CHILE: MILGP REQUEST FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING FOR THE

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000616 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR WHA/BSC, DRL, INR, PPC, PM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR MASS PREL PHUM CI SUBJECT: CHILE: MILGP REQUEST FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING FOR THE HARPOON WEAPON SYSTEM COURSE 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 Navy officers who have been nominated for 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 July 10. ¶3. (SBU) The proposed training is the Harpoon Weapon System Introduction and Operation Course, to be held at the Boeing Company, St. Charles, Missouri, between July 14 and August 28, 2008. 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. Rodrigo CASTILLO Pavez; Civilian; Systems Engineer; ASMAR Navy Shipyard, Talcahuano; 07/16/1960; Concepcion, Chile; 08.627.872-3. Mario ROJAS Munoz; Petty Officer First Class; Harpoon supervisor; Chilean ship FF Williams; 10/04/1964; Concepcion, Chile; 09.287.816-3. Carlos TORRALES Guastavino; Petty Officer First Class; Operations Department; Engineering and Naval Systems Directorate; 01/16/1969; Valparaiso, Chile; 10.767.286-9. Conrado GARRIDO Retamal; Petty Officer First Class; Special Projects; Engineering and Naval Systems Directorate; 02/19/1965; Tome, Chile; 09.958.441-6. Patricio MEDEL Alegria; Seaman; Chilean ship FF Williams; 02/16/1983; Talcahuano, Chile; 15.179.009-7. ¶4. (U) Post greatly appreciates the Department's assistance with this short notice request. Embassy's ongoing investigation has not found credible information that the candidates have been involved in gross human rights violations. URBAN