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UNCLAS STATE 001119 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PARM MASS EAIR ETTC PREL OAS PE
SUBJECT: SUBJECT: Combating Illicit Trafficking in Arms--GUIDANCE 
ON E-TRACE DISCUSSIONS WITH HOST GOVERNMENTS 
 
SUBJECT: Combating Illicit Trafficking in Arms - Joint 
Initiative--GUIDANCE ON E-TRACE DISCUSSIONS WITH HOST GOVERNMENTS 
 
¶1.  (SBU) This is an action request.  Please see paragraphs 5. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The United States would like to follow-up the efforts of 
the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Presidents 
recent call to ratify the Inter-American Convention Against the 
Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, 
Explosives and Other Related Materials (the CIFTA convention) by 
offering interested OAS Member States participation in the ATF 
eTrace program.  To encourage participation and develop momentum 
for this action, we would like to begin offering eTrace to all 
member States not yet participating and look to an event (or use 
the margins of an already scheduled event) to sign the Memorandum 
of Understanding (MOU) with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, 
Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).  After signing MOUs with the United 
States, the U.S. would conduct a day of orientation and training on 
eTrace for authorized users.  Currently, all seven countries of 
SICA and all CARICOM nations except Haiti have signed the eTrace 
MOU.  The U.S. is looking for the remaining OAS Member States to 
participate. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) ATF maintains the e-Trace online system to trace weapons 
used in or associated with crimes.  This system is a paperless 
firearm trace submission system and trace analysis computer module 
readily accessible via the World Wide Web (Internet).  This 
internet application provides the necessary utilities for 
submitting, retrieving, storing and querying firearms trace-related 
information relative to particular jurisdictions, thereby allowing 
for the systematic tracing of firearms that may have been recovered 
from crime scenes.  Analysis of firearms trace data can assist in 
the identification of firearms trafficking patterns and geographic 
profiling for criminal hot spots and possible sources of illicit 
firearms. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) E-Trace is being utilized by international partners after 
signing MOUs with the United States.  These memoranda grant 
partners access to the e-Trace system, set for the legal parameters 
for usage of the system, and authorize ATF to provide technical 
assistance to governments on the operation and use of the e-Trace 
system.  It should be noted that the MOU is NOT an international 
agreement in the legal sense; rather it serves as a users guide to 
remind participants of the 
sensitive nature of the firearms trace data submitted and provided. 
 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Action request for all addressees: Department requests 
Posts contact appropriate senior law enforcement authorities to 
reiterate our offer of participation in eTrace in order to identify 
traffickers and trafficking routes in the region.  Participation in 
the program requires each country sign a bilateral MOU with ATF in 
order to identify authorized users of the system  only authorized 
users will be granted authorization to utilize the system and 
receive operational technical support.  Post is requested to 
formally share the draft MOU text below and seek an agreement.  The 
English version is followed by the Portuguese and Spanish versions. 
Post may draw on the background information in paragraphs 2, 3 and 
¶4.  End action request. 
 
¶6.  (U) Begin Draft MOU 
 
Section I. Purpose and Authority 
 
This memorandum of Understanding (MOU) sets forth the conditions 
and understanding between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms 
and Explosives (ATF) and the Foreign Law Enforcement Agency 
(hereinafter the Participants), with the intent to establish a 
partnership with regard to policy and procedures relative to the 
access and utilization of eTrace services that is made available to 
law enforcement agencies by ATF. 
 
Section II. Background 
 
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is a 
law enforcement agency within the United States Department of 
Justice, dedicated to preventing terrorism, reducing violent crime 
and protecting the nation. In its efforts to enhance homeland 
security in the United States, ATF works collaboratively and in 
partnership with foreign governments and law enforcement agencies 
in order to assist friendly nations and allies in the fight against 
international criminal organizations whose criminal enterprise 
poses a threat to the citizenry and global peace. 
 
To combat this threat, ATF uses its unique capabilities, which 
includes eTrace. This system is a paperless firearm trace 
submission system and trace analysis computer module that is 
readily accessible through a connection to the World Wide Web 
(Internet). This internet application provides the necessary 
utilities for submitting, retrieving, storing and querying firearms 
trace related information relative to particular jurisdictions, 
thereby allowing for the systematic tracing of firearms that may 
have been recovered from crime scenes. Analysis of firearms trace 
data can assist in the identification of firearms trafficking 
patterns and geographic profiling for criminal hot spots and 
possible sources of illicit firearms. 
 
Law Enforcement agencies that make a commitment to comprehensive 
and systematic crime gun tracing will be able to effectively use 
the eTrace firearms trace information platform for developing the 
best investigative strategies for the reduction of firearms-related 
crime and violence. 
 
Section III. Scope 
 
This MOU addresses access to and utilization of eTrace, including 
the designations of primary and alternate points of contact (POCs) 
for the Participants to this MOU. The Participants points of 
contact are expected to follow the procedures set forth in this 
MOU. The Foreign Law Enforcement Agencys point of contact is to 
identify individuals within Foreign Law Enforcement Agency who 
require eTrace system access, periodically validate the list of 
users, and notify ATFs National Tracing Center (NTC) immediately 
in the event that it becomes necessary to revoke or suspend a 
users account. 
 
