EMBASSY MONTEVIDEO BRIEFS URUGUAY'S

UNCLAS MONTEVIDEO 000569 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR INL DIANNE GRAHAM STATE ALSO FOR WHA/BSC MARY DASCHBACH LA PAZ FOR DEA R.D. STENKAMP BUENOS AIRES FOR DEA,DHS AND LEGAT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR PINR PREL UY SUBJECT: EMBASSY MONTEVIDEO BRIEFS URUGUAY'S COUNTER-NARCOTICS PRINCIPALS REF: MVD 449 ¶1. (U) This telegram is sensitive but unclassified, and not for Internet distribution. - - - - Summary - - - - ¶2. (SBU) Following up the September 25th signing of a bilateral Letter of Agreement, Embassy Montevideo's interagency counter-narcotics team met October 7 with Uruguay's Counter-Narcotics Commission, headed by Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidency Jorge Vazquez. The U.S. side discussed existing cooperation, the extent of which appeared to surprise the Uruguayans, and offered our perspective on the drug-related challenges facing Uruguay and how both sides could best address them. The Uruguayans committed to conduct an internal review of the GOU's relevant capabilities and weaknesses and to share that information -- including specific needs -- with us. End Summary. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Growing Bilateral Cooperation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶3. (SBU) DCM led an interagency Embassy team October 7 to brief Uruguay's Counter-Narcotics Commission, headed by Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidency Jorge Vazquez and composed of vice ministers from relevant ministries as well as top officials from within Uruguay's drug-fighting agency (JND). On the U.S. side, Montevideo-based officers represented the Departments of State and Defense, while regional representatives based in Buenos Aires represented the DEA, DHS, and FBI/Justice. ¶4. (SBU) The meeting came on the heels of the September 25 signing of U.S.-Uruguay Letter of Agreement (the "Assistance and Cooperation Agreement of 2007 for Narcotics Control and Abuse between the Government of the U.S. and the Government of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay"). Vazquez kicked it off by recounting the GOU's anti-drug successes (reftel),and emphasized his belief that international cooperation is necessary to keep Uruguay's drug problems in check. The DCM explained our coordinated approach and introduced the team, with each member describing existing cooperative anti-drug efforts and pointing out expected challenges. Specifically: -- DEA explained that it can help with intelligence, the provision of software, and training. Conditions elsewhere in the region make probable the prospect of a permanent DEA presence in Montevideo, which would be helpful in addressing expected problems such as increased coca trade, and Mexican and other drug cartels dealing in ephedrine. -- DHS noted that its major concerns/areas of expertise are customs and contraband. Pointing to port security as a weakness, DHS explained that it too is examining the prospects of establishing a permanent residence in Montevideo. -- ODC highlighted three areas for assistance: Training (ODC receives USD 200k each year for training, and currently offers the Uruguayan coast guard/navy training in subjects such as port security and container inspection. ODC also offered the possibility of U.S. special forces CN-specific training in the future); Information sharing (e.g., expand the use of the existing Inter-American Naval Telecommunications Network (IANTN) for sharing of merchant shipping data); and technical assistance (specifically in terms of assistance by Connecticut Air National Guard technicians (State Partnership Program) in integrating a new radar system recently purchased by the GOU and expected to be delivered in 2009). -- FBI distributed a form to use for MLAT requests for investigative assistance, and noted that the FBI also has various task forces whose work could be of interest to the GOU. -- Poloffs explained that State-managed programs can provide equipment for counter-narcotics efforts, and support for demand reduction activities and a variety of training opportunities. The Embassy will also serve as a liaison with Treasury/OTA, which could provide technical assistance on money laundering. ¶5. (SBU) The GOU representatives remarked upon the cohesiveness of the interagency Embassy team, and mentioned steps the GOU has taken to improve its own interagency coordination. Vazquez thanked the U.S. side for the briefing, and noted that during our next meeting he will be prepared to discuss specific areas in which he hopes for closer cooperation. He also stated that he would be prepared with a prioritized list of the GOU's needs (a list he promised to keep short). - - - - - - - Participants - - - - - - - ¶6. (U) Uruguay: Jorge Vazquez, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidency, President of the JND and Director of the Council on the Fight Against Money Laundering; Carlos Bernal, Vice Minister of the Interior; Jorge Menendez, Vice Minister of Defense; Ricardo Perez, Ministry of the Economy; Ricardo Gil, Director of the Money Laundering and Terrorism Finance Council; Milton Romani, JND's Counter-narcotics Unit. U.S.: Robin Matthewman, DCM; Tony Grecco, DEA; Stephen Kleppe, DHS; George Boudreau, ODC; Chip Spencer, FBI; Alfred Schandlbauer, Political/Economic Counselor; Erin Markley, Political Officer. - - - - Comment - - - - ¶7. (SBU) With the signing of the LOA, Vazquez demonstrated that he can keep his commitments (he had said Uruguay would sign before the end of September). His promise that the next meeting will address specific GOU needs and areas for cooperation therefore augurs well for our goal of deepening the bilateral counter-narcotics relationship. Baxter