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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0109/01 0171207
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 171207Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3096
INFO RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 5222
RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 5261
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 4851
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 5028
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ JAN RIO DE JANEIRO 1820
RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO 2711
RUEHMI/USOFFICE FRC FT LAUDERDALE 0899
RUEHMI/DELTACO MSGBN FT LAUDERDALE

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000109 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR DS/DSS, DS/DSS/IP, DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/SPC, 
DS/IP/OPO, DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/T/ATA, 
DS/ICI/CR, DS/CIS/PSP, DS/PSP/PSD, DS/CIS/IST, DS/EX, 
WHA/EX 
POSTS FOR RSO 
FT LAUDERDALE FOR CO/COMPANY D AND OIC/ESC 
 
E.O. 12958:    N/A 
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT:  QUARTERLY STATUS REPORT - BUENOS AIRES: 
OCTOBER-NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 2005, ACEQ, and OSAC 
CRIME/SAFETY REPORT 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY 
 
¶1.   (SBU) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS: 
 
¶A.   OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES: 
 
¶1.   SECURITY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: 
 
Security Upgrade Project XJ-01-8941 (210 meter anti- 
ram/anti-climb wall, 140+ FEBR windows, new Consular 
hardline, new consular fire exit, 60 minute generator 
room, miscellaneous grillwork): Accepted by OBO on 
December 8, 2005.  Incorrect fire exit door and a 
window and door lock damaged in shipment will be 
replaced by contractor in mid-2006. 
 
FE/BR Upgrade Project: KUK-Brown and Root Services 
have installed framework and some FE/BR material to 
replace Consular and Auditorium front entrances and a 
window over Post 1. 
 
¶2.   SUPPORT FOR VIP VISITS: 
 
SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS (POTUS/SECSTATE) Nov 4-5, 2005: 
RSO and FSNI traveled to Mar del Plata October 19 - 
November 6 to coordinate Summit security. 
 
In Buenos Aires, RSO provided security support for the 
visit of U.S. Army Chief of Staff Schoomaker and 
Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez, from Oct 30 - Nov 4, 
 
SIPDIS 
¶2005. 
 
Governor of Colorado - Nov 13-15, 2005 
 
¶3.   SIGNIFICANT LIAISON: 
 
OSAC/AmCham security committee met on the first 
Tuesday of October and November at Embassy Buenos 
Aires.  In December RSO hosted the annual lunch for 
OSAC/AmCham members at the American Club. 
 
RSO met regularly with Ministry of Interior, Federal, 
Provincial, and paramilitary police officials, and 
airport authority. 
 
¶4.   TIME CONSUMING INVESTIGATIONS: 
 
RSO Buenos Aires and Post ISSO investigated three 
leads sent by DS CIRT: 
 
CIRT lead # 521: RSO and ISSO collected evidence and 
forwarded the case to DS CIRT for further 
investigation.  DS/PR responded and has requested RSO 
to interview Subject of A/M lead. 
 
CIRT lead received November 2, 2005 (No case # 
provided): CIRT indicated a user was using 
unauthorized software on their machine.  CIRT lead 
stated (7090), UPX_PACKED_EXECUTABLE, Buenos Aires, 
CR. RSO and ISSO scanned user's account with negative 
results.  The user was counseled regarding the 
Department's acceptable use policy, per 12 FAM 623.1- 
1,2 . 
 
CIRT lead (No case # provided) received on December 
20, 2005: CIRT indicated a user was using unauthorized 
software on their machine.  CIRT lead stated (7543) 
UPX_Packed_Executable.  RSO and ISSO scanned user's 
machine and account with negative results. RSO did 
determine user attempted to download software.  The 
user has been counseled on the proper use of 
Department equipment, per 12 FAM 623.1,2 and statement 
was forwarded to Buenos Aires HR for action as per 12 
 
 
FAM 590. 
 
RSO Buenos Aires assisted DS/NYFO with a lead request 
for Subject PEIRANO, Basso.  Dec 6, 2005. 
 
¶5.   NON-ROUTINE OFFICIAL, BUSINESS, OR OTHER 
VISITORS: 
 
RSO met with security and other officials from the 
following organizations: US Secret Service, Air Force 
OSI, Army CID, USCG, ICE, Israeli Embassy, Lincoln 
School, Sheraton Hotels, CNI Insurance, Rockwell 
Controls, and IBM. 
 
RSO supported the following visits: 
 
- ESC Montevideo: Oct 14-21, Dec 4-8, Dec 20-21 
 
- US Secret Service: Oct 10 - 14, Oct 23 - Nov 7 
 
- OBO: Nov 22-30, Dec 4-10 
 
- DS Global ID: Nov 9-18 
 
¶6.   OTHER ACTIVITIES: 
 
New Arrival Security Briefing every Tuesday 
 
RSO FSN weekly staff meeting every Wednesday 
 
RSO Annual Leave: Nov 24-27, Dec 21-Jan 8 
 
ARSO Annual Leave: Oct 6, Oct 11, Nov 28-Dec 2 
 
ARSO TDY to Asuncion - Dec 8-18 
 
Floor Warden Training - Nov 15, 2005 
 
All emergency procedures updated and issued under 
Ambassador's signature in accordance with the Mollen 
ARB and 05 STATE 169851 
 
Arranged for 10 Argentine police representatives to 
attend ATA 5620 in Jan 2006 at ILEA Lima 
 