Section IV. Interagency Communications 
 
Unless otherwise specified elsewhere in this MOU, the Foreign Law 
Enforcement Agency and ATF intend to have a principal point of 
contact within each organization coordinate all communications and 
matters relating to this MOU. The designated points of contact 
(POCs) are as 
follows: 
 
ATF: 
Chief, National Tracing Center 
Address: 
244 Needy Road 
 
Martinsburg, WV  25401 
 
(800) 788-7133 
 
Designated ATF Contact 
Alternate ATF Contact 
Name: 
 
 
Title: 
 
 
Phone #: 
 
 
 
 
Host Government Entity: 
Foreign Law Enforcement Agency 
Address: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Designated Host Government Contact Name 
Alternate  Designated Host Government Contact Name 
Name: 
 
 
Title: 
 
 
Phone #: 
 
 
 
Section V. Procedures 
 
¶A. Foreign Law Enforcement Agency is to: 
 
¶1. Appoint a primary and alternate point of contact within the 
agency. 
The above appointed individuals are to be responsible for providing 
and maintaining a list of all personnel within their agency that 
will require access to eTrace. 
 
¶2. Complete Attachment A (Agency Approved eTrace Users) of this 
MOU. 
No individual is to be given access to eTrace without being listed 
on Attachment A as an agency approved user. 
 
¶3. Immediately notify the ATF National Tracing Center (NTC) in the 
event that an individuals eTrace account needs to be suspended or 
revoked. 
Such suspension or revocation might be necessary for any number of 
reasons, to include (but not be limited to): employee transfer, 
retirement, or release from employment. Initial notification for 
account revocation can be made by contacting the eTrace Customer 
Support Group at telephone number (304) 260-1540 
 
¶4. Refer any technical questions relating to the use, operation, or 
resolution of technical difficulties involving eTrace to the NTCs 
eTrace Customer Support Group at telephone number (304) 260-1540. 
 
¶5. Mail the original completed and signed MOU and pertinent 
attachments to the ATF National Tracing Center at the following 
address: 
 
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 
National Tracing Center Division 
244 Needy Road 
Martinsburg, WV 25401 
Attn: eTrace Customer Service Group 
 
¶B. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 
National Tracing Center, is to: 
 
¶1. Upon receipt of this signed MOU, initiate communication with the 
designated POC for the Foreign Law Enforcement Agency and provide 
detailed instructions on the process of requesting and receiving an 
eTrace user account. 
 
¶2. Review all applications for eTrace access in a timely manner and 
facilitate the provisioning of accounts to include relative user 
identifiers and passwords. Once accounts are activated, a 
representative from the NTC is to contact each individual user and 
provide them with their account information. 
 
¶3. Upon receipt of a request for account revocation, immediately 
deactivate the pertinent user account. 
 
¶4. Provide the Foreign Law Enforcement Agencys and ATFs 
designated POC with an annual (or upon request) listing of agency 
approved eTrace users for review and auditing purposes. 
 
Section VI. Conditions 
 
Both ATF and the Foreign Law Enforcement Agency acknowledge their 
understanding that the eTrace application is intended FOR OFFICIAL 
LAW ENFORCEMENT USE ONLY and may not be used for any purpose other 
than a law enforcement investigation or prosecution. 
 
The Participants acknowledge that the eTrace application may only 
be accessed and utilized from an official duty station and/or 
alternate task force location. An exception may apply under 
isolated and stringent circumstances, when eTrace can be accessed 
from an alternate location, specifically in furtherance of law 
enforcement activities. 
 
The Participants acknowledge that premature disclosure of certain 
firearms trace information can reasonably be expected to interfere 
with pending or prospective law enforcement proceedings. This law 
enforcement sensitive information includes data that can link a 
traced firearm to: 
the location of a crime; the Federal firearms licensee; retail 
purchaser or possessor of a traced firearm; or to firearms 
trafficking patterns involving a traced firearm. Therefore, Foreign 
Law Enforcement Agency may not disclose law enforcement sensitive 
firearms trace information generated pursuant to this MOU to a 
third party without the consent of ATF. Prior to the release of any 
sensitive firearms trace information to a third party, a 
Participant proposing such release is to notify the other 
Participant. 
 
The Foreign Law Enforcement Agency intends to notify the ATF 
international affairs office prior to the initiation of any 
independent international firearms trafficking investigation 
arising or developed from firearms tracing data obtained via 
eTrace. This critical step allows for the further collaboration of 
valuable investigative information and assists in ensuring the 
effectiveness and overall safety of investigating officers. 
 
The Participants acknowledge that a crime gun is defined as 
any 
firearm that is illegally possessed, used in a crime, taken into 
police custody, or suspected by law enforcement officials of having 
been used in a crime or act of terrorism. 
 
