RELOCATING DEA PERSONNEL FROM BOLIVIA: CHILE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 001105 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR AR BO BR CI PA SUBJECT: RELOCATING DEA PERSONNEL FROM BOLIVIA: CHILE ONBOARD REF: A. STATE 130239 ¶B. MCMULLEN 11/03/08 E-MAIL Classified By: Ambassador Paul E. Simons for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) The Ambassador used a December 16 meeting of visiting CODEL Meeks to raise with Interior Minister (and Acting President) Edmundo Perez Yoma ref A demarche. The Ambassador - as well as Representatives Meeks (D-NY) and Hinojosa (D-TX) - noted to Perez Yoma the increased risk of narcotics flows into and throughout the region as a result of the Morales' government's decision to expel DEA agents from La Paz. The Ambassador asked Perez Yoma - whose Ministry is in charge of law enforcement matters in Chile - if the GOC could accept the relocation of two DEA personnel into Chile, noting that the Embassy had raised informally the possibility with working level contacts, who seemed amenable. Perez Yoma replied twice that he "saw no problem" with the request. Based on Perez Yoma's response, the Embassy will return to working level contacts to put the process of bringing the two DEA personnel into Chile, as requested ref A. ¶2. (C) Keyed to the action request in para r reftel, Post notes: a) The GOC has informally accepted the relocation of the specified number of DEA personnel to Chile; b) Post is willing and able to accept the number of DEA positions listed reftel; and, 3) Post is willing and able to accept such personnel (and dependents) for reassignment prior to January 29, 2009. SIMONS