Marine Ball Nov 12 
 
Lincoln School International Day Nov 19 
 
Global ID implemented, 550 badges issued, Nov 14-18 
 
Site survey and collocation waiver request for 
Treasury OTA office 
 
EAP annual update 
 
EAC meetings: 
 
Oct 27 - Human Rights Abuse Allegations and Summit of 
the Americas (05 BA 2738) 
 
Oct 6 - Jeddah Lessons Learned and Marine Ball (05 BA 
2610) 
 
¶7.   SIGNIFICANT TRAINING OR LIAISON PERTAINING TO 
PASSPORT OR VISA FRAUD: N/A 
 
¶B.   MISSION WIDE EMERGENCY ACTION DRILLS: 
 
¶1.  CHANCERY 
 
Fire - Dec 23 
Bomb - Oct 26, (actual), Oct 4 actual), 
 
 
Emergency Destruct - Mar 31, 2005 
Internal Defense - Nov 4 (actual), Oct 28 (actual), 
Oct 12 (actual), Oct 1 (actual) 
Duck and Cover - Nov 22, 2005 
Warden System - Feb 11, 2005 
 
¶2.  OTHER THAN CHANCERY: None 
 
¶C.   CONSTITUENT POSTS: None 
 
¶D.   MSG ACTIVITIES: 
 
¶1.  DATE/TYPE OF DRILLS: 
 
Oct 4     Bomb Threat (actual) 
Oct 4     Internal Defense (actual) 
Oct 12    Internal Defense (actual) 
Oct 20    Internal Defense (drill) 
Oct 28    Internal Defense (actual) 
 
Nov 4     Internal Defense (actual) 
Nov 23    Intruder (drill) 
Nov 30    Orientation (drill) 
 
Dec 13    Duck/Cover (drill) 
Dec 23    Fire (drill) 
 
¶2.  GUARD SCHOOL ATTENDANCE: Weekly 
 
¶3.  VISITS OF HQ/COMPANY PERSONNEL: 
 
Oct 24-29   Co D Capt O'Reilly 
 
Nov 11-14   Co D Capt O'Reilly 
 
¶4.  TDY REQUESTS: 
 
Oct 19-Nov 7   SSgt Root TDY to Mar del Plata 
 
Nov 17-19      Sgt Vogele and Cpl Gehrke TDY to 
Montevideo, Uruguay. 
 
Nov 20         Sgt Calcagni departs Buenos Aires to 
Quantico to check out of the Marine Corps 
 
Nov 25-27      Cpl Doan and Cpl Levine TDY to 
Santiago, Chile 
 
¶2.   (U) THREATS AND INCIDENTS: 
 
¶1.  BUENOS AIRES 
 
¶A.  CRIMINAL ACTIVITY: (activity taking place in or 
within 1 mile of Mission neighborhoods) 
 
CITY OF BUENOS AIRES (Chancery/EMR/apartments located 
in Recoleta/Palermo/Belgrano neighborhoods): 
 
Oct 01, 2005, Larrea 1345, Recoleta: 2 suspects were 
detained after attempting to rob a store in the area. 
 
Oct 05, 2005: A man and woman were arrested in San 
Nicolas, Buenos Aires Province, suspected of stealing 
ATM cards in the BA neighborhoods of Belgrano and 
Villa Urquiza by affixing a device to ATM machines. 
 
Oct 5, 2005, Nicaragua 4940, Palermo: 5 assailants 
invaded an apartment and robbed the occupants.  The 
assailants used walkie talkies to communicate with 
a lookout. No suspects have been detained. 
 
Oct 06, 2005, 1430 hrs, Av. Cabildo al 500, Belgrano: 
3 men were arrested with a 9mm pistol when they 
 
 
attempted to rob a Bank Boston customer exiting the 
bank. 
 
Oct 13, 2005, 100 hrs, Juncal 3052, Recoleta: 3 armed 
minors robbed a caf and escaped with money from the 
register. No suspects where apprehended. 
 
Oct 18, 2005, Honduras 4160, Palermo: 2 juveniles were 
robbed in their apartment.  No arrests. 
 
Oct 21, 2005: Santa Fe 3996, Palermo. A robber 
pretending to make a delivery invaded and robbed an 
apartment.  The victim subsequently escaped and made 
his way to the police station. No arrest. 
 
Oct 26, 2005, 2100 hrs, Jorge Luis Borges 2126, 
Palermo: Guests at a birthday party were robbed by 3 
armed men who escaped with money, cell phones, and a 
vehicle. 
 
Oct 29, 2005, Libertad 1000, Recoleta: A 25 year old 
Slovenian was arrested for using fake credit cards to 
purchase high value items, including jewelry and 
artwork. 
 
Nov 01, 2005, Lafinur 3020, Palermo: 2 students were 
locked in a room while their apartment was robbed. 
There were no signs of forced entry and police believe 
that the perpetrators had keys to the apartment.  No 
arrests. 
 
Nov 04, 2005, Gorriti 5032, Palermo: A store owner was 
shot in the head and chest when he confronted 4 
robbers trying to enter his business.  2 suspects were 
arrested after a vehicle pursuit.  Police also seized 
several fake license plates. 
 
Nov 08, 2005, Fitzroy 2400, Palermo: 2 armed men 
robbed a real-estate office. No arrests. 
 
Nov 09, 2005, Cabildo 2215, Palermo: A minor attempted 
to rob a line of ATM patrons at a local bank. When 
confronted, he fled with money from an elderly woman. 
No arrest. 
 
Nov 16, 2005, an FSN's son received a virtual 
kidnapping phone call.  The son hung up and turned off 
the phone. 
 
