All amounts in U.S. dollars. Numbers in italics are estimates, usually based on the closest year for which data are available.

All amounts in U.S. dollars. Numbers in italics are estimates, usually based on the closest year for which data are available.

All amounts in U.S. dollars.

All amounts in U.S. dollars.

Document: Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Program and Budget Guide, Fiscal Year 2010

Program: International Narcotics Control Economic Aid

FY 2010 Program Demand Reduction The ministerial-level National Drug Control Council (CONALTID) is the GOB?s central policy making body for counternarcotics. The Vice Ministry of Social Defense and the Vice Ministry of Coca and Integrated Development are the primary implementers of these policies. This project supports the operations of these entities, by providing technical advice, equipment, training, and other support as appropriate. Drug prevention activities focus principally on enabling civil society through training and other interventions to provide demand reduction education, basic rehabilitation, diagnostic, and other services the public sector remains incapable of delivering. The project supports the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program (DARE), which will seek to reach 40,000 middle school students in a broad base of cities. FY 2010 assistance will support media outreach programs, demand education training in all teacher?s universities, innovative departmental demand reduction programs such as training in drug abuse prevention, and specific programs targeting marginalized sectors of Bolivian society. This project also has a public affairs component that promotes U.S. interests on drug issues, provides accurate information on counternarcotics questions and policies to the media, enhances the professionalism of the media (especially on drug-related themes) and helps generate information useful to the U.S. FY 2010 assistance will support national awareness programs, journalists, workshops, and a toll-free telephone hotline.

Document: Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Program and Budget Guide, Fiscal Year 2010

Program: International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement

FY 2010 Program Interdiction These funds will be used to support FELCN, a Bolivian National Police (BNP) entity with approximately 1,600 officers. FELCN consists of a command staff and rural patrol units (UMOPAR), in addition to specialized police groups: a canine drug detection unit (K-9), and the Special Operations Force (FOE). The FOE has close to 500 officers and includes an economic and financial investigations unit (GIAEF), a special intelligence and operations group (GIOE), and a precursor chemical investigations unit (GISUQ). The FOE provides coordination for counternarcotics operations. The Garras del Valor School is an academy for training new counternarcotics personnel. Its curriculum includes basic criminal investigation procedures, introduction to the Bolivian criminal and legal system, human rights, and jungle survival skills. The Garras School also serves as a regional training center for counternarcotics police from other Latin American countries, thereby promoting regional integration. The Counternarcotics Prosecutor program supports 127 counternarcotics prosecutors and legal assistants who direct investigation undertaken by FELCN elements. Funding will be used to expand the prosecutor program and to increase efficiencies in the prosecution of narcotics related cases. Funding will also assist Bolivia?s financial intelligence unit and resources and strengthen the relationships and cooperation among government entities involved in fighting money laundering and other financial crimes. With FY 2010 funds, the USG will support interdiction personnel with field equipment and maintenance costs, food (MREs), medical supplies, and office rental and other costs. Funding will provide incentives for the prosecutor program and the anti-narcotics training center, stipends, travel and per diem, and ensure that all interdiction forces have required communications capabilities and transportation to be effective. Eradication The Joint Eradication Task Force (JTF) consists of approximately 1,600 military, police, and civilian personnel with separate units conducting eradication and providing force protection in two coca producing zones. The Directorate General for Integral Development of Coca Producing Regions (DIGPROCOCA) supervises the destruction and rationalization of illegal coca crops and verifies eradication by measuring and inventorying the fields before and after eradication takes place. The National Police provide perimeter security for the JTF, while the Ecological Police (ECOPOL) locate and prepare coca fields and coca seedbeds to eradicate. The JTF military does the actual eradication of the coca plants. Budget allotments for FY 2010 reflect our concern over limited cooperation and political will from the GOB on eradication and on limiting new crops. Funding is primarily directed towards eradication support for operations the GOB is willing to undertake, such as in the national parks. FY 2010 assistance will continue to provide necessary infrastructure and logistical support, including gas, utilities, equipment, medical/hygienic supplies, medical care, vehicle support and maintenance, tents, cooking equipment, and aviation support. Operational/Logistical Support U.S. counternarcotics projects in Bolivia rely on a logistical network consisting of airplanes, boats, land vehicles, helicopters, and a decentralized warehousing and supply system. This support enables eradication and interdiction to operate effectively in the challenging conditions that exist throughout Bolivia. FY 2010 Operational/Logistical Support will provide the GOB with technical advice, equipment, and training for the Green Devil Task Force (GDTF), the Blue Devil Task Force (BDTF), and Field Support (INFRA). GDTF is a unit of 125 Bolivian Army personnel with a fleet of 119 light, medium, and heavy-lift utility and other types of vehicles provided by the U.S. These vehicles furnish 250 FY 2010 INL Program and Budget Guide ground transportation in support of interdiction and eradication operations in two distinct regions. With FY 2010 monies, the U.S. will fund repairs for the aging fleet of vehicles (including motors and spare parts), fuel, and travel costs. BDTF is a special unit of approximately 120 members of the Bolivian Navy that supports interdiction across the country?s extensive river system and collects actionable intelligence. With FY 2010 funds, the project will continue the maintenance and replacement of equipment, including boat motors, Zodiacs, Boston whaler type patrol boats, mother ships and support for a headquarters and Riverine Training School in Trinidad and six task groups located in Trinidad, Riberalta, Guayaramerin, La Horquilla, Cobija, and Puerto Villaroel. INFRA provides operating expenses for counternarcotics facilities located in Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, Trinidad, and Chimore (including field offices, procurement, accounting, and vehicle maintenance facilities, and warehouses). This infrastructure provides a common platform for U.S.-supported activities throughout the country. FY 2010 assistance will be applied to administrative and operating expenses not attributable to individual projects, such as personal services contract (PSC) and Foreign Service National (FSN) salaries and benefits, travel, transportation, property rentals, office supplies, phones/utilities, and other contracted services required by U.S. counternarcotics personnel. Aviation This project provides fixed and rotary wing aviation support to GOB eradication and interdiction activities. FY 2010 funding will provide the GOB with technical advice, equipment, and training for the Red Devils Task Force (RDTF) and Black Devils Task Force (BlkDTF). Air mobility is an absolute necessity for the execution of counternarcotics programs in Bolivia. RDTF: The RDTF provides rotary and small fixed wing aviation support for the eradication and interdiction programs. American citizen and third-country national contractors advise and assist the RDTF in the areas of aircraft maintenance, quality control, logistics and training. They also provide day-to-day contract oversight. In FY 2010, the project will provide support for GOB eradication in National Parks and continued limited eradication operations in the Yungas and Chapare. The project operates and maintains ten UH-1H helicopters and two light fixed-wing aircraft through a qualified force of helicopter pilots, fixed-wing pilots, crew chiefs and support technicians. BlkDTF: The BlkDTF consists of six pilots, co-pilots and navigators, and 35 enlisted personnel who provide maintenance support for three C-130 transport aircraft which transport eradication and interdiction personnel and supplies throughout Bolivia and move RDTF and BlkDTF spare aircraft parts, supplies and other project equipment to and from the continental U.S. Support includes maintenance, repairs, spare parts, and required major inspections at U.S. facilities, as well as per diem, uniforms, and other equipment. The incorporation of a refurbished King Air aircraft into BlkDTF air assets in FY 2008 enhanced the GOB's effectiveness in carrying out interdiction and eradication activities. FY 2010 funding will enable the GOB to maintain a trained, reliable medium-lift-capable aviation unit that provides aviation support to counternarcotics projects, with an operational rate of 90 percent of requested missions. Funds will also support an American PSC who provides 251 Western Hemisphere technical assistance; four technicians who supervise maintenance; and a Foreign Service National (FSN) warehouseman who maintains control of the multi-million dollar spare parts inventory. Law Enforcement Development and Training (LETDP) FY 2010 funding will support locally engaged staff, contractor salaries, and incentive payments for the Trafficking-in-Persons Unit. The assistance will sustain the continuation of training and developmental programs for the BNP in key areas, such as investigative skills, forensic sciences, human rights, and trafficking in persons. Other initiatives seek to combat corruption and include such activities as implementing a case tracking system in the Office of Professional Responsibility and supporting a trained cadre of Bolivian police officers who administer all polygraph examinations to counternarcotics project personnel, the investigators of the Office of Professional Responsibility, and other groups as directed by the BNP.

