VZCZCXYZ0008
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #2149/01 3040802
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 310802Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9620
INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC
RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 6666
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 6876
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 0889
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 6546
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 2194
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 1663
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ OCT CARACAS 1570
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 1934
RUEHMT/AMCONSUL MONTREAL 0036

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 002149 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
MONTREAL FOR US MISSION TO ICAO LAURA FAUX-GABLE 
FAA NATIONAL HQ FOR CECILIA CAPESTANY 
TSA HQ FOR KIP HAWLEY AND JILLENE MACCRERRY 
 
SIPDIS 
PASS NSC FOR MICHAEL SMART 
TRANSPORTATION FOR BRIAN HEDBERG 
FBI FOR AMERICAS UNIT, OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS 
COMMERCE FOR EUGENE ALFORD 
TREASURY FOR MATT MALLOY 
PASS FED BOARD OF GOVERNORS FOR PATRICE ROBITAILLE 
US SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAIR PGOV CASC KCRM PREL KCOR AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: AIRPORT POLICE CHIEF DISCUSSES 
COUNTER-TERRORISM, U.S. TRAINING, AIRPORT THEFTS 
 
Ref: (A) Buenos Aires 2032 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  Summary:  The Ambassador's October 22 meeting with GOA 
Airport Police chief Marcelo Sain (protect throughout) focused on 
common counter-terrorism goals and the need to continue working 
together on airport security issues.  Sain thanked the Ambassador 
for recent FBI- and DHS-provided training in the United States and 
sought more as available.  Sain outlined his budget priorities that 
emphasize infrastructure and training.  The Ambassador expressed 
concern about recent thefts of high-value items in airport passenger 
baggage and its potential impact on visiting American citizens.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
Thanks for U.S.-provided Training; Offer for More 
------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) In a cordial meeting between the Ambassador and Marcelo 
Sain, the two sides reviewed recent FBI-sponsored briefings in the 
United States for senior PSA officials.  Sain thanked the Ambassador 
for the May 2007 training at FBI headquarters, the National Joint 
Terrorism Task Force, the Terrorist Screening Center, FBI Academy, 
and Miami International Airport's law enforcement interagency 
working group.  Sain and his deputy, Nicolas Rodriguez Games, 
attended these briefings with the FBI's Assistant Legal Attache 
(also present at the meeting).  Sain expressed interest in working 
with the United States in the future.  The Ambassador indicated that 
there would likely be future opportunities. Legatt cited a four-week 
training course at FBI Headquarters in March/April 2008 as a 
possibility. 
 
PSA Budgets and Accountability 
------------------------------ 
 
¶3. (SBU) Sain explained that a large majority of his resources were 
being funneled towards airport infrastructure and airport police 
training.  More specifically, money was being spent to improve noted 
vulnerabilities to terrorists such as unguarded tunnels underneath 
the runways and the organized theft rings. Sain said that the GOA's 
focus on the October 2007 national elections have impeded his 
agency's effort so far to make large-scale and needed changes. 
According to Sain, a key problem PSA faces is the lack of adequate 
funding to fully establish a police agency with aviation security 
responsibilities.  He confided that he felt PSA is not viewed as an 
important security agency within the government as are the federal 
police.  Sain noted the difficulties in providing police and 
aviation security services at the major airports is compounded by 
the many different entities (Customs, state-owned ground handling 
company Intercargo, and Immigration, among others) that have 
responsibilities at the airport, and partly as a result, relations 
have been strained (ref A). Note: Sain himself has come under some 
public criticism for his sometimes tense relations with these and 
other airport entities, as well as for his outspoken and 
confrontational response to criticism. 
 
Thefts at Airports Could Impact American Citizens 
--------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) The Ambassador raised the issue of recent reports of 
several high-profile thefts at the two major Buenos Aires airports, 
including Ezeiza International Airport.  The Ambassador said that 
this was a source of concern for American tourists.  The Ambassador 
noted his responsibility to protect American citizens and said that 
given the reportedly increasing incidents of thefts of passenger 
baggage, he had to consider the possibility of a formal notification 
to American citizens on this matter.  (This would be noted in the 
Consular Information Sheet.  The Ambassador has recently discussed 
this same issue with the Secretary of Tourism, the Minister of 
Interior and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, all to be reported 
septel.)  Sain said that baggage handling was primarily the 
responsibility of Customs.  During a discussion with the TSA 
representative, Victor Guardia, Sain explained that the 
certification of the baggage screeners was handled by customs and 
not by his organization.  He also expressed a desire to meet at a 
later time with TSA to discuss the process in more detail.  Sain 
believed there were organized theft rings in the baggage handling 
company, "Intercargo" and also theft involving other airport 
employees.  Sain said that they all needed to be cleaned up and that 
he fully understood the need of the USG to warn its tourists.  Sain 
himself had given interviews to the local media detailing his views 
of thefts by airport employees.  The Ambassador emphasized that the 
United States was willing to assist in any way possible.  Sain said 
he looked forward to further cooperation with TSA and other USG 
entities. 
 
Aid for Diplomatic Flights 
-------------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) The Ambassador expressed his gratitude for Sain's 
assistance in resolving recent problems encountered by U.S. 
diplomats with PSA officers attempting to inspect and search the 
C-12 support aircraft and its crew.  Sain was quick to apologize and 
assured the Ambassador that proper education and instructions were 
transmitted to PSA personnel at all airports.  The Ambassador also 
noted that a note from Sain could prove to be very useful in future 
problems of this nature.  The Ambassador also expressed his 
gratitude for the aid of Sain's deputy, Nicolas Rodriguez Games, who 
has been a reliable Embassy contact on a wide range for issues. 
 
Comment 
-------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) Sain expressed a willingness to work more closely with the 
United States on these important issues.  The Ambassador will 
continue to press Sain and other senior GOA officials regarding the 
reported thefts of items from passengers' luggage.  In the past 
week, the press reported that several airport employees were 
arrested for tampering with luggage. Post will also work with FBI, 
ICE, TSA and other sections on possible further training for PSA 
officials. 
 
KELLY