Nov 24, 2005, Republica Arabe Siria 3330, Palermo: 3 
suspects attempted to rob a local restaurant but were 
surprised by police already inside the establishment. 
One suspect was shot in the head and the others 
escaped. 
 
Nov 24, 2005, 0100, Uruguay 1037, Recoleta: 4 suspects 
robbed an accounting office, taking documents, but 
leaving behind money and jewels. No arrests. 
 
Dec 07, 2005, Soler 5101, Palermo: 3 armed men robbed 
the cashier and customers at a caf.  No arrests. 
 
Dec 07, 2005, 0620 hrs, Migueletes 2251, Belgrano: 3 
home invaders, pretending to be police officers, beat 
two elderly victims.  A neighbor called police who 
arrested the perpetrators. 
 
Dec 14, 2005, 0430 hrs, Cuba and Monroe Street, 
Belgrano: Police surprised 2 suspects stealing a 
vehicle. One suspect was arrested after a pursuit 
which ended with the crash of the stolen vehicle. 
 
Dec 15, 2005, 1530 hrs, 1700 Cabildo, Belgrano: A 
 
 
woman notified police of a suspicious person sitting 
in a vehicle in front of her business.  When police 
approached, the person began shooting, injuring an 
officer and 3 pedestrians.  The suspect escaped. 
 
Dec 16, 2005, Las Caitas, Palermo: 2 gunmen robbed a 
supermarket and escaped on a motorcycle.  No arrests. 
 
Dec 17, 2005, an Amcit reported being robbed and 
having her passport stolen near a hostel in Recoleta. 
 
Dec 18, 2005, Olleros 2551, Palermo: 3 robbers 
unsuccessfully attempted to steal a computer from a 
a 
local business and fled in a company truck.  The truck 
was found abandoned several blocks from the scene and 
there were no arrests. 
 
Dec 21, 2005, Olazabal 3169, Belgrano: An 80 year old 
women was found stabbed to death in her bathtub.  No 
arrests. 
 
Dec 25, 2005, 1200 hrs, Emilio Ravignani 2200, 
Palermo: 2 armed men were arrested attempting to rob a 
home. 
 
Dec. 27, 2005, Cervino y Salguero, Palermo: Police 
arrested a man, after an exchange of gunfire, when he 
attempted to flee the pharmacy he robbed on a bicycle. 
 
Dec 28, 2005, Amenabar 2700, Belgrano: A retired 
police officer was killed and his co-worker injured 
resisting a robbery.  The two suspects escaped. 
 
Dec. 28, 2005, Rosedal, Palermo: 3 armed men attempted 
to mug an American tourist.  The tourist grabbed one 
of the muggers and used him as a shield.  The other 2 
suspects fled but were arrested by police. 
 
Dec 29, 2005, Santa Fe y Malabia, Palermo: A 17 year 
old man attempted to rob and rape a woman waiting at a 
bus stop.  The victim resisted and the man fled with 
her purse, but was arrested a few blocks away. 
 
PROVINCE OF BUENOS AIRES (Houses/schools located in 
Vicente Lopez (Olivos/La Lucila) and San Isidro 
(Martinez/Acassuso) Municipalities) 
 
Oct 04, 2005, Beccar, San Isidro, PBA: 2 teenagers 
kidnapped a 15-year-old boy at knifepoint.  The boy 
was raped and subsequently released for a ransom of 
US$200, a TV and a VCR.  2 suspects were arrested. 
 
Oct 08, 2005, Ricardo Gutierrez 1800, Martinez, PBA: A 
homeowner exiting his garage was surprised by 4 home 
invaders armed with automatic weapons.  A neighbor 
called police, who exchanged gunfire with the 
perpetrators as they left the house.  One suspect was 
wounded, but the other 3 escaped in a police vehicle. 
 
Oct 09, 2005: A report published by the Buenos Aires 
Provincial Ministry of Security noted that San Isidro 
has one of the highest aggravated crime rates 
(homicides, robbery, burglary and sex crimes) in the 
province. 
 
Oct 19, 2005, Martin Sturiza 555, Olivos, PBA: A 61 
year old woman was found murdered in her apartment. 
Police are looking for a domestic servant. 
 
Oct 26, 2005, 1130 hrs, Laprida 3399, Vicente Lopez, 
PBA: 3 armed men robbed the Banco Credicoop.  The CCTV 
system was non-operational at the time of the robbery. 
 
 
The suspects left behind a device that appeared to be 
a bomb, but which was later discovered to be a hoax. 
 
Oct 31, 2005, 1100 hrs, Ruta Panamericana, Vicente 
Lopez: Highway robbers in several vehicles attempted 
to hijack a goods escorted by a security company.  A 
truck driver and guard were injured in the shootout 
and a suspect was arrested. 
 
Oct 31, 2005, Ruta Panamericana y Ruta 202: A women 
and her son were carjacked.  Gendarmerie arrested the 
assailant alter being called by a witness. 
 
Nov 10, 2005, San Miguel, PBA: A folk religious leader 
was arrested for providing spiritual support and 
advice to the gang that kidnapped and murdered Axel 
Blumberg. 
 
Nov 11, 2005, Isabel la Catolica 868, Lomas de San 
Isidro, PBA: A businessman was stabbed by 3 home 
invaders who stole money and jewelry from his safe. 
Neighbors called police, but there were no arrests. 
 
Dec 4, 2005, Ezeiza International Airport: A Mission 
family member had a bag containing camera and 
electronic equipment stolen at the airport. 
 
