US embassy cable - 05BUENOSAIRES225

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BUENOS AIRES 000225 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR, AR 
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA:  CY 2004 END USE MONITORING REPORT 
 
REF: STATE 238640 
 
1.  Due to the signing of a Letter of Agreement (LOA) in late 
September, Argentina received INL INCLE funding for the first 
time in nine years.  Post is actively working to subobligate 
this funding early in 2005.  In 2004, Post provided USD 
$1,430 for the maintenance of INL provided radio repeater 
equipment utilizing residual 1995 INL funding, and plans to 
reallocate all remaining prior year INL funding early in 
2005.  Post did not receive 2004 Andean Initiative Funding, 
but provided valuable equipment and training support 
utilizing prior year Andean Initiative Funds.  In 2004, Post 
provided 11 vehicles worth USD $114,747, computer equipment 
worth USD $11,788, and x-ray slides and narcotics test kits 
worth USD $3,426 to various GOA law enforcement agencies. 
 
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Procedures Used to Verify End-Use 
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2.   Post's INL narcotics coordinator does not have PD&S 
funding and as such is unable to fund on-site inspections, or 
periodic spot checks to verify end use monitoring.  The INL 
narcotics coordinator relies upon DEA Officers to assess 
appropriate usage of INL-funded equipment.  Also, trusted 
Argentine law enforcement officials provide us with periodic 
updates on equipment usage when requested to do so.  In 
addition, receiving agencies are requested to provide Post 
with a status report on INL-supplied equipment, although 
compliance continues to be sporadic at best.  Short of 
receiving PD&S funding to enable the INL narcotics 
coordinator to personally conduct end use monitoring, this 
system of overlapping verification methods is the best 
possible end use appraisal system currently available 
 
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Status 
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3.  The majority of the equipment and vehicles provided are 
located in the northern provinces of Salta and Jujuy, with 
some computer and communication equipment located with the 
successor unit for a defunct airport task force in Buenos 
Aires.  All indications are that all provided equipment is 
being used for the intended purposes, no single case of 
inappropriate or unauthorized use has been reported in 2004. 
The majority of the items listed on the current end use 
monitoring list are old or aging computers, vehicles and 
radio equipment, much of which is near or well past its 
"useful life."  A major priority for the INL narcotics 
coordinator in 2005 is the total overhaul of the end use 
monitoring system to eliminate items that have exceeded their 
"useful life."  For example, Post's end use monitoring list 
contains vehicles purchased in 1989, and while DEA and GOA 
officials attest that all the vehicles are accounted for, a 
great many of them are inoperable.  In general, the equipment 
provided through INL funding continues to be used, but with 
problems coming from advancing age and hard use. For example, 
radio transmitters provided to the Northern Border Task Force 
(NBTF) require routine maintenance and repair.  We will also 
have to repair or replace numerous hand-held radios provided 
to federal and provincial police throughout Argentina because 
of wear and tear resulting from routine use under harsh 
operational and climatic conditions. 
 
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Problems 
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4.  A lack of PD&S resources limits the INL narcotics 
coordinator's effectiveness in managing Post's INL account. 
With the signing of the LOA and the increased focus of the 
GOA on narcotics related issues, the INL program at Post has 
an opportunity to greatly improve the GOA's ability to combat 
drug trafficking.  The INL narcotics coordinator has 
requested PD&S funding to conduct a comprehensive evaluation 
of provided equipment in order to consolidate the listing of 
equipment needing to be monitored, and to re-employ an EFN 
employee hired to conduct the end use monitoring program. 
 
 
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Impact of INL Program 
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5.    While the INL-funded equipment program in Argentina has 
been a small one, it continues to have a positive impact, 
especially on the perennially under-funded anti-drug units 
operating in northern provinces.  The 11 undercover vehicles 
procured for various law enforcement agencies late in 2004 
will greatly increase the operational effectiveness of GOA 
law enforcement and replace INL provided vehicles that are no 
longer in service.  The equipment donated to the NBTF in 
Salta and Jujuy Provinces in 1998-2004 continues to be put to 
excellent use.  In 2004, the NBTF was involved in the seizure 
of 691 kilograms of cocaine, and 59,910 kilograms of 
precursor chemicals.  In addition, 139 traffickers were 
arrested by the task force.  The two dogs provided to the 
NBTF some eight years ago are healthy and being properly 
cared for by their handlers.  The original two have been 
joined by six more that were bred locally.  The total force 
of eight dogs allows the handlers to maintain a rotation 
schedule that ensures the safe and efficient use of the 
animals.  The new dogs and their trainers would benefit 
greatly from USG-provided training funded by INL. 
 
 
6.  Overall, our growing program gives us a valuable tool 
with which to pursue our joint counter-narcotics agenda with 
the GOA.  The GOA is currently very focused on its security 
and narcotics problems, and they have turned to Post for 
advice and assistance in creating a national security plan. 
In coming years the INL program will be essential to the 
GOA's efforts both to combat its growing narcotics 
trafficking problem and establish better control over its 
border areas. 
GUTIERREZ