Cablegate: Nas Monthly Report for August 2005

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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 BOGOTA 009402

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR INL/LP AND INL/RM
DEPT FOR WHA/AND

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR SENV KCRM PTER CO
SUBJECT: NAS MONTHLY REPORT FOR AUGUST 2005

REF: BOGOTA 8041

1. (SBU) Summary: During August, NAS was the control office
for a two-person StaffDel from the Senate Appropriations
Subcommittee for Foreign Affairs. The aerial eradication
program sprayed approximately 10,087 hectares of coca and 78
hectares of poppy for a total of 111,946 hectares of coca
and 1,557 hectares of poppy sprayed through August. The
program had one aircraft mishap and a total of 16 incidents
in which spray aircraft received 26 impacts, while ISS helos
received 14 impacts in three incidents. COLAR Aviation flew
a total of 1,559 hours in support of eradication efforts.
The ABD program impounded one aircraft and arrested four
persons. The Colombian National Police (CNP) seized over 10
metric tons of cocaine HCL and destroyed seven HCL labs
during the month, while fifteen EMCAR police were killed by
an improvised explosive device. A Colombian Government
resolution authorized the possibility of spraying coca in
the country's national parks if certain conditions are met.
Accordingly, NAS and the Public Affairs section are
coordinating a public affairs strategy for possible future
aerial spraying of coca in national parks. End Summary.

StaffDel Grove-Hawkins
----------------------

2. (SBU) Staffers Paul Grove and Tom Hawkins of the Senate
Appropriations Subcommittee for Foreign Affairs vistited
Colombia from August 29-31. The Staffers met with President
Uribe, Peace Commissioner Restrepo, Vice-MOD Penate, various
NGOs, and other prominent Colombian citizens and government
officials. The Staffdel spent significant time looking at
and talking about Air Bridge Denial, Aerial Eradication,
Police Aviation, Colombian Army Helicopters, and
Demobilization. The visit was very positive, and the
Staffers seemed pleased with the briefings they received
about NAS operations in Colombia.

Eradication
-----------

3. (SBU) During the month of August, OV-10s operating from
Larandia sprayed approximately 4,472 hectares, AT-802s
operating from Barrancabermeja sprayed approximately 3,776
hectares of coca, and T-65s operating from Saravena sprayed
1,839 hectares of coca. This resulted in approximately
10,087 hectares of coca sprayed in August, for a total of
more than 111,946 hectares of coca sprayed through August
2005.

4. (SBU) In August, 78 hectares of poppy were sprayed during
the first week, and thereafter the T-65's were moved to the
Department of Arauca for their coca campaign. Through
August, 1,547 hectares of poppy have been sprayed in 2005.
We are approximately 20,000 hectares ahead on coca goals but
are still finding it difficult to identify poppy cultivation
that will help us reach the goal of 3,000 for this year.
Spray pilots believe that poppy cultivation in national
parks and indigenous areas may be increasing.

5. (SBU) An AT-802 spray aircraft inadvertently left the
runway during take-off at Barrancabermeja this month. During
the mishap, one of the main landing gear struts was ripped
from the aircraft, causing the aircraft prop and wing to
make contact with the ground. The aircraft will be sent to
the U.S. factory for repair. The cause of the accident is
under investigation.

6. (SBU) Eradication aircraft were involved in 16 incidents
involving hostile fire during August, resulting in a total
of 26 impacts for the month. The AT-802s received eight
impacts, the OV-10Ds six impacts, and the T-65s 12 impacts.
In the Infrastructure Security Strategy (ISS) Program, UH-1H
IIs received 14 impacts. Total impacts for the month are 40
in 19 separate incidents.

7. (SBU) Four of the eleven eradication UH-1Ns are fully
mission capable, four are in phase maintenance, and the
remaining seven have extensive structural/sheet metal repair
requirements limiting operational readiness rates for this
month. This OR rate has lead DynCorp to subcontract one
"test" phase inspection to Vertical Aviation in order to
expand maintenance capabilities. To accomplish spray
operations, the eradication program borrowed five UH-1Ns
from the Plan Colombia Helicopter Program (PCHP). This in
turn limited PCHP's capability to support additional
security forces outside of spray areas of operation.

