US embassy cable - 04BOGOTA12835

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 012835 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/17/2014 
TAGS: EAIR, SNAR, CO 
SUBJECT: TAMPA AIRLINES: PROCEED WITH CAUTION 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood for reasons 1.4 (b) 
and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary. Post has no objection to Ex-Im Bank's 
financing of a Boeing 767-300F cargo aircraft for Tampa 
Airlines based on currently available information.  Embassy 
recommends that Ex-Im proceed with caution, however, based on 
results of a recent meeting between DEA and Tampa Airlines 
and Tampa's subsequent cooperation.  End Summary. 
 
2.  (C) Embassy officers have evaluated the progress of Tampa 
Airlines as a result of a November 10 meeting between Tampa 
Airlines' president, general counsel, U.S. lawyer and 
MartinAir Holland's lawyer and DEA and ECON officials. 
During that meeting, DEA Bogota outlined major concerns with 
Tampa Airlines, specifically Tampa Airline's noncompliance 
with Colombian and DEA law enforcement activities.  Tampa's 
president, Fred Jacobsen, said he was unaware of this 
situation but adamantly stated he and Tampa Airlines would 
comply with any requirements DEA and the Colombian police 
have with Tampa Airlines.  Jacobsen acknowledged that Tampa's 
executive management control had been disconnected from 
Tampa's airport ground control personnel and stated he will 
personally monitor ground control operations in the future so 
that meaningful improvements will be implemented immediately 
to yield positive results in security.  DEA responded that 
although this new company position was encouraging, future 
action would be the final factor in determining meaningful 
results. 
 
3.  (C) Subsequent to the November 10 meeting, Tampa Airlines 
has made marked improvements in cooperating with the 
Colombian Anti-Narcotics police as well as with DEA Bogota. 
To improve ground control operations, Tampa Airlines has 
contracted an outside security firm to analyze its security 
operations in Cali in an effort to combat drug smuggling on 
Tampa airplanes. 
 
4. (C) It appears that USG scrutiny, especially Ex-Im's 
decision to delay financing for Tampa, resulted in Tampa's 
new cooperative attitude.  Although, at present, Tampa 
Airlines is willing to cooperate, Post recommends future 
dealings between USG agencies and Tampa Airlines take into 
account the continued level of cooperation Tampa Airlines is 
providing. 
WOOD