EL SALVADOR REITERATES CONCURRENCE WITH 1206

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 000004 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR PM AND WHA/CEN SOUTHCOM FOR J5 E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/09/2017 TAGS: MARR MASS MCAP MOPS PREL PTER PINS ES PGOV SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR REITERATES CONCURRENCE WITH 1206 FUNDING PROPOSALS REF: SAN SALVADOR 1375 Classified By: Ambassador Charles L. Glazer, Reasons 1.4 (a),(b),(d),a nd (g) ¶1. (C) I am writing again in support of the following two 1206 funding proposals that relate to El Salvador. The two proposals for 1206 funding include: ¶2. (C) Four High Speed Interceptor Patrol Craft: Providing four high speed Interceptor Patrol Craft (along with trailer and vehicle to move them overland, repair parts and support, and training and operations maintenance) will give the Salvadoran Navy the capacity to interdict illicit trafficking routes at sea, preventing the exploitation of these routes by terrorists and human traffickers destined for the U.S. ¶3. (C) Equipping Counterterrorism (CT) Forces: Providing specific equipment and training based on recent assessment of current ESAF CT forces capabilities will enable the Salvadoran CT forces to better combat terrorists. This will contribute to the forward defense of the U.S. homeland by interdicting terrorists before they reach U.S. territory. ¶4. (C) COMMENT: The Interceptor Patrol Craft will be especially critical for countering illicit trafficking along the coastline of El Salvador, an area that has recently seen a dramatic rise in illicit activities and remains highly vulnerable without increased resources and capabilities for the Salvadoran Navy. Glazer