REVIEW OF NAS ASSISTANCE WITH VICE MINISTER OF INTERIOR

UNCLAS LIMA 001226 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR KCRM PREL PE SUBJECT: REVIEW OF NAS ASSISTANCE WITH VICE MINISTER OF INTERIOR ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In a meeting August 6 with Vice Minister of Interior Wilson Hernandez, NAS Director reiterated USG desire that in 2010 the GOP assume costs of fuel currently paid by NAS. The Vice Minister promised to raise the issue with the new minister, and inquired about several assistance issues. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) The main point the NAS Director stressed in the meeting was that the U.S. Congress is seeking for the countries to which INL provides assistance, such as Peru, to assume the costs of fuel that the USG currently pays for with assistance funds. The Director reminded Hernandez that he had raised this issue with the former Minister of Interior Mercedes Cabanillas, who had instructed the Ministry planning office chief to work on including provisions for covering program fuel costs in the Ministry's 2010 budget. Asked whether the new minister had been briefed, Hernandez responded that he would bring it to the attention of the minister. Director reiterated that it was a very important point for us. ¶3. (SBU) Also in relation to the fuel question, the Director brought the situation at the PNP base at Palmapampa to Hernandez's attention. The base, not connected to the electricity grid, runs on generators with the NAS paying for the fuel. The Director noted that while the need to incorporate the base into the local grid had been discussed with the commander of the base months earlier, and he had agreed work on the matter, nothing has happened. The Director emphasized that the status quo was untenable, and added that as one possible consequence we would have to look at moving the helicopters at Palmapampa to Mazamari if this situation continues. Hernandez promised to look into the issue right away. ¶4. (SBU) Hernandez inquired about the status of NAS assistance for two forensics laboratories for the Peruvian National Police (PNP) of continuing interest to the PNP and the Ministry. The Director responded that the planned assessment trip to Peru in July was postponed because of a scheduling conflict. Director noted that our expert nonetheless had begun to review the information provided by the Ministry and had offered some preliminary observations. Hernandez agreed that direct communication between our expert and the chiefs of the forensic s laboratories in the meantime would make the eventual assessment more productive. ¶5. (SBU) Hernandez also asked about the status of vehicles NAS would provide to the Peruvian National Police. He asked whether they would be restricted to counternarcotics use only. The Director responded that there is some flexibility in the numbers and types of vehicles we could provide, noting that more than 50 are in the procurement process, and that we envisioned the vehicles could be used for various law enforcement activities, not solely counternarcotics. In considering the possible procurement of additional vehicles, the Director said, it would be helpful to have information from the Ministry of Interior about the current PNP fleet and its condition, the number and types of vehicles needed (patrol cars, ambulances, trucks, etc.),how they will be used, and certifying the GOP will budget for fuel and maintenance of the vehicles. ¶6. (SBU) The Director noted that earlier this week he had met with the Mayor of Santa Maria del Valle in the province of Hu nuco to discuss the plan to build a police training school in his town. He had asked the mayor to set up a meeting for us with the regional president to coordinate the regional government's agreed contribution to the project. The Director noted to Hernandez that we would like something in writing from the regional president committing to using funds for the project at its initiation rather than upon completion of construction. Using the Peruvian funds at the beginning would be helpful, the Director explained, as the NAS proceeds with required steps that would take some months to complete. NEALON