Colombian Army (COLAR) Aviation
-------------------------------

8. (SBU) This month the Plan Colombia Helicopter Program
(PCHP) continued to support eradication efforts in Colombia
while steadily moving forward towards the 2005
nationalization goals. This month alone the program flew
1,558.9 flight hours, broken down by airframe as follows:
UH60 206.1 hours, UH1N 727.2 hours, UHII 551.3 hours, and K-
Max 74.3 hours.

9. (SBU) In the UH1N and UHII programs, managers were able
to schedule seven pilot-in-command check rides and to
complete a total of 20 annual evaluations for pilots. This
is a very positive result considering the current
operational tempo. UH60 pilot training continues with the
graduation of Group 10. All members of this group are
Colombian Army (COLAR) pilots that have either been flying
FMS UH60s or are recent graduates of the aircraft
qualification course. The purpose of the training is to
integrate them into the PCHP aircrew training program (ATP)
and to conduct mission training qualification. To date 87
Colombian Army pilots have completed this training.

10. (SBU) On the nationalization front, the PCHP certified
three additional UHII mechanics, for a total of 44 UHII
certified mechanics. There are 32 UH60 and 50 UH1N
certified mechanics, bringing the total of certified
mechanics available to 126.

11. (SBU) The most serious issue facing the PCHP
nationalization program is the Helicopter Battalion's
(BAHEL) inability to fill UH60 pilot-in-command positions at
Forward Operating Locations (FOLs). This month they were
only able to field the requisite number of pilots-in-command
52 percent of the time. Even taking into account mitigating
circumstances, this is more of trend than an isolated
incident and will be exacerbated when Colombia begins to
receive the eight UH60 helos that are being purchased with
GOC funding.

12. (SBU) In the month of August, the PCHP participated in
eradication support operations from Larandia,
Barrancabermeja, and Saravena. Additionally, the program
was called on to support a High Value Target (HVT) mission
from San Jose.

Counter-Drug Brigade
--------------------

13. (SBU) The Counter-Drug Brigade (CD BDE) continued to
support spray operations in Barrancabermeja (Third
Battalion) and Caqueta/Putumayo (Second Battalion). The
First Battalion was in Larandia receiving training from the
U.S. Army 7th Special Forces Group.

14. (SBU) The National Directorate on Dangerous Drugs (DNE)
completed a NAS-sponsored training program with the last of
the CD Brigade's three operational battalions. The DNE
trained the soldiers on the proper identification, safe
handling, and proper destruction of chemical substances
found in drug processing labs.

Air Bridge Denial (ABD)
------------------------

15. (SBU) In August 2005, 4,858 tracks were sorted over
Colombia, of which 22 were declared Unknown, Assumed Suspect
(UAS) aircraft. The Host Nation did not respond to five of
these. One was further identified as friendly, and four
were near international borders. The Colombian Air Force
coordinated with the Colombian National Police (CNP) to have
the police meet three UAS on landing, and the tracker was
unable to locate the UAS on nine occasions. Of the three
UAS that CNP personnel responded to, two were cleared, and
the third resulted in four arrests and one aircraft
impounded. No narcotics were seized.

CNP Aviation (ARAVI)
---------------------

16. (SBU) ARAVI's fleet flew 2,276 hours in August. The UH-
1H II helicopters flew 721 hours with an operational
readiness (OR) rate of 49 percent. (Twenty-six percent of
the fleet were in depot due to major structural repairs.)
The Bell 212 helicopters flew 274 hours with an operational
readiness rate of 71 percent, and the UH-60L helicopters
flew 208 hours with an operational readiness rate of 70
percent. ARAVI started training a COLAR pilot and a
mechanic in the Cessna Caravan as part of a qualification
program for the pending arrival of a Caravan for the COLAR
program. Furthermore, ARAVI successfully completed a number
of Relevo (rotations), which supported five departments and
32 police stations with aerial transportation of personnel
and equipment. Total flight hours expended in this phase of
Relevo was 143.

CNP Interdiction
------------

17. (SBU) In August, the CNP seized over 10 metric tons of
HCL and coca base bringing their year-to-date total to over
70 metric tons. These stats are only for the CNP and do not
include the armed forces of Colombia. Seven HCL
laboratories were destroyed, bringing that total to 77 HCL
laboratories.