The Participants acknowledge that the ATF National Tracing Center 
is the central recipient and repository of all information entered 
into the eTrace application relative to crime gun recoveries. The 
Foreign Law Enforcement Agency is to make every effort to provide 
complete and accurate firearm trace-related information to include: 
recovery location, possessor information and associated 
individuals. 
 
 
Section VII. Conclusion 
 
It is the intent of the Participants that this MOU promote 
coordination, cooperation and the mutual conduct of enforcement and 
research activities relative to the eTrace application, which they 
expect to result in the successful prosecution of illegal firearm 
crimes as well as the development of an accurate picture of the 
illegal firearms market and the inception of new strategies to 
effectively interrupt this market and impact the rate of firearm 
related violence. 
 
This MOU is effective upon the date of the last signature by the 
authorized representatives of the Participants and is intended to 
remain effective until discontinued in writing by either 
Participant. 
Discontinuation by either Participant is intended to result in the 
revocation of all eTrace accounts provided under this MOU. This MOU 
may be modified by the Participants in writing. 
 
In witness whereof, the Participants have signed this MOU. 
 
-----Portguese---- 
 
{0>Section I. Purpose and AuthorityArtigo I. Finalidade e 
AutoridadeThis memorandum of understanding (MOU) sets forth the conditions 
and understanding between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms 
and Explosives (ATF) and the Foreign Law Enforcement Agency 
(hereinafter the Participants), with the intent to establish a 
partnership with regard to policy and procedures relative to the 
access and utilization of eTrace services that is made available to 
law enforcement agencies by ATF.Este memorando de 
entendimento (MOU) estipula as condies, acordos e entendimentos 
entre o Escritrio de lcool, Tabaco, Armas de Fogo e Explosivos 
(ATF) e o rgo de segurana pblica participante no exterior, 
(doravante denominados Participantes) e com este cria uma 
parceria em relao s normas e procedimentos referentes ao acesso 
e uso dos servios de rastreamento eletrnico disponibilizado pelo 
ATF aos rgos de segurana pblica.BackgroundAntecedentes 
 
{0>The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is 
a law enforcement agency within the United States Department of 
Justice, dedicated to preventing terrorism, reducing violent crime 
and protecting the nation.O Escritrio de lcool, Tabaco, 
Armas de Fogo e Explosivos (ATF)  um rgo de segurana pblica 
do 
Departamento de Justia dos Estados Unidos, dedicado a prevenir 
terrorismo, reduzir crimes violentos e proteger o pas.In 
its efforts to enhance homeland security in the United States, ATF 
works collaboratively and in partnership with foreign governments 
and law enforcement agencies in order to assist friendly nations 
and allies in the fight against international criminal 
organizations whose criminal enterprise poses a threat to the 
citizenry and global peace.Em seus esforos para aprimorar a 
segurana interna nos EUA, o ATF trabalha em colaborao e parceria 
com governos internacionais e rgos de segurana pblica para 
auxiliar pases amigos e aliados na luta contra organizaes 
criminosas internacionais, cujas atividades criminosas representam 
uma ameaa aos cidados e  paz mundial.To combat this threat, ATF uses its unique capabilities, which 
includes eTrace.Para combater essa ameaa, o ATF usa suas 
capacidades exclusivas, entre as quais o sistema de rastreamento 
eletrnico.This system is a paperless firearm trace 
submission system and trace analysis computer module that is 
readily accessible through a connection to the World Wide Web 
(Internet).Trata-se de um sistema informatizado de submisso 
de rastreamento e anlise de armas de fogo, acessvel atravs de 
conexo  Internet.This internet application provides the 
necessary utilities for submitting, retrieving, storing and 
querying firearms trace related information relative to particular 
jurisdictions, thereby allowing for the systematic tracing of 
firearms that may have been recovered from crime scenes.Esta 
aplicao da Internet fornece os meios necessrios para submeter, 
recuperar, armazenar e consultar informaes relativas ao 
rastreamento de armas de fogo com referncia a determinadas 
jurisdies, permitindo, assim, o rastreamento sistemtico de armas 
de fogo que possam ter sido recuperadas de cenas de crimes.Analysis of firearms trace data can assist in the identification 
of firearms trafficking patterns and geographic profiling for 
criminal hot spots and possible sources of illicit 
firearms.Dados de anlise de rastreamento de armas de fogo 
podem ajudar na identificao de padres de trfico de armas de 
fogo e na definio de perfis geogrficos de pontos ativos de 
crimes e possveis fontes de armas de fogo ilcitas.Law Enforcement agencies that make a commitment to comprehensive 
and systematic crime gun tracing will be able to effectively use 
the eTrace firearms trace information platform for developing the 
best investigative strategies for the reduction of firearms-related 
crime and violence.Os rgos de segurana pblica que se 
comprometem a rastrear armas de crimes, de forma abrangente e 
sistemtica, conseguiro utilizar a plataforma de informaes de 
rastreamento eletrnico de modo eficaz para formular as melhores 
estratgias de investigao para a reduo de crimes e violncia 
relacionados a armas de fogo.ScopeEscopo