VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0337 0821734
ZNR UUUUU ZZH ZUI RUEHCB SVC 0117 0831134
R 231734Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3378
INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000337 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL ARM MASS ETTC OAS AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA RECEPTIVE TO U.S. PROGRAMS ON SMALL ARMS 
DESTRUCTION; SEEKS COOPERATION WITH ATF 
 
REF: State 8063 
 
¶1. Summary: Argentina Minister of Justice Fernandez wrote Ambassador 
March 2 in response to reftel demarche to describe current GOA 
programs to address illicit traffic in small and light weapons and 
to request specific collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, 
Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).  Minister Fernandez requested the ATF 
collaboration because the United States is the largest market for 
Argentine-exported small arms.  Embassy also received positive 
interest from Argentine armed forces and law enforcement agencies 
during a December 16-19 visit of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency 
(DTRA).  End Summary. 
 
¶2. Ambassador Wayne wrote to the Ministers of Foreign Relations, 
Justice, and Defense on February 5 to share the nonpaper contained 
in reftel.  Minister of Justice, Security and Human Rights Anibal 
Fernandez responded on March 2, describing Argentine programs. 
Fernandez' letter tracked closely with an internal communication he 
had received (and included for us) from Dr. Andres Matias Meiszner, 
Director of the National Arms Register (RENAR, which falls under the 
Ministry of Justice). 
 
¶3. Fernandez described the recent completion of Argentina's weapons 
purchase program, in which citizens could turn in firearms and 
ammunition under a general amnesty - and with payments for the 
weapons.  The program operated for approximately 380 days from 2007 
to late 2008 (details can be found at www.desarmevoluntario.gov.ar). 
 Under the program, according to preliminary numbers, over 104,000 
firearms and 747,000 pieces of ammunition were turned in, with over 
almost 53,000 of the weapons destroyed to date. 
 
¶4. Fernandez described other GOA efforts in the letter, including: 
an inventory of weapons in the hands of armed forces and law 
enforcement agencies; development of a national database; a process 
of consular legalization for arms exports; and various trainings for 
law enforcement agencies.  Fernandez also noted Argentina's 
ratification of the Interamerican Convention against the Illicit 
Manufacturing and Trafficking of Firearms and the UN Protocol 
against the Illicit Manufacturing and Trafficking of Firearms. 
 
 
¶5. Pointing out that the United States is the principal destination 
for small arms and light weapons' exports from Argentina, Fernandez 
supported Meiszner's suggestion that the RENAR and the U.S. Bureau 
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms exchange experiences and consider 
technical assistance programs.  In general, Meiszner voiced support 
for general cooperation with the USG in these areas as well. 
 
DTRA Visit 
---------- 
 
¶6. From December 16 to 19, Embassy Military Group supported an 
introductory visit by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to 
Argentina.  The visit allowed DTRA to brief Embassy elements on 
programs and to most importantly to reach out to Argentine services 
and agencies.  Among the specific calls were the Army Technical 
Institute, the Army Research and Development Directorate, the 
Gendarmeria (Border Guard) and Prefectura (Coast Guard), the 
Argentine Nuclear Regulatory Agency, and the NGO "Global Security." 
 
¶7. Argentine interlocutors were interested in further collaboration 
with DTRA, and future DTRA visit may explore the utility of various 
seminars and assistance visits, including: Customs Border Patrol 
Tracking and Trail Marking, Small Arms and Light Weapons Reduction 
Program, and the Nuclear Material Handling/Inspection or Executive 
Level Seminar.  Military Group is working to secure funding to 
support these programs and has scheduled a follow-on assessment 
visit by the Small Arms and Light Weapons Reduction Program for 27 
April 2009. 
 
¶8. Embassy Comment: Argentina has in many respects strong and 
effective controls over weapons belonging to the armed forces of law 
enforcement agencies.  Its Customs Service takes a professional 
approach to controlling the trade in weapons.  Despite relatively 
good standards, however, corruption and other institutional 
weaknesses can cause slippage.  Argentina's long and remote borders, 
moreover, are vulnerable to contraband.  Argentine citizens and 
independent analysts perceive a growing problem of violent crime 
associated with drug trafficking.  U.S. support aimed at addressing 
these challenges in Argentina is warranted and is likely to be 
received well. 
 
WAYNE