VZCZCXYZ0015
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBO #0049 0041749
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 041749Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0775
INFO RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RUETIAA/CSG SOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//USDP ADMIN// PRIORITY
UNCLAS BOGOTA 000049
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER MARR CO
SUBJECT: BOGOTA FY08 "1206" PROJECT PROPOSALS
1. (SBU) Embassy Bogota concurs with the following six
project proposals for section 1206 funding in FY 2008.
Listed in priority order, all will strengthen Colombian
military capacity to conduct counterterrorism operations
against the FARC and ELN (designated Foreign Terrorist
Organizations) and other illegal armed groups.
A. Close Air Support Pilot Exchange (USD 0.40 million)
Two U.S. Close Air Support (CAS) pilots will assist and train
Colombian Air Force (COLAF) pilots in counterterrorist
operations in new Super Tucano combat aircraft, which feature
advanced weapons delivery avionics new to the COLAF.
B. Cessna Grand Caravan with Leica Camera and LIDAR (USD
5.27 million)
The Caravan ISR and associated Leica camera and LIDAR system
is able to map and identify structures hidden beneath the
jungle canopy. These include guerrilla camps holding kidnap
victims, among them three U.S. defense contractors and
Colombian politicians, military officers, and other private
citizens.
C. Colombian Strategic Network (RIC) Upgrade (USD 4.45
million)
This project extends secure communications to remote military
bases and units now lacking coverage. The RIC network carries
all tactical applications such as the VHF/FM and
air-to-ground nets and the mobile digital network. It also
provides connectivity for USG-sponsored systems such as the
Combined Enterprise Information Exchange System (CENTRIXS),
Colombian Imagery Library Archive (CILA), and Cooperating
Nations Information Exchange System (CNIES).
D. "WASP" Unmanned Aerial Surveillance (UAS) (USD 1.50
million)
The WASP is an unmanned aerial surveillance platform for use
on Colombian rivers, which are primary logistics routes for
illegal armed groups. Its real-time video imagery will serve
as an early warning and threat indicator system, enabling a
remote operator to gather intelligence on guerrilla camps and
terrorist activities.
E. Biomedical Detection Systems (USD 3.18 million)
To assist the marines of the Colombian Navy in screening for
potential terrorists during search operations at riverine
checkpoints. This system will fingerprint suspects and match
their fingerprints and passport/ID information against a
portable data base, which can remotely connect to a master
data base. This equipment will also aid the Colombian Coast
Guard in screening crews of transiting ships, to prevent
smuggling of terrorists in and out of Colombia.
F. "RHIB" Boats for Naval Special Forces (USD 1.15 million)
Four Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBS) will enable
Colombian Naval and Coast Guard Special Forces to gather
intelligence, interdict terrorist supply shipments, detect
coastal staging areas, and provide force protection for
visiting U.S. Navy ships.
Nichols