Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MONTEVIDEO145
2009-03-13 16:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Montevideo
Cable title:  

URUGUAY 2008 END USE MONITORING REPORT

Tags:  SNAR AFIN UY 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0017
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMN #0145/01 0721629
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131629Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8879
UNCLAS MONTEVIDEO 000145 

SIPDIS

WHA/BSC FOR DASCHBACH
ALSO FOR INL/RM/MS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR AFIN UY
SUBJECT: URUGUAY 2008 END USE MONITORING REPORT

REF: STATE 127211

UNCLAS MONTEVIDEO 000145

SIPDIS

WHA/BSC FOR DASCHBACH
ALSO FOR INL/RM/MS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR AFIN UY
SUBJECT: URUGUAY 2008 END USE MONITORING REPORT

REF: STATE 127211


1. Summary: Post provides herein Embassy Montevideo's
CY-2008 End Use Monitoring Report in response to reftel. No
new equipment was purchased with INL funds in CY-2008. All
previously INL-provided material was used appropriately by
the GOU to effectively enhance counter-narcotics and law
enforcement efforts. End summary.

Inventory Management
--------------


2. EUM Program Coordinator: Erin Markley, 598 2 418 7777 ext
2429, markleyen@state.gov. RSO Bill Maxwell will coordinate
the inventories required for end use monitoring. DEA's
regional office in Buenos Aires will provide support as
needed.

Counterpart Agencies
--------------


3. INL funding has provided assistance over the years to the
following GOU agencies: the Directorate General for the
Repression of Illicit Drug Trafficking (DGRTID),the Coast
Guard (Prefectura),the National Drug Secretariat (JND),the
Central Bank of Uruguay (BCU) and the Ministry of the
Interior (MoI). For CY 2008, only the DGRTID was required to
provide an annual inventory report that specified the use,
status and location of all equipment supplied by the INL.
The Embassy maintained regular contact with GOU officials
throughout the year with regard to training opportunities,
drug seizure statistics, and equipment status in order to
assess how assets were being employed. All items provided are
in accordance with Memorandums of Agreement or Letters of
Agreement.

On-site Inspections and Secondary Methods of Monitoring
Resource Status
-------------- --------------


4. Emboffs conducted one on-site inspection at one
counterpart site on equipment purchased since 2003. The
unscheduled on-site inspection was performed on March 6 2009.
Post inspected all items available that had been purchased
in the last five years (equipment inspected was
computer-related and has an estimated useful life of no more
than five years). Approximately 50% of items were available
for inspection, as the other 50% are in use in the field, or
in use at other sites. Post regularly discussed the status
of INL-funded resources being used. Approximately 50% of
donated items were monitored through discussions.

Status
--------------


5. The U.S.-provided computers, monitors, printers and
servers were in good condition and operated with current
versions of software. These systems were used to cultivate
and analyze intelligence for the GOU's central
counternarcotics database. Older computers have been
restored and sent to police stations throughout the country
to improve communication and data sharing within the police
force. The computers were provided to the DGRTID in
Montevideo and their satellite office in Rivera, on the
border with Brazil. Other commodities include cameras and
digital scopes which were not monitored because they were in
use in the field.


Inventories
--------------


6. The only donated items that continue to have useful lives
are computers and their supporting equipment and small items
used to support field work such as cameras and digital
scopes.


Services
--------------


7. In 2003 INL funds supported public awareness campaigns on
the risks of drug consumption and how parents can talk to
their children about drug abuse. 2005 funds supported a
hotline for drug-related questions and emergencies.


Program Impact
--------------


8. INL funding has made a significant impact in the GOU
counter narcotics effort, particularly through improved
wiretapping and collection of evidence. Computer equipment
provided to the DGRTID has formed comprehensive information
networks that are improving data sharing between Uruguay's
drug enforcement agencies. The newly installed wiretapping
system and assistance with other evidence collection not only
allows more accurate interdiction but also amplifies the
cases against traffickers. Without INL funding and
assistance, many anti-narcotics projects would not be
possible in their current form.

Following are DGRTID's 2008 statistics for arrests and
seizures:

a) Individuals arrested: 2,280
b) Criminals prosecuted: 668
c) Internal market seizures: 1,058,416 kg of marijuana,
818,552 kg of cocaine, and 95,643 kg of cocaine paste.

Problems and Corrective Action Plans
--------------


9. GOU Officials have consistently accommodated Embassy
requests for information and post has documented any
accountability issues in previous reports. However, most of
the equipment to be monitored is computers, which blend well
with GOU-purchased equipment as well as with donations from
other entities. To remedy this, post will mark new
equipment donated so that it is identifiable for future
reporting officers.
Matthewman