Cablegate: Relocating Dea Personnel From Bolivia to Other Wha

VZCZCXRO6227
RR RUEHRG
DE RUEHBR #1669 3641740
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 291740Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3184
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 7288
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 4826
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 6000
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ 6762
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 4065
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 7624
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 0782
RUEHRG/AMCONSUL RECIFE 8851
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 7035
RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO 3262

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRASILIA 001669

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR AMGT BR
SUBJECT: RELOCATING DEA PERSONNEL FROM BOLIVIA TO OTHER WHA
EMBASSIES

REF: A. SECSTATE 130239
B. BRASILIA 1557

Classified By: Charge d'Affairs Lisa Kubiske, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)

1. (C) Following are mission's response to ref a, para 3.

a) As reported ref B, the Ambassador delivered a diplomatic
note to Brazilian Foreign Ministry (MRE) Under Secretary
Vargas on November x informing the GOB of our intent to
increase staffing at existing DEA offices in Brasilia and Sao
Paulo. Although he expressed concern about DEA's departure
from Bolivia, Vargas did not offer a specific response at
that time, and we have heard nothing further from MRE on the
matter. The Ambassador also discussed the issue with Justice
Minister Tarso Genro (who sits over the Federal Police) and
Institutional Security Minister Jorge Felix, both of whom
were generally supportive. Finally, DEA has discussed the
matter extensively with the Federal Police, who are fully
supportive of the increase in DEA staffing.

Post has purposefully avoided requesting formal permission to
increase these offices, as it is not strictly necessary in
order to increase staffing at existing offices, and only MRE
can grant it. Such requests must go via diplomatic note
through Transnational Crimes (COCIT) Director Virginia
Toniatti and Secretary General (deputy foreign minister)
Samuel Pinheiro Guimaraes, both of whom would likely hold up
the request. Having notified MRE of our plans at a senior
level, mission is comfortable moving forward. Therefore,
mission recommends that DEA personnel who will be relocating
to Brazil apply for visas soonest. Issuance of the visas
will effectively provide formal permission.

b) Both Brasilia and Sao Paulo are willing and able to
support the DEA positions listed above.

c) Both Brasilia and Sao Paulo are willing and able to accept
the DEA personnel (and dependents) listed above for
reassignment prior to January 29, 2009.
KUBISKE

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