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Cablegate: Colombian Air Force C-26's

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS BOGOTA 008475

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR INL/LP

E.O 12358: N/A
TAGS: SNAR PREL MOPS MASS PGOV CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIAN AIR FORCE C-26'S

1. Post has received a diplomatic note from the Colombian
Minister of Foreign Affairs requesting assistance in the use
of the two Colombian Air Force C-26 aircraft that were
modified by the United States Government (USG) for air
interception and surveillance.

2. Funding for these aircraft is currently included in
INL's Air Bridge Denial (ABD) program. The proposal is for
the USG to fund operations, training, and maintenance while
the Government of Colombia (GOC) funds fuel costs.
Approximately 60% of the missions will be in support of ABD
and approximately 40% for GOC counter-narcotics missions.
Any events carried out by the C-26s involving aircraft
suspected of illegal activity will be performed in
accordance with the ABD Letter of Agreement. The ABD
Citation aircraft will have priority over the C-26s in use
of ABD facilities.


3. Post endorses this request and requests INL concurrence.
The proposal will put to work two aircraft that have been
grounded since March 2005 pending USG-GOC consultations on
funding and mission. Having these aircraft available will
expand the GOC's intelligence and surveillance capabilities
and will free the ABD program's Citation from some of the
surveillance/intelligence missions it currently must fly.
The last ABD Certification Team recommended this approach
for efficient use of the
C-26s.

4. Post further requests INL advice on whether a USG reply
via diplomatic note will suffice to ratify this agreement or
whether a separate Letter of Agreement covering the C-26s is
necessary.

Wood

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