SPAIN/BARCELONA CT HUB PROPOSAL: PRELIMINARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MADRID 000067

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR S/CT, EUR/FO, AND EUR/WE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2018
TAGS: PTER AMGT AFIN SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN/BARCELONA CT HUB PROPOSAL: PRELIMINARY
BUDGET NUMBERS FOR PROPOSED DEPARTMENT STAFF INCREASES

REF: 2007 MADRID 1914

Classified By: DCM Hugo Llorens for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (c)


1. (C) Per REFTEL proposal from Embassy Madrid and CG
Barcelona to create a counterterrorism and law enforcement
hub in Barcelona to improve US regional capabilities and work
with our Spanish hosts in the target-rich environment of
Catalonia, we provide rough estimates of the budgetary impact
of staffing new Department positions. These estimates are
based on the original proposal and could be revised as the
project moves forward. The hub will likely be built in a
piecemeal fashion, as the relevant USG agencies provide
staffing as they are able. The costs to non-State Department
agencies is unknown, and the actual costs may vary. On a
separate note, we understand that the Department may be
considering a site visit to the Consulate General to review
its ability to support the hub, and we look forward to
arranging a successful visit. We believe that 1-2 days spent
in Barcelona, followed by a stopover in Madrid to meet with
the DCM and members of the Mission's Counterterrorism Working
Group, would provide ample opportunity to discuss all aspects
of this field-driven strategy.



2. (C) //New Positions in Barcelona and Funding Required from
State Department Allotments)//


STATE-ICASS - 1 US Direct Hire (USDH) and 4 Locally Engaged
Staff (LES) = $340,000

STATE - 3 USDH = $351,708

Total estimated increase required in post-level funding =
$691,708


//Increases to Agency ICASS Invoices (as the Hub is staffed)//


DHS-CSI - 1 USDH = $54,148

DHS-USSS - 1 USDH = $55,822

STATE-PA - 1 USDH = $60,032

STATE - 3 USDH = $170,775

JUSTICE-FBI - 2 USDH = $107,095

JUSTICE-DEA - 2 USDH = $107,278

ICASS Redistribution Costs (shared on a pro-rata basis by all
agencies) = $136,825


//THE CASE FOR BARCELONA//


3. (C) The January 19 arrests in Barcelona of 14 individuals
suspected of being members of a radical Islamic terrorist
cell affiliated with Al-Qaeda and allegedly in the final
stages of preparing suicide attacks on city transportation
lines based in the heart of the tourist area, underscores the
mounting evidence that Catalonia is emerging as a theater of
operations for those who would threaten our interests and
national security. A confluence of terrorist networks and
organized crime syndicates involved in the contraband of
narcotics, human trafficking, money laundering, credit card
fraud, and document falsification continues to flow through
this region and will only strengthen in the coming years.
REFTEL provides a detailed profile of the rising threat in
Barcelona and describes how terrorists, narcotraffickers and
organized criminals have settled in the region to ply their
illicit trade. Barcelona is also home to one of Spain's
busiest ports and sees hundreds of thousands of U.S. tourists
each year. The port hosts some of the largest cruise lines
in the world, including the Disney Cruise Line this past
year. The USG needs an on-site ability to monitor and
coordinate with the Spanish to counter who and what is
passing through from areas such as North Africa, the Sahel,
and the Mediterranean. The multi-agency hub would both serve
to eliminate stovepipes within USG departments and agencies
and build host nation capacity to address the most serious
current threats to U.S. national security. The Consulate
General in Barcelona is the ideal site for this platform
because it has the space available, secure communications,
and a prime location. We look forward to working closely
with the Department and the US interagency team to help build
a strong and effective regional CT and law enforcement

MADRID 00000067 002 OF 002


operation in Barcelona.
AGUIRRE