US embassy cable - 05SANSALVADOR2925

UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 002925 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DHS FOR CBP/ALEVY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON, ETRD, ES 
SUBJECT: WCO DEMARCHE DELIVERED, GOES CUSTOMS LOOKING TO 
IMPROVE TECHNOLOGY 
 
REF: A) SECSTATE 185713,  B) SAN SALVADOR 1749 
 
1. (U) Summary.  Econoff met with Hector Gustavo Villatoro, 
Director General of Customs to deliver the demarche on 
Implementing the World Customs Organization (WCO) Framework 
of Standards.   Villatoro confirmed he will sign the WCO 
Letter of Intent, but did not commit to a date.  Villatoro 
also reviewed plans for upgrading Customs' security systems 
at the country's borders.  End Summary 
 
2. (U) Econoff met with Hector Gustavo Villatoro, Director 
General of Customs in El Salvador, to deliver ref A 
demarche.   Villatoro worked on El Salvador's application to 
the WCO, to which they were admitted on July 7, 2005. 
Villatoro also received ref. B demarche. 
 
3. (U) Villatoro intends to sign the letter of intent, 
assuming approval by the Minister of Finance (Customs is 
part of MinFin), which he did not think would be a problem. 
He said this would be done as soon as possible, and promised 
to advise econoff as soon as the letter was sent to the WCO. 
 
4. (U) Villatoro used the opportunity to explain ongoing 
work on modernization and security measures.  He gave as 
examples El Salvador's integration with customs in Guatemala 
and Honduras, which allow for faster transit of truck 
cargoes across common borders.  Customs is currently 
negotiating to purchase non-intrusive inspection equipment 
to scan cargo at the borders.   The scanning equipment would 
allow them to inspect for contraband, drugs, and weapons 
without having to open each truck or container.  Villatoro 
said by having the government manage the use of the 
equipment, they would plan to keep costs for each inspection 
down to 8 to 10 dollars per truck versus 38 dollars charged 
by private operators in Honduras for this service. 
 
5. (U) Customs is working with CEPA, the port and airport 
authority, to share in the cost for the equipment and its 
use.  He expected that Customs would be responsible for 
purchase, installation and management of the equipment at 
the land borders of Hachadura on the Guatemalan border and 
Amatillo on the Honduran border.  CEPA would be responsible 
for the equipment at the seaport of Acajutla and the 
international airport, facilities they are currently 
managing.  This will ease the financial burden of purchasing 
the equipment on any one organization, and provide better 
overall security coverage. 
 
Barclay