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.

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Summary
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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.

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Growing Bilateral Cooperation
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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).

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Participants
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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.

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Comment
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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