US embassy cable - 05LIMA4704

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LIMA 004704 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR ECA/PE/V/R/W (EWILKES-SCOTT, DKEFFER), INFO 
WHA/PDA (SLEBENS), WHA/AND (JMONSERRATE) 
NEW YORK FOR ECA/PE/V/C/N (DSHIRREFFS) 
 
E.O.12958: N/A 
TAGS: OEXC, SCUL, KPAO, PE 
SUBJECT: PROGRAM EVALUATION: FY-2005 RP: "COUNTERTERRORISM AND 
INTERNATIONAL CRIME ISSUES" (November 15-December 3, 2004) 
Peruvian IV Ismael Ruben VARGAS 
 
1. DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITY:  The program was designed to 
introduce participants to initiatives employed in the United 
States to fight terrorism and international crime.  Participants 
traveled to three different regions of the country and focused on 
topics including financial crime, border and cargo security, and 
investigation and prosecution of alleged terrorists. 
 
2. DATE, FISCAL YEAR AND QUARTER: November 15-December 3, 2004, 
FY-2005; First Quarter. 
 
3. MISSION PERFORMANCE PLAN THEME:  MPP:  International Crime 
(Law Enforcement, Judicial Institutions). 
 
4. RESULT/IMPACT: Excellent.  This program allowed IV Vargas to 
become more familiar with U.S. policy on security and the methods 
used by the justice sectors to fight international crime issues. 
IV Vargas was impressed by the U.S. citizens' willingness to 
fight this invisible enemy.  IV met U.S. and Latin American 
officials, in the public and private sectors, who share the same 
interest in these difficult issues and who willingly gave 
information and criteria on how to confront this global threat. 
 
5. AUDIENCE REACHED:  Eighteen participants from thirteen 
countries from Latin America. 
 
At present, IV Vargas is an advisor to Peruvian Government 
institutions and private organizations on security and counter- 
narcotics issues. He mentioned that "the knowledge and 
experiences obtained in the IV program gave him the tools to do a 
better job" and is now reaching a small, but specialized, 
audience. 
 
6. OFFICER INTERPRETERS:  IV Vargas commended the Escort/ 
Interpreters' professionalism, their patience, friendliness, and 
great assistance during the whole program. 
 
7. QUALITY OF SUPPORT FROM ECA:  Program was funded with FY-05 IV 
allocation.  We thank PO Mr. Don Keffer and the Academy for 
Educational Development for the excellent organization, 
coordination, and for briefing our participant on every program 
detail. 
 
8. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAM: 
-- Having met Latin American and U.S. colleagues interested in 
the same issues, to exchange ideas, and share information on 
their countries. 
-- At the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Center for 
Terrorism and Public Safety, Director Charles Strozier 
addressed the visitors on his evaluation of the root causes 
of the current brand of terrorism that has been directed 
toward the U.S. and the West in general, and the successes and 
failures of the current administration's war on terrorism. 
-- The meeting at the Joint Terrorism Task Force (FBI and NYPD) 
was one of the most comprehensive meetings of the whole program. 
They discussed how different forces have worked together to 
combat terrorism before and after the 9/11 attacks. 
-- IV Vargas expressed warm compliments to the gracious hosts who 
hosted a Thanksgiving dinner in Los Angeles. 
-- On the cultural side, visiting Universal Studies in Los 
Angeles and attending a Broadway show in New York were 
outstanding. 
 
SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT: 
 
-- IV mentioned that the program held at Oklahoma City was 
meager. The lecturer on terrorism in Latin America at the 
Oklahoma City National Memorial did not have the fundamental 
knowledge about terrorist groups in Peru and Colombia, mentioning 
"those were rebel groups for liberation."  IV Vargas did not 
agree with this statement and spoke up, expressing his 
disagreement. 
-- Vargas thought that the Oklahoma City National Memorial 
reflected the insanity of terrorism.  But, in the IV's opinion, 
"The memory of the victims should be respected," and he 
questioned whether it is necessary to have a shop in the museum 
selling replicas of objects from the victims, or `souvenirs' of 
the terrorist attacks.  IV believes that this offends the memory 
of the victims. "With things like this someone is taking 
advantage of other's sorrow.  If funds are needed, I think that 
in the U.S. there are thousands of ways to raise them." 
-- For further information programs, IV suggests shortening some 
of the visits, like the one to San Diego, CA, and prioritizing 
the experts' lectures. 
 
9. LONG-TERM RESULTS:  IV Vargas has an ongoing network with the 
other Latin American participants, sharing information on 
counternarcotics and crime issues, especially with the 
participant from Colombia, who is an expert in drug issues. 
 
Mr. Vargas feels that Peruvian law enforcement would benefit from 
understanding the new ideology of international terrorists, and 
that everybody should be involved to combat terrorism, i.e. the 
government, the armed forces and average citizens. 
 
10. COMMENTS: 
-- Officers in Lima and in Washington, D.C. were forthcoming, 
courteous, and receptive when briefing the IV thoroughly in every 
program detail. 
STRUBLE