Dec 08, 2005: BA Provincial Police raided over 700 
locations, including over 200 chop shops, arrested 498 
suspects, and seized 122 weapons and 397 vehicles 
without proper documentation. 
 
Dec 17, 2005, an Amcit visiting in-laws in Miramar was 
the victim of an armed home invasion.  The owner of 
the house was beaten to reveal the location of 
valuables.  Assailants appeared to be looking for 
money from a recent cattle sale. 
 
Dec 20, 2005: the son of the Defense Attache was pick- 
pocketed at a mall. 
 
Dec 22, 2005, Vicente Lopez, PBA: 2 suspects robbed a 
private courier and escaped with letters and bank 
documents. 
 
Dec. 27, 2005, San Lorenzo 2800, Martinez, PBA: 2 
elderly victims were robbed by 2 men, 2 women and 2 
children who tricked the couple into believing that 
they were friends of their daughter. 
 
¶B. OTHER SECURITY INCIDENTS: 
 
Oct 01, 2005: 100-125 protesters demonstrated against 
the visit of POTUS to Argentina for the Summit of the 
Americas, November 4-5.  There were no incidents and 
no injuries. (Buenos Aires Spot Report 10-01-05) 
 
Oct 04, 2005: At approximately 0710 local, the 
Argentine Federal Police received a telephonic bomb 
threat against the U.S. Embassy.  Marines were reacted 
and the Chancery was cleared at 0850. (05 Buenos Aires 
2479 and Spot Report 10-04-05) 
 
Oct 05, 2005: 250 protesters calling themselves LA 
COMISION ANTIIMPERIALISTA DEL SUR demonstrated in 
Lomas De Zamora against the visit of POTUS to the 
Summit of the Americas.  Protesters threw paint at 
several locations, including CITIBANK and BANKBOSTON 
branches, a McDonald's restaurant, offices of 
TELEFONICA, and the police.  (05 Buenos Aires 2529 and 
Spot Report 10-06-05) 
 
Oct 6, 2005: Several incendiary and arson attacks took 
 
 
place in and around Buenos Aires targeting U.S. 
business interests including Citibank, BankBoston, 
Chevrolet, and Blockbuster. Additionally, flyers with 
the word AL QAEDA were found at several other 
locations including the SC Johnson plant in Podesta 
and a Walmart facility near Don Torcuato. (05 Buenos 
Aires 2529 and Spot Report 10-06-05) 
 
Oct 12, 2005: 500-600 protesters demonstrated against 
the visit of POTUS to Argentina for the Summit of the 
Americas.  Protesters used a truck-mounted sound 
system, drums, and fireworks.  There were no incidents 
and no injuries.  (Buenos Aires Sport Report 10-12-05) 
 
Oct 19, 2005: At 0155 hrs, 2 small incendiary devices 
exploded outside the BankBoston branch at Calle 51 
652, La Plata (capital of the Province of Buenos 
Aires).  A third device was found and rendered safe. 
The explosion caused minor property damage and no 
injuries were reported.  Pamphlets left at the scene 
were signed by the group FRENTE CHE GUEVARA and were 
directed against the visit of President Bush for the 
Summit of the Americas.  (05 Buenos Aires 2664 and 
Spot Report 10-19-05) 
 
Oct 26, 2005: Argentine Federal Police received a 
telephonic bomb threat against the U.S. Embassy. 
Police began a superficial sweep of the Embassy and 
EMR perimeters, but stopped since they considered the 
call to be a prank.  LGF personnel checked the 
interior of the compound.  There were no personnel in 
the Chancery except for MSG at Post 1.  (05 Buenos 
Aires 2710 and Spot Report 10-26-05) 
 
Oct 28, 2005: Approximately 250 protesters 
demonstrated against the visit of POTUS to Argentina 
for the Summit of the Americas.  Protesters used a 
truck-mounted sound system, drums, and banners, and 
burned effigies.  No injuries or incidents occurred. 
(05 Buenos Aires 2736 and Spot Report 10-28-05) 
 
Nov 03, 2005, Cramer 2136, Belgrano: Students lit 
fireworks inside a local school in protest of 
President Bush's visit.  2 students were treated for 
smoke inhalation. 
 
Nov 4, 2005: Approximately 75-100 protesters 
demonstrated against the visit of POTUS for the Summit 
of the Americas.  Protestors used metal ladders to ram 
police barricades.  Barricades separated and 2-3 
protestors attempted to move through the opening 
before being pushed back by police.  (05 Buenos Aires 
2772 and Spot Report 11-04-05) 
 
Nov 6, 2005: Manager of the U.S. Olympic Women's Field 
Hockey team notified ARSO of a bomb threat at the Club 
Ciudad de Buenos Aires where the team was playing. 
(Spot Report 11-07-05) 
 
Dec 20, 2005, Plaza de Mayo, Congreso: Leftist groups 
protested in memory of their coworkers who died during 
the riots of 19 and 20 December riot in the Plaza de 
Mayo. 
 