18. (SBU) The CNP and Air Force conducted a joint airmobile
operation near El Plateado, Cauca Department (40 miles west
of Popayan), from August 21-23 against the Revolutionary
Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Secondary targets included
FARC leadership, cocaine and arms caches, and cocaine HCL
labs. The results of the operation were negative.

19. (SBU) From August 29-31, the CNP's Anti-Narcotics
Directorate (DIRAN) and the Colombian Air Force hit a
cocaine HCL Lab only 12 miles south of El Plateado. A total
of 547 kilos of pure cocaine (ready for shipment) and 80
kilos of cocaine base were uncovered in a "caleta" (cache)
near the HCL lab. The narcotraffickers disguised the HCL
lab by putting it inside a rural farm house, surrounded by
sugar cane fields. The farm house also included an adjacent
sugar factory. This is the first time DIRAN has ever seen
this particular camouflage technique.

20. (SBU) On August 30, the DIRAN hit a cocaine HCL lab
near Buga, Valle del Cauca (50 miles north of Cali), and 250
kilos of pure cocaine were captured on site.

21. (SBU) On August 31, DIRAN hit a large precursor chemical
storage site, 40 miles west of Popayan. These precursor
chemicals were supporting both coca base and cocaine HCL
labs in this region.

Reestablish Police Presence (Carabineros)
----------------------------------------

22. (SBU) Three new Mobile Carabineros Squadrons (EMCAR)
started in August and will graduate from the basic seven-
week course at Espinal in September. The three EMCAR
squadrons-in-training were deployed to Caldas Department to
help with security during a Colombian holiday on 15 August.

23. (SBU) On August 1, 15 EMCAR policemen were killed in
Cesar Department by an improvised explosive device that
completely destroyed the 2.5 ton-equivalent truck in which
the policemen were traveling. The bomb was wire detonated
from 300 meters away. On August 2, an operation was
launched to gather intelligence in the area and was followed
by an operation with one EMCAR squadron that began on August
17. The results were 16 persons captured and the disruption
of the FARC infrastructure in the area. The 44 EMCAR
operational squadrons are increasingly involved with
providing security for manual eradication groups and with
security for the major lines of communications throughout
the country.

24. (SBU) From January to July the EMCAR squadrons have
captured 236 narco-traffickers and 556 members of terrorist
groups (356 FARC/ELN, 210 AUC). EMCAR squadrons also seized
38,946 gals of liquid precursors, 47,832 kgs of solid
precursors, 3,673 kgs of coca base, and 2,458 kgs of
marijuana and recovered 275 vehicles.

Manual Spray Eradication
------------------------

25. (SBU) NAS continues to support police units in the
department of Boyaca conducting manual spray eradication via
backpack sprayers. One hundred sixty (160) gallons of
glyphosate were delivered during August to five police units
in the eastern Boyaca area. NAS is awaiting human rights
vetting for other police units to expand the program.

Training
--------
26. (SBU) In August, NAS processed a total of 26 DIRAN
police students to attend courses in the United States.
Also during August, the CNP completed its purchase of
"Pijaos," a 1,700 hectare ranch in Tolima Department. For
several years now, the ranch owner had permitted the DIRAN
Junglas and the Carabinero squadrons to conduct field
training there. Pijaos is an excellent field training site,
about three hours drive from Bogota. The CNP, with some NAS
assistance, plans to build a national field training base
there. Some joint training with the Colombian Navy and
Marines may also be conducted at Pijaos.

Port Security Program
---------------------

27. (SBU) During August, NAS coordinated a visit by Customs
and Border Patrol to the port cities of Barranquilla and
Buenaventura. The purpose of the visit was to provide
technical assistance to the Anti-Narcotics Police on new
equipment. Also during the month, NAS coordinated a visit
by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The purpose
of the visit was to study the possibility of implementing
DHS's Container Security Initiative (CSI) in Colombia. If
implemented, CSI would be implemented in close coordination
with NAS's Port Security Program. During the visit DHS
personnel met with officials from both the public and
private sector.

