US embassy cable - 04TEGUCIGALPA934

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEGUCIGALPA 000934 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR INL/LP, INL/ENT, AND WHA/CEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR, PREL, KCRM, EAID, PHUM, HO 
SUBJECT: CY-2003 END USER MONITORING REPORT FOR 
HONDURAS 
 
REF: A) STATE 741 
 
     B) 03 STATE 44195 
 
1. Since May 2000, the Political Section (POL) has 
managed and provided support for INL funded 
counternarcotics (CN) projects in Honduras.  In April 
2003, the assistance of a resident law enforcement 
advisor was added to the POL/INL section for more 
focused support of the projects.  Current operational 
projects are: 
 
1. Maritime (boat) Project 
2. Canine Project 
3. Container Freight Tracking System (CFTS) Project 
4. Elite Unit Project 
5. GOH CN agencies support 
 
2. POL/INL law enforcement advisor works as the INL 
programs coordinator and liaisons with the Government 
of Honduras (GOH).  Duties also include End Use 
Monitoring (EUM). 
 
3. Resources: POL/INL provides counternarcotics support 
directly to the following GOH agencies: 
 
A) General Directorate of Special Investigative 
Services (DGSEI) through the Frontier Police who are 
attached to the Ministry of Public Security. 
 
B) Joint Information Control Center (JICC) - attached 
to the Ministry of Public Security (MOPS). 
 
C) National Council Against Drug Trafficking - reports 
directly to the President. 
 
Project funds were disbursed to the above organizations 
for training, equipment, operations, and demand 
reduction. 
 
4. Procedures: EUM inspections are conducted on an 
annual basis with the organizations listed in paragraph 
three.  A complete inventory of donated equipment is 
also available at Post via digital photographs and a 
log of activities.  Training equipment and supplies, in 
addition to constant interaction and communication with 
referenced organizations, provides Post with the 
necessary feedback to determine that INL resources are 
being used appropriately. 
 
5. Status: CY-2003 was a project implementation year. 
Projects either entered into operation or were 
completed.  Status of projects is outlined below: 
 
A) Maritime Project:  two 36ft boats, and two 25ft 
boats are 80 percent operational.  Upon final repairs 
the boats will be assigned to the Ministry of Public 
Security.  This transfer is expected to occur during 
the second quarter of 2004. Maritime patrolling 
commenced in early February 2004. 
 
B) Canine Project (Frontier Police):  The Canine 
Project was transferred to the Frontier Police in July 
2003.  Fixed assets, such as buildings, and some mobile 
assets such as vehicles and trailers are pending final 
signature transfer.   Canines have been formally 
transferred to MOPS.  The Canine program is utilized in 
several border areas by the Frontier Police with 
positive results.  Additional training for the handlers 
and canines along with veterinary services, food, and 
supplies continue to be maintained by the INL program. 
 
C) Container Freight Tracking System Project:  This 
project is complete and has been fully operational 
since April 2003.  The Ministry of Public Security 
maintains and staffs this facility. 
 
D) Elite Unit Project:  This unit is fully operational 
and works directly with Embassy sections/agencies such 
as DEA, TAT, and POL/INL.  POL/INL and MOPS maintain 
the unit, with an office in Tegucigalpa and another in 
San Pedro Sula. 
 
E) Government of Honduras counternarcotics agencies 
support:  POL/INL assistance continues to MOPS, the 
Ministry of Defense, and the Public Ministry.  The 
level and type of assistance provided by POL/INL is 
determined by the project goals and funds available. 
Assistance includes equipment, technical assistance, 
and training. 
 
6. Problems: Post encountered problems with the DLCN, 
maritime (boat) and canine projects.  POL/INL is no 
longer supporting the DLCN, and the other two projects 
were turned over to MOPS and are currently operational 
and providing positive results. 
7. Program Changes: As previously stated, Post 
transferred the maritime (boat) and canine programs to 
the MOPS and is no longer supporting the DLCN. 
 
8. Impact: Post's projects have had a positive impact 
on the GOH's overall counternarcotics efforts.  A 
counternarcotics infrastructure is now in place capable 
of providing effective operational support.  Through 
constant monitoring and interaction, a sense of 
professionalism and accountability has been established 
with the GOH's counternarcotics organizations.  This 
has allowed resources to be more effectively utilized. 
 
PALMER