¶2.  CONSTITUENT POSTS: None 
 
¶3.  (U) DS INITIATED INVESTIGATIONS: 
 
NUMBER OF CASES GENERATED BY HEADQUARTERS OFFICES 
          OPENED    CLOSED    PENDING   OVERDUE 
¶1. PSS     (40)      (35)       (5)       (0) 
¶2. VF       (0)       (0)       (3)       (0) 
¶3. PF       (0)       (0)       (1)       (0) 
 
 
¶4. CIL      (0)       (0)       (2)       (0) 
¶5. PR       (0)       (0)       (1)       (0) 
¶6. CI       (0)       (0)       (0)       (0) 
¶7. PII      (0)       (0)       (0)       (0) 
 
V-2003-00252 (Cuban Smuggling) 
V-2003-00172 (Consular Malfeasance) 
V-2002-00244 (Attempted Fraud at AMEMB Kiev) 
P-2003-02561 (Ecuadorian Child Smuggling) 
CIL-19 CR20-082003-122-0023 (Fugitive QUESADA, Hugo) 
CT08-0305-100-0452 
 
NUMBER OF CASES GENERATED BY POST 
                 OPENED   CLOSED   PENDING   OVERDUE 
¶1. FSN/PSC        (65)     (54)     (11)       (0) 
¶2. Other Agency   (49)     (49)      (0) 
 
¶3. Host Gov't RFA  (0)      (0)      (0)       (0) 
 
¶4.  (U) ACTION CABLES NOT ANSWERED BY DS: 
BUENOS AIRES 447 AND 1503, Requests for ATA Needs 
Assessment (S/CT and DS action) 
BUENOS AIRES 02246 Request for Replacement of 
Ambassador Follow Vehicle 
 
¶5.  (U) SUMMARY OF SEPARATE REPORTS: 
 
A)  CIWG REPORT: 
Cable: BUENOS AIRES 1107, Technical Threat Level 
Date:  May 5, 2005 
 
B)  EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN: 
Post:  Buenos Aires 
Date of Approved EAP: Mar 1, 2004, 04 STATE 45249 
Updated: Dec. 2005 
 
C)  SECURITY SURVEYS: 
Chancery - May 02 (next survey will be done on 
completion of project referred to at top of report) 
Embassy Mission Residence - Jun 05 
MSG Residence - Jun 05 
DOA Animal Plant Health Inspection Office - Oct 01 
DOA ARS Lab - Sep 02 
 
D) PROCEDURAL SECURITY SURVEY: 
Date: Classified E-mail to DS/IP/WHA Mar 16, 2004 
 
E) COMPREHENSIVE SPE INVENTORY: 
Cable: BUENOS AIRES 1180 
Date:  May 12, 2005 
 
F) RSO QUARTERLY TRAVEL REPORT: n/a 
 
G) ANNUAL CRIME EVALUATION QUESTIONAIRE (ACEQ) AND 
OSAC CRIME SAFETY REPORT 
Cable: This QSR 
Date: 
 
H) BUREAU OF DS OVERSEAS FIREARMS QUALIFICATION POLICY 
RSO ISAAC: Cable: BUENOS AIRES 1322 
-          Date: May 27, 2005 
 
I) SECURITY ENVIRONMENT PROFILE QUESTIONNAIRE (SEPQ) 
Cable: BUENOS AIRES 2373 
Date:  Sep 21, 2005 
 
¶6. (SBU) OSAC Overseas Country Council Status Report 
 
Key Events and Significant Activities 
 
Issues and Concerns 
- Attacks against American entities prior to and 
during the Summit of the Americas.  Members are 
 
 
 
concerned by the government's continuing policy of non- 
intervention against vandals and demonstrators. 
 
Outlook 
- January is the traditional holiday month and 
meetings will resume in February 2006. 
 
¶6.  (U) ANNUAL CRIME EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE (ACEQ): 
 
¶1. (U) CRIME MOBILITY: 
 
(F) Gangs and other criminal elements roam freely day 
or night, and target Emboff and affluent residential 
areas for burglaries and crimes of violence against 
residents. 
 
DISCUSSION: The Chancery, EMR, DCR, and Mission 
apartments are located in the Recoleta-Palermo- 
Belgrano neighborhoods of the City of Buenos Aires. 
Houses are located in the Vicente Lopez, Olivos, La 
Lucila, Martinez, and Acassuso neighborhoods, in the 
Municipalities of Vicente Lopez and San Isidro (also 
known as Zona Norte) in the Province of Buenos Aires. 
 
Well-developed road and public transportation systems 
make affluent neighborhoods easy to access, and cars 
and motorcycles are readily available.  Gangs often 
operate out of the numerous slums, known as villas, 
located throughout the metro area, including downtown 
and adjacent to Embassy housing neighborhoods.  Police 
are sometimes reluctant to enter these villas except 
during large-scale raids. 
 
During 2005, there were muggings, attempted muggings, 
vehicle thefts and break-ins, home invasions, 
restaurant raids, grocery store raids, and bank 
robberies in the Recoleta/Palermo/Belgrano areas 
downtown.  The beginning of 2005 saw a continuation of 
apartment and office building burglaries and invasions 
in Palermo and Belgrano neighborhoods.   In the Zona 
Norte suburbs (Embassy houses), burglaries, home 
invasions, and other armed robberies continued to be 
common.  Zona Norte is also considered the center of 
kidnapping activity. 
 
¶2. (U) CRIME AMBIANCE (Emboff neighborhoods are): 
 
(C) Within walking distance (approx one mile) of high 
crime areas, which are perceived as unsafe because 
street crime and residential crimes are common day and 
night. 
 
DISCUSSION: Recoleta, Palermo and Belgrano are known 
for muggings, vehicle and apartment break-ins, 
bank/business/restaurant raids, pick pocketing, and 
street scams.  While these are affluent areas, they 
are bounded by poorer neighborhoods, including vQas 
(slums) such as the notorious Villa Cava.  They are 
also transient areas, crisscrossed by major 
thoroughfares.  The large park areas of Recoleta and 
Palermo are notoriously unsafe after dark.  While much 
of Belgrano is still respectable, parts of it have 
declined due to the economy. 
 