Polygraph Unit
--------------

28. (SBU) The NAS-sponsored DIRAN polygraph unit completed
testing of DIRAN personnel working at Bogota's El Dorado
airport, as well as testing of the Airport Police. The
results: almost 50 percent of DIRAN personnel and 38 percent
of the Airport Police did not pass the test. These
individuals are being transferred out of DIRAN. The unit
also initiated testing of DIRAN personnel at the port of
Buenaventura, where 38 percent of the personnel failed to
pass the test by the end of August. Testing continues in
Buenaventura for both DIRAN and the Customs Police (POLFA).

Environment
-----------

29. (SBU) On August 17, Colombian government officials
signed a resolution that could allow aerial spraying of coca
in the national parks if certain conditions are met. The
first park under consideration for spraying is "La
Macarena," located in the southeastern department of Meta,
formerly a part of the "zona de despeje" or demilitarized
zone (reftel). NAS officials met with DIRAN to analyze the
resolution and made some recommendations to avoid possible
problems in the future.

30. (SBU) NAS environmental personnel provided training to
DynCorp pilots on Colombian Ministry of Environment
regulations. NAS personnel also participated in meetings
with the indigenous communities of the Motilon-Bari National
Park in the North of Santander. Community leaders signed an
agreement to allow eradication of coca in the indigenous
reserves.

August Verification of Claims
-----------------------------

31. (SBU) In southern Bolivar and Santander Departments, 150
claims of damage to crops by aerial spray were investigated.
In all claims, the claimants were found to have illicit
crops planted. No compensation was paid. In Antioquia
Department, one claim for damage to plant and tree seedbeds
belonging to a company named ASORPAR and the Autonomous
Regional Corporation of Antioquia was paid in the amount of
$90,000,000 Colombian pesos, or approximately $40,000 USD.

NAS/PAS - Public Affairs Strategy
---------------------------------

32. (SBU) NAS and the Public Affairs Section (PAS) met to
coordinate public affairs strategies to improve the negative
perception of the aerial spray program, especially in
regards to potential spraying in the national parks. As
part of the ongoing efforts, NAS coordinated an over-flight
of the Macarena National Park for Magistrates of the Supreme
Court, Senators, representatives of NGOs, and journalists to
show the destruction caused by the cultivation of coca in
the national parks. This is the latest in a series of
flights that have included the participation of the Vice
President of Colombia. These flights have been instrumental
in helping to change the negative opinions and perceptions
of many of these influential individuals with regards to
possible aerial spraying of illicit crops in the national
parks.

Deserter Program
----------------

33. (SBU) During August, there were 240 deserters, with an
average of eight to ten deserters a day. The breakdown for
this month is: 118 FARC; 107 AUC; 11 ELN; and 4 others.
These are individual or small groups of deserters and are
not demobilized individuals.

34. (SBU) The Ministry of Defense (MOD) Desertion Program
totaled 7,976 deserters to date since President Uribe took
office. The breakdown of deserters to date is: 3,978 FARC;
2,694 AUC; 1,082 ELN; and 222 other organizations.

35. (SBU) Within the last two months, we have witnessed what
the Colombian military is calling massive desertions. These
are groups of deserters from the same organization and
structure. Radio broadcasts are the number one means for
reaching deserters and informing/promoting them to desert.
The focus of this program is on duplicating and promoting
mass desertion.

36. (SBU) Deserters are no longer afraid of violations of
their human rights by public security forces. When
questioned, the main reason for deserting continues to be
mistreatment by and disillusion with the respective
organization, followed by public security forces pressure on
the battlefield, and, lastly, family and financial needs.

NAS/Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
---------------------------

37. (SBU) During August, NAS/BOP sponsored a group of
officials from the Ministry of Interior and Justice to
evaluate prison conditions and collect information on
penitentiary infrastructure. NAS/BOP also sponsored a group
of six officers from the GOC Bureau of Prisons (INPEC in
Spanish) to attend a canine training course. Also during
the month, NAS/BOP sponsored three officials from INPEC to
attend the Annual Correctional Congress in Baltimore.

38. (SBU) Lastly, the NAS/BOP representative met with
contractors to review and correct electrical, electronic,
security, and architectural aspects of new prison designs
with the assistance of two Federal Bureau of Prisons
experts.

WOOD

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