Cablegate: Request for Source/Origin Waiver: Procurement of Six

VZCZCXYZ0020
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHQT #0128 0331522
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021520Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY QUITO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0905
INFO RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO

UNCLAS QUITO 000128

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
INL/RM TIM BARRY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR SOURCE/ORIGIN WAIVER: PROCUREMENT OF SIX
VEHICLES FOR THE ECUADORIAN NATIONAL POLICE SIU/SIPA UNITS

1. (SBU) Issue: Post requests a source origin waiver from
geographic code 000 (United States only) to geographic code 935
(Special Free World) to permit the procurement of vehicles in the
Host Country local market for operational use by the Ecuadorian
National Police's Sensitive Investigative Unit (SIU) and the Ports
and Airports Investigative Unit (SIPA).

Cooperating Country: Ecuador

Authorizing document: LOA dated August 25, 2009

Project: Sensitive Investigative Unit - SIU and Andean Initiative
Program

Nature of funding: Sensitive Investigative Unit Funds FY-08 and

Andean Initiative Program FY-08

Description of commodity: Foreign-manufactured vehicles

Quantity - Two (2) 2010 Chevrolet Aveo Emotion 5 door sedan T/M
1.6L, A/C manual transmission, color yellow

Quantity - Two (2) 2010 Toyota Yaris 5 door hatchback/wagon T/M
1.5L, A/C manual transmission

Quantity - Two (2) 2010 Nissan Sentra 5 door sedan T/M 1.6L, A/C
manual transmission, color yellow

Approximate total value: USD 94,500.00

Origin: Special Free World

Source: Ecuador

Contracting agent: GSO

2. (SBU) Discussion: Four of these vehicles will be used for
surveillance operations by the National Police Special
Investigations Unit (SIU) and two of these vehicles will be used by
the Ports and Airports Investigative Unit (SIPA). Both SIU and
SIPA are highly effective units of the National Police Anti-Drug
Directorate and cooperate closely with DEA's Quito office. For the
security of undercover personnel and operations, it is necessary
for the SIU and SIPA to use nondescript vehicles that are locally
common rather than the more conspicuous and distinctive
U.S.-manufactured vehicles. The requested vehicles are a needed
fleet expansion.

3. (U) Recommendation: For the reasons stated above, we recommend
approval of this request for a source/origin waiver to permit
acquisition of these project vehicles in Ecuador.

4. (U) Please expedite reply. Thank you.

5. (U) Signed: Drew Schufletowski, NAS Director, Narcotics Affairs

Section, U.S. Embassy, Quito, Ecuador.
HODGES

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