END USE MONITORING REPORT

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000173

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

TO INL/LP DHOOKER, WHA/BSC MDASCHBACH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR AFIN PREL PA
SUBJECT: END USE MONITORING REPORT


1. (U) Embassy Asuncion's International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement (INL) program provided computer equipment, software,
vehicles, a construction project, and rent assistance to a variety
of Paraguayan government agencies in 2008, including the Anti Drug
Secretariat (SENAD),the Women's Secretariat for Trafficking in
Persons (TIP),the Specialized Investigation Unit (UTE) of the
Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC) for IPR issues, and the
Public Ministry's IPR unit.

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PROCEDURES
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2. (U) INL program assistant inspected INL donations to the Women's
Secretariat, SENAD and UTE and found all to be in use and good
condition. These were the first end-use monitoring inspections
performed by post's new LES INL program assistant. In addition to
the inspections, periodic host government reports were also used by
the INL Assistant to perform end-use monitoring.

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STATUS
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3. (U) All items provided to SENAD, UTE and the Women's Secretariat
are in good working condition except for a few items (e.g., military
boots, uniforms and walkie-talkies donated to SENAD) that were
identified as deteriorated due to normal wear and tear. SENAD has
requested that INL replace the deteriorated equipment at the
earliest opportunity. The GOP maintains INL-provided commodities in
Asuncion and several field locations including Ciudad Del Este
(CDE),Mariscal Estigarriba, and Pedro Juan Caballero.

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COMPUTER EQUIPMENT/FURNITURE
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4. (U) Previously-provided computer equipment and furniture to UTE,
SENAD, the Women's Secretariat, and the Public Ministry is in good
working condition and is being used for the purpose intended.

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VEHICLES
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5. (U) INL donated two 2008 Mitsubishi L200 pickups worth a total of
USD 44,000 to SENAD for operational and interdiction purposes in
August 2008. Both vehicles are at SENAD's headquarters in Asuncion,
are being kept in excellent condition, and are being used as
intended.


6. (U) SENAD has a total of 15 USG-donated SUVs ranging in model
years from 1996 to 2008. These vehicles are kept in good operational
condition and are currently in use by SENAD for operational and
interdiction purposes. INL provides maintenance services for all of
these vehicles through a contract with a local dealer. SENAD's
accident rate is very low; this year no serious accident was
reported and the insurance company covered all minor damage to the
vehicles which resulted from their use in operations.

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CANINE UNIT
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7. (U) INL funds support SENAD's canine unit, which employs 13 dogs.
INL purchases dogs for the program and provides veterinary care,
food, uniforms and training for the canine handlers, kennel
maintenance, and maintenance for one vehicle used for transporting
the canines and guides to the various check points throughout the
country. The canine units are housed in kennels located in Silvio
Pettirossi International Airport in Asuncion, in the International
Guarani Airport in Ciudad del Este, and at SENAD bases in Mariscal
Estigarribia and Pedro Juan Caballero. In 2008, the canines seized
53 kilograms of cocaine and 1,148 kilograms of marihuana, primarily
though interdiction operations in Asuncion's International Airport
and in Mariscal Estigarribia, which is near Paraguay's border with
Bolivia. All donated materials were being used as intended at the
time of inspection.

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LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
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8. (U) SENAD's laboratory is equipped with one auto-injector module
for eight sample turrets, an auto-sampler tray module and a
Chem-Station PC bundle system. This equipment was donated by INL in
2005 and is being kept in very good condition. While the drug lab
played a key role in several key convictions in past years, some lab
equipment needs spare parts and maintenance to sustain satisfactory
performance.

9. (U) The USG also purchased in 2004 an Agilent Gas Chromatograph
and Mass Spectrometer System (GCMS) and a Gas Chromatograph Flame
Ionization Device (GCFID) which support evidence processing in
criminal cases. This equipment supports investigations and helps
bring investigation standards closer to international standards.
All of the laboratory equipment is located in SENAD's base in
Asuncion.


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COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT
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10. (U) SENAD's communications equipment (walkie-talkies) is in poor
condition due to regular wear and tear and will need to be replaced.
In February 2009 SENAD and DEA agents discussed the possibility of
importing unused communication equipment previously assigned to the
DEA in Bolivia.

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IMPACT
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11. (U) The USG continues support the GOP's institutional capability
to combat and prosecute transnational and organized crime. All
SENAD office equipment, communications equipment, vehicles, canine
program and the new facility in PJC are aimed at bolstering
interdiction efforts and operational capabilities. SENAD continues
to make progress in the drug enforcement arena, including the
seizure of cocaine and marijuana and the disruption of important
drug networks that operate in the country.


12. (U) Our assistance to the MIC is dedicated to helping UTE
increase its ability to conduct operations in the tri-border area
and other strategic locations. Funding destined for the Women's
Secretariat focuses on trafficking in persons and covers the rent
for a shelter that can accommodate up to 20 women and girls who have
been illegally trafficked outside Paraguay. Staff members provide
victims with medical, legal, and psychological assistance.


AYALDE