Police attribute many of the crimes that occur in the 
Zona Norte house neighborhood to residents of the 
adjacent slums.  Zona Norte is considered a special 
case due to the extremes of wealth and poverty present 
in the same area.  The Embassy neighborhoods are the 
most lucrative and suffer accordingly. 
 
¶3. (U) AGGRESSIVENESS OF CRIMINALS (Criminal 
perpetrators usually): 
 
 
 
(D) Do not avoid and may seek violent confrontation 
with occupants during burglaries, and are not deterred 
by police response to alarm or emergency phone call. 
 
DISCUSSION: Victims of home and business invasions are 
threatened and beaten until they reveal the location 
of their valuables.  Businesses are often robbed 
during working hours when cash and valuables are more 
likely to be on hand.  Bank and armored car robberies 
frequently result in shootouts.  Shootouts with police 
or security guards daily, and a policeman is killed 
weekly as a result of criminal activity.  Hostage 
situations occur in varying degrees several times a 
week, in Greater Buenos Aires.  The only criminals 
that normally do not engage in violence are the street 
scam artists that prey on tourists.  Even pickpockets 
will pull knives if confronted by a victim. 
 
¶4. (U) ARMING OF CRIMINALS (Criminal perpetrators 
usually are): 
 
(C) Carrying firearms (handguns or shoulder weapons). 
 
DISCUSSION: Guns are readily available and any 
criminal willing to confront a victim is armed. 
Handguns are most commonly used, but sub machineguns 
and military rifles (available for sale or rent) are 
also used.  Police raids often recover grenades and 
explosives in addition to pistols, rifles, and 
automatic weapons.  Criminals also use real and 
simulated explosives to threaten people and cover 
their escape (approximately one-third of Federal bomb 
squad calls in the city of Buenos Aires). 
 
Also see answer to number 3 above. 
 
¶5. (U) AGGREGATION OF CRIMINALS (Criminal perpetrators 
usually): 
 
(C) Operate in groups of two or four individuals, are 
disposed occasionally to be confrontational and 
gratuitously violent. 
 
DISCUSSION: Official police reporting, news stories 
and anecdotal evidence indicate that criminals Qmost 
always operate in groups, with two to five being the 
average size.  Larger groups have been used in 
robberies of banks, warehouses or large stores.  In 
periods of civil unrest, mobs of dozens to two or 
three hundred people have looted grocery stores and 
warehouses.  Children, with adult backup, are used to 
confront other children and are used by gangs to 
commit many crimes due to the lenient juvenile laws. 
Victims are beaten if they hesitate to hand over 
valuables or have too little to steal.  Victims are 
often shot or stabbed if they offer resistance. 
 
¶6. (SBU) DETERRENCE/RESPONSE OF POLICE: 
 
NOTE: Separate responses for Capital Federal (Embassy 
apartments) and Province (Embassy houses). 
 
CAPITAL FEDERAL (PFA): 
(C) Local police or neighborhood associations are 
generally ineffective at deterring crime and response 
to alarms or emergency calls are often too slow (15 
minutes or longer) to disrupt burglaries or invasive 
crimes in progress in Emboff neighborhoods; police 
have a mediocre record in apprehending suspects after 
the fact. 
 
DISCUSSION: Despite reorganization, a large percentage 
 
 
of Federal Police resources are devoted to public 
order, internal security, and administrative 
functions, leaving fewer resources to patrol the 
streets and fight crime.  This is a result of both 
actual taskings (demonstration activity) and 
institutional attitudes.  The redeployment of 
policemen away from banks and back to street corners 
is believed to have contributed to an increase in bank 
robberies (along with more cash in circulation). 
Checkpoints are a favorite, but ineffective, crime 
fighting tactic.  Follow-up investigations are limited 
due to lack of resources and an overwhelming number of 
complaints.  Both Federal and Provincial Police are 
often unmotivated to pursue criminals due to a 
dysfunctional judicial system that operates in slow 
motion and sets many offenders free (including repeat 
offenders). 
 
PROVINCE OF BUENOS AIRES (BONAERENSE): 
(D) Local police or neighborhood associations are 
totally ineffective in deterring or disrupting 
burglaries and other crimes in Emboff neighborhoods, 
and seldom are able to apprehend or arrest suspects 
after the fact. 
 
DISCUSSION: Records for the municipalities where 
Embassy houses are located show an increase in 
reported crime for 2005.  The Province of Buenos Aires 
is larger than many European countries and has a 
population of over 10 million, but a police force of 
barely 45,000.  Despite several attempts at 
reorganization, a large percentage of provincial 
policemen are still assigned to administrative or 
guard duties.  Checkpoints continue to be a favorite, 
but ineffective, crime fighting tactic.  Despite 
purges and internal investigations, it is still widely 
believed that policemen are involved in much of the 
criminal activity, which discourages people from 
reporting crimes or providing information, further 
reducing the effectiveness of the police. 
 
¶7. (SBU) TRAINING/PROFESSIONALISM OF POLICE: 
 
CAPITAL FEDERAL (PFA): 
(B) Police are generally professional, reasonably well- 
trained, but may have resource/manpower limitations 
that inhibit their deterrence or response 
effectiveness. 
 
