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. -------------- PROCEDURES -------------- ¶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. -------------- STATUS -------------- ¶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. -------------- COMPUTER EQUIPMENT/FURNITURE -------------- ¶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. -------------- VEHICLES -------------- ¶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. -------------- CANINE UNIT -------------- ¶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. -------------- LABORATORY EQUIPMENT -------------- ¶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. -------------- COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT -------------- ¶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. -------------- IMPACT -------------- ¶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