US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA8475

UNCLAS BOGOTA 008475 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR INL/LP 
 
E.O 12358: N/A 
TAGS: SNAR, PREL, MOPS, MASS, PGOV, CO 
SUBJECT:  COLOMBIAN AIR FORCE C-26'S 
 
1. Post has received a diplomatic note from the Colombian 
Minister of Foreign Affairs requesting assistance in the use 
of the two Colombian Air Force C-26 aircraft that were 
modified by the United States Government (USG) for air 
interception and surveillance. 
 
2.  Funding for these aircraft is currently included in 
INL's Air Bridge Denial (ABD) program.  The proposal is for 
the USG to fund operations, training, and maintenance while 
the Government of Colombia (GOC) funds fuel costs. 
Approximately 60% of the missions will be in support of ABD 
and approximately 40% for GOC counter-narcotics missions. 
Any events carried out by the C-26s involving aircraft 
suspected of illegal activity will be performed in 
accordance with the ABD Letter of Agreement.  The ABD 
Citation aircraft will have priority over the C-26s in use 
of ABD facilities. 
 
 
3.  Post endorses this request and requests INL concurrence. 
The proposal will put to work two aircraft that have been 
grounded since March 2005 pending USG-GOC consultations on 
funding and mission.  Having these aircraft available will 
expand the GOC's intelligence and surveillance capabilities 
and will free the ABD program's Citation from some of the 
surveillance/intelligence missions it currently must fly. 
The last ABD Certification Team recommended this approach 
for efficient use of the 
C-26s. 
 
4.  Post further requests INL advice on whether a USG reply 
via diplomatic note will suffice to ratify this agreement or 
whether a separate Letter of Agreement covering the C-26s is 
necessary. 
 
Wood