DISCUSSION: The PFA is reasonably competent and 
organized but suffers from low funding, overwork, weak 
leadership, and corruption.  Working conditions are 
difficult and dangerous.  Police are often less 
assertive than necessary due to the lack of clear 
policy guidance and political support from the federal 
government.  Serious intra-mural rivalries and 
resulting lack of coordination within the force are 
continuing problems.  Corruption purges in the last 
two years, with and without cause, damaged morale. 
 
PROVINCE OF BUENOS AIRES (BONAERENSE): 
(D) Police are somewhat unprofessional and ill 
trained; they are demonstrably apathetic to alarms and 
investigation of incidents in Emboff neighborhoods; 
they have serious resource/manpower limitations that 
inhibit their deterrence or response effectiveness. 
 
DISCUSSION: The BA Provincial Police are in the midst 
of a reorganization, which will take time to produce 
benefits.  The current force comes from a system based 
totally on seniority with virtually no professional 
development after basic training.  Provincial Police 
have even fewer resources, lower pay, and more 
E 
 
 
dangerous working conditions than their federal 
counterparts.  The Provincial Police continue to 
suffer from purges and from frequent turnover in 
senior professional and political management.  Serious 
intra-mural rivalries and resulting lack of 
coordination within the force are continuing problems. 
Corruption is a major problem. 
 
¶7.  OSAC CRIME SAFETY REPORT: 
 
¶I. OVERALL CRIME AND SAFETY: 
 
The primary threat to life and limb in Argentina, 
especially Buenos Aires, is a traffic accident.  The 
use of seatbelts is mandatory. 
 
Crime is a serious problem in Argentina, but one that 
can be managed with common sense precautions. 
Criminal activity is concentrated in the urban areas, 
especially Greater Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Rosario, and 
Mendoza.  The wealthier parts of metro Buenos Aires 
experience high rates of property crime, with high- 
income neighborhoods often registering twice as many 
complaints as some of the poorer and supposedly more 
dangerous parts of town.  In the countryside, there 
have been a few tourists robbed in isolated areas and 
occasional burglaries of hotel rooms in resort areas. 
Highway robbery largely affects commercial vehicles 
and hijacking of inter-city buses is uncommon. 
 
Urban crime includes: pick pocketing / purse 
snatching, scams, mugging, express kidnapping, 
residential burglary, home invasion, thefts from 
vehicles (smash and grab), car theft and carjacking. 
Short-term visitors to urban areas are subject to all 
types of street crime, but report few problems with 
public transportation or with four and five star 
hotels.  Long-term residents are subject to the full 
range of criminal activity on the street, while 
driving, and at home. 
 
Express kidnapping (short duration / low ransom) 
continues along with conventional mugging.  Extortion 
kidnapping for ransom has so far only affected well- 
off Argentines.  The true rate of kidnapping is 
unknown, but probably lower than in Brazil, Colombia, 
or Mexico.  Virtual kidnapping, a telephone scam in 
which the caller claims to have kidnapped someone who 
is simply not at home, continues to be rampant.  Such 
calls often come from jails and the callers ask for 
prepaid phone cards, which are a form of money inside 
prisons. 
 
Most criminals are armed and ready to shoot at the 
first sign of resistance.  In Buenos Aires policemen 
are killed every week.  Crimes occur at all hours and 
armed robberies often take place during business 
hours.  Favorite targets for armed robberies are banks 
and businesses dealing in cash or high-value 
merchandise.  Apartment invasions and burglaries are 
common, and occasionally entire buildings are taken 
over.  Criminals often go through neighborhoods and 
apartment buildings ringing doorbells and robbing 
those who open the door. 
 
Argentina is still considered a transit country for 
drugs, but local consumption is increasing. 
 
II. POLITICAL VIOLENCE: 
 
There are daily demonstrations in Greater Buenos Aires 
and frequent demonstrations in other major cities. 
Most protests are related to domestic economic and 
 
 
political issues.  U.S. interests are targeted based 
on current events, such as the war in Iraq, IMF 
negotiations, economic policy, or policy toward Cuba. 
The largest and most disruptive protests are usually 
sponsored by the "piqueteros" (a collection of groups 
whose main tactic is to block the road).  In Buenos 
Aires, demonstrations most commonly occur downtown and 
often end up at the Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, 
Congress, or the obelisk on 9 de Julio.  Protesters 
generally come from labor unions, 
unemployed/underemployed/landless movements, student 
groups, and communists.  While most protests are 
peaceful, there are hooligan elements that 
periodically show up to fight the police and engage in 
vandalism.  The Police are generally restrained unless 
attacked by hooligans.  In addition to the organized 
demonstrations, there are frequent, spontaneous 
protests by groups of displaced workers, bank 
depositors, unpaid pensioners, etc. 
 
Despite the poor perception of various USG policies, 
Argentines are friendly to Americans and visitors are 
unlikely to experience any anti-American sentiment. 
 
In recent years, there have been periodic pipe bomb or 
incendiary attacks.  During the past year, typical 
targets have been bank branches, municipal or public 
utility offices, McDonald's restaurants, and 
Blockbuster Video stores.  These incidents usually 
occur in the middle of the night and appear intended 
to cause only property damage.  A string of such 
attacks occurred shortly before the November 2005 
Summit of the Americas to protest the visit of 
President Bush. 
 
There is no known operational terrorist activity in 
Argentina, but the 1994 AMIA bombing and the tri- 
border area generate considerable interest.  The tri- 
border area is considered porous, but the known 
activity consists of fund raising and money laundering 
on the other sides of the border. 
 
