FBI DEPUTY DIRECTOR HIGHLIGHTS COOPERATION WITH CHILEAN LAW

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000549 SIPDIS STATE FOR R, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PTER SNAR KMDR KPAO OPRC CI SUBJECT: FBI DEPUTY DIRECTOR HIGHLIGHTS COOPERATION WITH CHILEAN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ¶1. SUMMARY: FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole met with the chiefs of Chile's police, National Customs Service and the Public Prosecutors' Office during his May 19-21 visit to Chile. The Deputy Director delivered Memorandums of Cooperation with each institution signed by FBI Director Muller, formalizing an already strong relationship with Chilean counterparts. Pistole also presented the keynote address at a conference in Santiago of FBI National Academy graduates from Latin American and the Caribbean. The visit of the FBI Deputy Director received positive media coverage, which noted the close ties between U.S. and Chilean law enforcement agencies. End Summary. ¶2. During a May 19-21 visit to Chile, FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole highlighted the cooperation and close ties his agency enjoys with Chilean law enforcement organizations. The FBI Deputy Director called on the head of the national uniformed-police, Carabineros General Director Jose Alejandro Bernales; Investigative Police (PICH) Director Arturo Herrera; National Customs Service Director Sergio Mujica; and Acting Director of the Public Prosecutors' Office Jorge Abbott. Accompanying the FBI Deputy Director were FBI Criminal Investigative Division Assistant Director Kenneth W. Kaiser and Office of International Affairs Assistant Director Thomas V. Fuentes. ¶3. The FBI Deputy Director delivered Memorandums of Cooperation signed by FBI Director Robert Muller to each of the four agencies he visited: Carabineros, PICH, Customs, and the Public Prosecutors' Office. During his meeting with Carabineros General Director Bernales, Deputy Director Pistole exchanged an additional agreement that features support for the South American Fingerprint Exchange (SAFE) Initiative. ¶4. Deputy Director Pistole also delivered the keynote address at a well-attended conference in Santiago of some 140 law enforcement officials, government representatives and private sector executives from more than 20 countries. Of the approximate 100 conference delegates, 70 were FBI National Academy graduates sent by their respective agencies to participate in the conference. ¶5. The FBI Deputy Director's visit received positive media coverage in several dailies, which noted the close ties between U.S. and Chilean law enforcement agencies. In an exclusive interview with El Mercurio, Pistole emphasized the need for all countries to cooperate and remain vigilant in the struggle against terrorism and organized crime. WEITZENKORN