CHILE: MILGP REQUEST FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING FOR F-16

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001135 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/BSC, DRL, INR, PPC, PM, CD1D FOR BROWN, JOHNS SOUTHCOM FOR EVANS, FINLAY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR MASS PREL PHUM CI SUBJECT: CHILE: MILGP REQUEST FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING FOR F-16 ENGINE MAINTENANCE TRAINING COURSES Sensitive but unclassified. Please handle accordingly. ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraphs 2 and 3. ¶2. (SBU) Action request: Embassy requests the Department assist in conducting a Leahy Amendment Human Rights review, as well as a general name check, of the following Chilean Air Force officers who have been nominated to participate in U.S. funded training, pursuant to the Leahy Act and Foreign Assistance Act. Please transmit the results of such, including information not strictly covered by the Leahy Amendment, to Embassy if possible by no later than January 20, ¶2009. ¶3. (SBU) The proposed training is the F-16 Engine Maintenance Training Course, to be held at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, between January 23, 2009 and January 30, 2009. The name and identifying information of the proposed candidates appear in the following format: Name, rank, unit, date of birth, place of birth and national identification number. Rafael O. SALAS Alvear, Captain, Fifth Air Brigade, Chilean Air Force, 08/18/1977, Talca, 14.345.327-9 Omar A. PONCE Contreras, Airman First Class, Fifth Air Brigade, Chilean Air Force, 06/30/1980, San Miguel, 13.939.869-6 Renan A. MORALES Delannoi, Captain, First Air Brigade, Chilean Air Force, 12/05/1977, Santiago, 13.273.434-9 Juan HUIRCAPAN Martinez, Staff Sergeant, Chilean Air Force, 06/24/1970, Santiago, 11.639.055-8 ¶4. (U) Post greatly appreciates the Department's assistance with this request. Embassy's ongoing investigation has not found credible information that the candidates have been involved in gross human rights violations. URBAN