US embassy cable - 05SANTIAGO615

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000615 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KSTC, EWWT, ECON, ETRD, PARM, PHSA, PREL, PTER 
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION AND OUTREACH ON 
MARITIME SECURITY 
 
REF: SECSTATE 38874 
 
1.  In response to Reftel, Post submits the following 
information regarding maritime security and coordination. 
 
2.  Maritime security issues are handled by Economic Officer 
Stephanie Acosta-Mikulasek (tel: 56-2-330-3394).  Depending 
on the maritime issue, other agencies at the embassy are 
often involved or take the lead. 
 
3.  Post contacts DHS, based in Buenos Aires, on maritime 
security issues on an ad hoc basis.  Post does not have a 
full-time coordinating mechanism such as a Maritime Security 
Coordinating Council, but utilizes the Law Enforcement 
Committee to discuss maritime concerns as they arise.  Post 
addresses maritime security in the FY 2007 MPP Border 
Security indicator under the Counter-Terrorism Performance 
Goal. 
 
4.  Maritime programs add significant value to Chile.  For 
example, the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture invited 
DHS/Customs to conduct seminars on Container Security for 
Chilean industry and customs brokers.  The Department of 
Agriculture has also conducted training on food export 
requirements mandated by DHS.  DEA works extensively with the 
coast guard component of the Chilean Navy on drug 
interdiction operations. 
 
5.  Coordination and communication amongst USG agencies could 
be improved.  Consultation between the USG and the Government 
of Chile (GOC) could also be improved, according to GOC 
contacts.  For example, a large variety of interrelated port 
security programs, such as certification of individual ports 
to the Container Security Initiative, are overseen by 
different agencies and therefore different POCs.  The GOC 
struggles to determine the appropriate POC for each 
individual aspect of projects.  The situation is complicated 
by the lack of a direct counterpart between the USG and the 
GOC.  Specifically, the DHS representative responsible for 
Chile, based in Buenos Aires, is sometimes unsure who is the 
proper counterpart on a given matter. 
 
6.  An additional challenge is the lack of coordination with 
the Mission by USG agencies not represented directly at Post. 
 For example, United States Coast Guard attaches, who do not 
report to the Department of Defense, have at times begun 
arrangements or negotiations with the Chilean Coast Guard 
without notifying Embassy staff. 
 
7. The GOC takes maritime security seriously due to the 
country's dependence on exports.  Generally the GOC is 
well-prepared and able to adapt to new USG regulations.  In 
addition, as the leader in security technology, the USG has 
ample opportunity for U.S. firms to participate in required 
security upgrades.  Post assisted the U.S. Trade and 
Development Agency in awarding a grant worth nearly USD $1 
Million for a feasibility study at Chile's two largest ports, 
Valparaiso and San Antonio, both of which are publicly 
operated and concessioned to the private sector. 
KELLY