Cablegate: Review of Nas Assistance with Vice Minister of Interior

VZCZCXYZ0019
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHPE #1226 2332234
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 212234Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY LIMA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1094

UNCLAS LIMA 001226

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR KCRM PREL PE
SUBJECT: REVIEW OF NAS ASSISTANCE WITH VICE MINISTER OF INTERIOR

1. (SBU) Summary: In a meeting August 6 with Vice Minister
of Interior Wilson Hernandez, NAS Director reiterated USG
desire that in 2010 the GOP assume costs of fuel currently
paid by NAS. The Vice Minister promised to raise the issue
with the new minister, and inquired about several assistance
issues. End summary.

2. (SBU) The main point the NAS Director stressed in the
meeting was that the U.S. Congress is seeking for the
countries to which INL provides assistance, such as Peru, to
assume the costs of fuel that the USG currently pays for
with assistance funds. The Director reminded Hernandez that
he had raised this issue with the former Minister of Interior
Mercedes Cabanillas, who had instructed the Ministry planning
office chief to work on including provisions for covering
program fuel costs in the Ministry's 2010 budget. Asked
whether the new minister had been briefed, Hernandez
responded that he would bring it to the attention of the
minister. Director reiterated that it was a very important
point for us.

3. (SBU) Also in relation to the fuel question, the Director
brought the situation at the PNP base at Palmapampa to
Hernandez's attention. The base, not connected to the
electricity grid, runs on generators with the NAS paying for
the fuel. The Director noted that while the need to
incorporate the base into the local grid had been discussed
with the commander of the base months earlier, and he had
agreed work on the matter, nothing has happened. The
Director emphasized that the status quo was untenable, and
added that as one possible consequence we would have to look
at moving the helicopters at Palmapampa to Mazamari if this
situation continues. Hernandez promised to look into the
issue right away.

4. (SBU) Hernandez inquired about the status of NAS
assistance for two forensics laboratories for the Peruvian
National Police (PNP) of continuing interest to the PNP and
the Ministry. The Director responded that the planned
assessment trip to Peru in July was postponed because of a
scheduling conflict. Director noted that our expert
nonetheless had begun to review the information provided by
the Ministry and had offered some preliminary observations.
Hernandez agreed that direct communication between our expert
and the chiefs of the forensic s laboratories in the meantime
would make the eventual assessment more productive.

5. (SBU) Hernandez also asked about the status of vehicles
NAS would provide to the Peruvian National Police. He asked
whether they would be restricted to counternarcotics use
only. The Director responded that there is some flexibility
in the numbers and types of vehicles we could provide, noting
that more than 50 are in the procurement process, and that we
envisioned the vehicles could be used for various law
enforcement activities, not solely counternarcotics. In
considering the possible procurement of additional vehicles,
the Director said, it would be helpful to have information
from the Ministry of Interior about the current PNP fleet and
its condition, the number and types of vehicles needed
(patrol cars, ambulances, trucks, etc.), how they will be
used, and certifying the GOP will budget for fuel and
maintenance of the vehicles.

6. (SBU) The Director noted that earlier this week he had
met with the Mayor of Santa Maria del Valle in the province
of Hu nuco to discuss the plan to build a police training
school in his town. He had asked the mayor to set up a
meeting for us with the regional president to coordinate the
regional government's agreed contribution to the project.
The Director noted to Hernandez that we would like something
in writing from the regional president committing to using
funds for the project at its initiation rather than upon
completion of construction. Using the Peruvian funds at the
beginning would be helpful, the Director explained, as the
NAS proceeds with required steps that would take some months
to complete.
NEALON

© Scoop Media