are eventually forgotten. The chief difficulty, he opined,
was the lack of a phone tapping system. The GCV legal code
authorized phone tapping ten years ago, but no system has
been acquired and installed. He suggested that while most of
the GCV is honest, the acquisition of such a system has been
stymied by figures who may have been co-opted by
narcotraffickers. Do Carmo believed that if a donor supplied
the system, the GCV would install and use it.


5. (C/NF) Do Carmo had faith in the Director of the Cape
Verdian PJ. While he said he had no illusions that every PJ
agent was honest, the institution as a whole was not
compromised. The Ministry of Justice Acting Director of
International Cooperation Antonio Folgado noted that GCV had
only two vessels, one of which was inappropriate for duty on
the high seas. Thus, he said patrolling its own maritime
territory was impossible for the GCV.


6. (C/NF) Folgado noted that Cape Verde had only four bank
branch offices and two insurance companies. Even in this
tiny financial sector, however, bank employees candidly told
Folgado's survey team that they were afraid to report
suspicious transactions to the GCV. Folgado was worried
about recent proposals to develop an off-shore financial
services area in Cape Verde and to open a casino. Both
developments, he suggested, would primarily benefit money
launderers. Folgado also cited the land registry -- or lack
thereof -- as a systemic weakness that aided money laundering.


7. (C/NF) Folgado and do Carmo each stressed that Cape Verde
is a success story and that they were citing weaknesses that
could derail that success. They believed it critical to
engage and strengthen the GCV now rather than wait until Cape
Verde is more like Guinea-Bissau.

Comment
--------------

8. (U) Trilateral cooperation in Africa has been a primary
objective of this mission for a few years now. We have
already achieved some successes with the Portuguese in Cape
Verde (PJ training),Guinea-Bissau (demining training),
Mozambique (border guard training),and Angola (commercial
law project). We would be pleased to engage the Portuguese
on behalf of any addressees who are interested in such
cooperation.

9. (U) Ambassador Myles did not clear this cable before
departure.
Stephenson