III. POST-SPECIFIC CONCERNS: 
 
Argentina experiences occasional flooding along the 
coast, including parts of Buenos Aires, and in low- 
lying parts of the interior, such as Santa Fe 
Province.  Western/northwestern provinces, such as 
Mendoza, Salta, Jujuy, and Tucuman suffer from 
periodic earthquakes. 
 
Road conditions are good, but traffic is fast 
throughout the country and heavy in the big cities. 
Drivers are aggressive and the accident rate involving 
pedestrians is very high. 
 
IV. POLICE RESPONSE: 
 
Expatriates can generally expect better response and 
less harassment than in many other Latin American 
countries.  Individuals detained by the police should 
ask to contact their Embassy or consulate. 
 
Checkpoints are common, especially around Buenos 
Aires, and drivers must have all documentation, 
including passport or Argentine ID card, driving 
license, vehicle registration and proof of third-party 
liability insurance. 
 
POLICE EMERGENCY NUMBERS: 
 
CAPITAL FEDERAL POLICE:  101 or 4383-1111 through 1119 
Fire:  100 or 4951-2222, 4381-2222, 4383-2222 
 
 
 
BUENOS AIRES PROVINCIAL POLICE (suburbs): 9-1-1 
 
¶V. MEDICAL EMERGENCIES: 
 
CAPITAL FEDERAL (City of Buenos Aires): 
 
SAME: 107 or 4923-1051/9 
(Municipal Emergency Medical Service) 
 
HOSPITAL            ADDRESS                  PHONE 
Hospital Fernandez  Cervino 3356             4808-2600 
Hospital Aleman     Pueyrredon 1640          4821-1700 
Sanatorio Trinidad  Cervino 4720             4127-5555 
 
BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE (suburbs): 
 
HOSPITAL            ADDRESS                  PHONE 
San Isidro          JJ Diaz 818, San Isidro  4512-3700 
San Lucas           Belgrano 369, San Isidro 4732-8888 
Sanatorio Trinidad  Fleming 590, San Isidro  4793-6766 
 
 
VI. SECURITY TIPS: 
 
CARRY CASH: 100-200 US$ or 300-400 pesos.  The people 
most likely to be beaten are those without enough 
worth stealing.  If confronted, offer no resistance 
and immediately hand over everything demanded. 
 
NO ROLEXES. 
 
Stay in the well lit, populated areas.  Avoid parks 
after dark.  Be alert to pick pocketing in tourist and 
shopping areas. 
 
Do not flash large amounts of cash, or carry expensive 
looking bags, briefcases, or laptop cases in public. 
 
Do not carry all of your important documents in your 
wallet or purse.  Carry a photocopy of your passport. 
 
Use ATM machines located in public places like the 
hotel, shopping mall, or event venue.  If the booth 
has a door, make sure it closes behind you. 
 
If you are in a restaurant or other business that gets 
robbed, follow the instructions of the robbers and 
hand over valuables on demand. 
 
MUSTARD ON THE BACK SCAM: Unknown to you, a liquid is 
squirted on your back.  After a few steps, someone, 
often a middle-aged woman, will inform you that you 
have something on your back and offer to help clean it 
off.  Meanwhile, she picks your pockets.  This scam is 
common in tourist areas such as San Telmo, La Boca, 9 
de Julio, Recoleta, and Florida Street.  Fortunately, 
this is one of the least confrontational crimes, just 
say "NO" and walk away. 
 
Pay with exact change as much as possible.  If you pay 
for a small item with a large bill, you risk being 
shortchanged or getting counterfeit in change.  Only 
take pesos as change. 
 
Use credit cards only at the hotel and major stores 
and restaurants.  Watch your bills carefully for 
fraudulent charges. 
 
TRANSPORTATION 
 
Remises (hired car and driver) are the best public 
transportation.  They charge by the kilometer and are 
 
 
reasonably priced.  Hotels, many restaurants, and 
shopping centers can call one from an established 
service. 
 
Radio taxis are also OK.  Taxis are black and yellow 
in the Capital, and white with blue lettering in the 
Province. 
 
Avoid black and yellow taxis with the word MANDATARIA 
on the door, and do not take rides offered by people 
on the street or outside an airport. 
 
In order of preference:  a) Call for a taxi, b) take 
one from an established stand, c) hail one on the 
street (but not in front of a bank). 
 
USE the seatbelts, lock the doors, and keep windows 
up. 
 
Subways, buses, and trains are safe but watch out for 
pickpockets and be ready for work stoppages. 
 
Watch your bags at airports, bus, and ship terminals. 
 
DEMONSTRATIONS 
 
Demonstrations are a daily occurrence in Buenos Aires 
and other large cities and towns. 
 
In Buenos Aires, demonstrations often occur in the 
downtown plazas, and near commercial and government 
buildings.  Roadblocks (pickets) on major roads 
leading into the larger cities are also common. 
 
Protests range in size from dozens to thousands of 
participants. 
 
Most protests are peaceful, but may be loud due to 
sound systems, drums, and fireworks.  The burning of 
effigies and flags is routine. 
 
There are hooligan groups that will sometimes 
infiltrate protests in order to fight the police and 
engage in vandalism. 
 
At soccer games, sit in the expensive seats and do not 
wear the colors of, or cheer for, the visiting team. 
 
VII: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: 
 
Buenos Aires OSAC meets the second Tuesday of every 
month, February through December, at 1000 at the U.S. 
Embassy in downtown Buenos Aires.  The Regional 
Security Office can provide more information. 
 
AMERICAN EMBASSY: (54)(11) 5777-4533 
Regional Security Office   5777-4298 
Marine Post 1 (24 hrs)     5777-4873