VZCZCXYZ0023
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0141/01 0371448
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 061448Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0186

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000141 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR INL/LP - DIANNE GRAHAM 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: SNAR AFIN AR
SUBJECT:  INL-FUNDED ASSISTANCE IN ARGENTINA:  2007 END-USE 
MONITORING REPORT 
 
¶1. Embassy Buenos Aires' CY-2007 End-Use Monitoring Report follows 
below: 
 
¶2. PROCEDURES 
 
Post's Narcotics Coordinator does not have PD&S funding and as such 
is unable to fund on-site inspections or periodic spot checks to 
perform End Use Monitoring.  The Coordinator has relied on DEA 
officers to assess appropriate usages of INL-funded equipment. 
Argentine law enforcement officials provide post with periodic 
updates on equipment.  While this system of overlapping verification 
methods was deemed in the past the best possible end use appraisal 
system available given Post's resources, Post is currently reviewing 
its procedures to ensure they are fully consistent with INL 
guidelines. 
 
¶3. STATUS 
 
The majority of INL-funded equipment is located in the northern 
provinces of Salta and Jujuy.  All indications are that all provided 
equipment is being used for the intended purposes.  No single case 
of inappropriate or unauthorized use was reported in 2007.  In 
general, the equipment provided through INL funding continues to be 
used but with problems coming from advancing age and hard use.  Many 
computers, vehicles, and radio equipment are near or well past their 
useful lives. 
 
¶4. DOGS 
 
The two dogs provided to the Northern Border Task Forces (NBTF) in 
1998 are healthy but old and have reached the end of their 
professional lives. The Government of Argentina bred six additional 
dogs for the program.  The total force of six dogs allows the 
handlers to maintain a rotation schedule that ensures the safe and 
efficient use of the animals. 
 
¶5. MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT 
 
One gas tank fiberscope and 20 digital cameras were purchased in 
2006; the fiberscope was provided to the NBTF; out of the 20 
cameras, sixteen were provided to Argentine counterparts and four 
are still to be distributed by DEA.  Post continues to observe that 
both National and Provincial Police Forces make good use of the 
miscellaneous equipment (handcuffs, vests, flashlights, cameras, 
etc.) provided to them in previous years. 
 
¶6. COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT 
 
Communications equipment has not been donated in the last few years. 
 Radio transmitters provided to the NBTF require routine maintenance 
and repair.  Many hand-held radios provided to Federal and 
Provincial Police throughout Argentina need to be repaired or 
replaced because of wear and tear resulting from routine use under 
harsh operational conditions. 
 
¶7. COMPUTER EQUIPMENT 
 
Two laptops with networking system and 18 desktops were purchased in 
2006 for use by the Northern Border Task Force (NBTF) and other GOA 
counternarcotics agencies.  Delays in receiving the computers and 
mislabeling at the Embassy warehouse delayed distribution.  Post is 
in the process of distributing the computers to the target 
agencies. 
 
¶8. VEHICLES 
 
One Chevrolet double cabin pickup was provided to the NBTF in 2006 
with INCLE funds.  It was delivered and is currently in use by the 
NBTF.  One Ford cargo van and one sedan were purchased in May 2006 
with Andean Initiative funds.  Both vehicles were delivered to and 
are being used by the Mendoza provincial police counternarcotics 
unit.  Vehicles provided in previous years (1993-1997) already have 
over 200,000 kilometers on them and require fairly extensive routine 
maintenance on suspension, brakes and engine parts.  A few vehicles 
purchased in 1989 have reached the end of their useful lives. 
 
In 2007 Post initiated the purchase of six sedan vehicles that are 
to be distributed between the NBTF, EBTF, and Federal Police.  Post 
expects to receive delivery of these vehicles from the dealer in the 
next few weeks. 
 
¶9. PROBLEMS 
 
Post lost its Narcotics Coordinator position in June 2006.  These 
additional duties were assumed by the PolMil Officer.  A lack of 
PD&S resources limits the Narcotics Coordinator's effectiveness in 
managing post's INL account.  The ongoing political instability in 
neighboring Bolivia coincides with growing cocaine transit through 
and trafficking in Argentina. 
GOA Law Enforcement Agencies provide exceptional cooperation to Post 
agencies on counternarcotics issues, providing an opportunity to 
 
 
greatly improve the GOA's ability to combat drug trafficking.  Lack 
of resources and dedicated personnel hampers Post's effort in this 
area.  The Narcotics Coordinator has requested PD&S funding to 
conduct a comprehensive review of donated equipment, establish an 
effective end-use monitoring system and, ideally, fund an Eligible 
Family Member or Locally Employed position to help manage this 
important program. 
 
¶10. IMPACT 
 
While the INL-funded program in Argentina is small, it continues to 
have a positive impact working in coordination with DEA's country 
programs, especially on the perennially under-funded Provincial 
Police Anti-Drug Units operating in the Northern provinces.  In 
2007, DEA established a NBTF-like operation in the Misiones Province 
(the Eastern Border Task Force - EBTF), near the Tri-Border Area 
with Brazil and Paraguay.  INCLE funds will be used to support 
training and equipment for this operation, as it has with the 
successful NBTF (Northern Border Task Force).  Argentine law 
enforcement agencies continue to report increased cocaine seizures 
over the past several years (final GOA figures for CY07 are not 
likely to be ready for several months).  Post, led by DEA, has 
actively assisted local law enforcement in their counter-narcotics 
efforts.  Drug seizures by GOA law enforcement agencies are up, 
including those resulting from complex investigations, indicating 
increased capacity on the part of these agencies. 
 
¶11. Post's INL program is a valuable tool in implementing and 
advancing our counter-narcotics/transnational crime agenda with the 
GOA.  GOA law enforcement agencies remain very focused on this 
agenda and look to Post agencies for advice and assistance in 
implementing their national drug plan.  In the coming years, the INL 
program will be increasingly important in meeting USG 
counternarcotics objectives in Argentina and the region. 
 
WAYNE