US embassy cable - 05SANSALVADOR2542

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 002542 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, ES 
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR: HUMAN RIGHTS OMBUDSWOMAN ACCUSED OF 
FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES 
 
REF: A. SAN SALVADOR 321 
 
     B. SAN SALVADOR 547 
 
Classified By: DCM Michael A. Butler, Reasons 1.4 (b, d) 
 
1. (C)  SUMMARY:  The Ombudswoman for Human Rights (PDDH) 
Beatrice Carrillo stands accused of misspending up to 
US$26,000 of public funds.  Carillo's eccentric history of 
inept leadership and alleged instances of malfeasance lend 
credibility to the accusations.  There is little hope for 
improved accountability and credibility at the PDDH until the 
end of Carrillo's second term in 2007.  (Note:  The Office of 
the PDDH is filled by a two-thirds vote of the Legislative 
Assembly's 84 seats; the office's term is three years.  End 
note.)  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (SBU)  San Salvador daily El Diario de Hoy reported 
September 12 that Carrillo has been formally accused of 
misspending up to $26,000in public funds, and, although she 
has presented information to the Controller of the Court of 
Accounts, the case has moved to the second stage.  The 
allegations include the assignment of six vehicles for her 
personal use, a gasoline subsidy of $2,800 per month 
(equivalent to approximately 800 gallons per month of premium 
gasoline), payment of insurance fees for out-of-service 
vehicles, and inappropriate payment of overtime, without any 
evidence that the staff members in question actually worked 
the overtime.  In addition, on December 17, 2004, Carrillo's 
office paid $5,500 to publish a pamphlet which remains 
unprinted nine months later, pending action by the PDDH. 
 
3. (C)  The charges represent but the latest scandal in a 
long list of irregularities at the PDDH under Beatrice 
Carrillo's tenure.  During the investigation of the November 
2004 murder of American labor activist Gilberto Soto, the 
PDDH impeded progress in the case with unfounded and 
inflammatory allegations, as well as with attempts at 
supression of evidence that did not support the PDDH's pet 
theory that Soto's death was a politically-motivated 
"extrajudicial execution" (reftel A).  Credible accusations 
surfaced of witness-tampering attempts by PDDH officers, who 
allegedly tried to bribe key witnesses in the case with cash 
payments, employment opportunities, and immigration benefits, 
if they would perjure themselves in support of the PDDH's 
agenda (reftel B).  Since then, Carrillo's increasingly 
erratic behavior has included bizarre allegations that the 
Civilian National Police (which in poll after poll continue 
to enjoy citizens' highest confidence) represent a sinister 
threat to human rights, and that the administration's 
laudable efforts to prepare for Hurricane Adrian's landfall 
in May were "alarmist political grandstanding".  Carrillo has 
also gone on record as opposing the upcoming installation in 
El Salvador of an International Law Enforcement Academy 
(ILEA), which she characterizes as a "nefarious" threat to 
the nation's sovreignty. 
 
4. (C)  COMMENT:  Although Carrillo will likely dismiss these 
new charges as merely the latest calumny in a vast conspiracy 
against her, poor stewardship of resources has been one of 
the hallmarks of her leadership at the PDDH.  Carrillo hosts 
elaborate banquets at luxury hotels to mark the release of 
routine reports; the recent launch of her new "human rights 
network" included marching bands and miniskirt-clad dancing 
girls, although attendees were left in the dark as to the 
need, purpose, makeup, or mode of operation of the new 
network.  Regardless of the outcome of the case involving her 
office's alleged financial improprieties, there would appear 
to be little hope of Carrillo's stepping down prior to the 
end of her term.  END COMMENT. 
Butler