URUGUAY,S ANTI-DRUG CHIEF RECOUNTS SUCCESSES,

UNCLAS MONTEVIDEO 000449

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR INL
STATE ALSO FOR WHA/BSC KBEAMER
LA PAZ, BUENOS AIRES FOR DEA
BUENOS AIRES FOR DHS AND LEGAT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR PINR PREL UY
SUBJECT: URUGUAY,S ANTI-DRUG CHIEF RECOUNTS SUCCESSES,
SEEKS FURTHER COOPERATION WITH USG


1. (U) This telegram is sensitive but unclassified, and not
for Internet distribution.

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Summary
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2. (SBU) Ambassador Baxter met August 6 with Deputy Chief of
Staff of the Presidency and President of the
Counter-narcotics commission Jorge Luis Vazquez to discuss
options for advancing bilateral counter-narcotics
cooperation. Vazquez detailed GOU successes in the fight
against illegal drugs, described ongoing steps to strengthen
the GOU's anti-drug capabilities, and expressed interest in
deepened cooperation. Vazquez also confirmed his commitment
to signing the outstanding letter of agreement in September,
providing needed impetus to overcome the remaining issues in
the next few weeks. End Summary.

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Serious about the Drug Problem
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3. (SBU) Ambassador Baxter and DCM called on Uruguay's drug
czar Jorge Vazquez to urge an expeditious signing of the
pending bilateral Letter of Agreement (the "Assistance and
Cooperation Agreement of 2008 for Narcotics Control and Abuse
between the Government of the United States of America and
the Government of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay") and to
discuss other possibilities for anti-drug cooperation.
Vazquez responded positively regarding the LOA, saying "We
will get it done, with or without the lawyers." Poloffs are
working closely with Vazquez's staff and will strive to clear
the remaining bracketed text in the next several weeks.


4. (SBU) Vazquez gave the ambassador an overview of the GOU's
anti-drug successes and how it is working to strengthen its
hand in the fight against drug trafficking. Uruguay has put
in place a new money laundering regime practically from
scratch, and has been receiving good reviews from the
Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering in South
America (GAFISUD),according to Vazquez. Vazquez touted the
GOU's record of over thirty successful prosecutions for money
laundering since 2005, when the current administration
assumed power. Prior to 2005, no one had been convicted for
that crime.


5. (SBU) Vazquez also emphasized his efforts to strengthen
the ability of the courts to prosecute these crimes. He said
the GOU is developing two courts that are to be dedicated
specifically to cases of organized crime, with trained
personnel and simplified procedures. Vazquez noted that
several cases testing Uruguay's asset forfeiture regime,
which mandates that all proceeds from seized assets be spent
on anti-drug social programs and law enforcement, are in the
home stretch of the legal process, and will likely result in
the disbursement this year of around USD 5 million for
counter-narcotics work.


6. (SBU) Interdiction efforts by the police have already made
a big dent in traffickers' pocketbooks, according to Vazquez,
who said that one case initiated in Uruguay had resulted in
an approximate USD 100 million loss for an (unnamed)
international drug cartel. Vazquez also said that the GOU
plans to enhance port security via the purchase of two (2)
container scanners in the coming year to augment the coverage
provided by the one in place, and airport security via a
process in development that will review one hundred percent
of Montevideo's passengers, their baggage, and air cargo. A
new radar system will help the GOU detect small planes coming
into Uruguayan airspace.

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Vazquez's Approach
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7. (SBU) Vazquez attributed Uruguay's anti-drug gains to the
pragmatism of the current administration, which acknowledged
mutual suspicion between the incoming, leftist government in
2005 and traditionally more conservative elements of law
enforcement and the judiciary. The government worked hard to
build bonds of trust, and now counts the police as an ally.
Comment: The Embassy's law enforcement community has had a

particularly positive experience with Uruguay's dedicated
anti-drug unit (Direccion General de Represion del Trafico
Ilicito de Drogas) and its commander, Inspector Principal
Julio Guarteche. End Comment. Vazquez added that another
major factor in the GOU's success has been its understanding
of the importance of developing social partnerships within
the country and cooperative relationships with other
countries, including the U.S. Vazquez admitted that a number
of GOU entities struggle with corruption problems (he
mentioned the customs service and coast guard),but claimed
attacking such corruption is a GOU priority.

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Closer Cooperation with the U.S.
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8. (SBU) Ambassador Baxter noted Vazquez's understanding of
the importance of international cooperation in fighting drug
trafficking, and told Vazquez that the Embassy's law
enforcement team is working to identify the best tools to
assist Uruguay. Vazquez said that he "completely agrees"
with the need for expanded cooperation with the U.S., and
asked for a follow-up meeting to discuss specific areas. We
will likely hold such a meeting in early September, when
Vazquez returns from international travel.

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Comment
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9. (SBU) Vazquez is clearly proud of the gains that have
occurred on his watch, especially those that he sees as
strengthening institutional capacity and therefore
potentially benefiting Uruguayan society for years to come
(e.g., the courts dedicated to organized crime, his
empowerment of Uruguay's counter-narcotics unit). He appears
to take his responsibilities seriously, and recognizes that
Uruguay has serious vulnerabilities and that international
cooperation is the answer. End Comment.

Baxter