Document: Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Program and Budget Guide, Fiscal Year 2010

Program: International Narcotics Control Economic Aid

Program Objectives and Performance Indicators

• Increased institutional capability to identify, prevent, and prosecute cases of trafficking in persons and increased public awareness of the threat of trafficking to vulnerable populations in Bolivia.

• GOB policies lead to a net reduction in coca cultivation.

Document: Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Program and Budget Guide, Fiscal Year 2010

Program: International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement

Program Objectives and Performance Indicators Fortify law enforcement cooperation and strengthen law enforcement capability for interdiction operations, build local support for increased coca control, regulation and eradication, and highlight the damage to Bolivian society and Bolivia?s neighbors caused by increased coca cultivation, cocaine, and human trafficking.

• Increased institutional capability to interdict narcotics and precursors produced within or transiting through Bolivia
• Increased control of the marketing of legal coca and eradication of illicit coca.
• Increased arrests/prosecutions of major criminals and major narcotics-traffickers and reduction in the amount of hectares of coca in the country commensurate with its responsibilities as a signatory to the UN Drug Convention.
... Program Justification Bolivia remains the poorest nation in South America and the third largest world producer of illicit coca and cocaine, with serious social and economic problems and regional 248 FY 2010 INL Program and Budget Guide fragmentation. The policies of President Evo Morales raise concern over the expansion of coca cultivation in Bolivia and the extent to which the GOB intends to cooperate bilaterally on counternarcotics. Nonetheless, Bolivia?s pivotal role in the illicit drug industry merits continued U.S. engagement. The principal challenges facing Bolivia are the control of coca cultivation in the Yungas and Chapare; address increasing cocaine production and drug trafficking; the need to develop new laws and regulations to control precursor chemicals; and to pass new laws to reform the current Code of Criminal Procedures, which limits the effectiveness of drug case prosecutions. Bolivia has produced coca leaf for traditional uses for centuries, and current Bolivian law permits up to 12,000 hectares of legal coca cultivation (mostly in the Yungas) to supply this licit market. The GOB has proposed to increase this amount to 20,000 hectares, in violation of Law 1008 and the 1988 UN Convention. Significant quantities of cocaine from Peru traverse Bolivia to enter Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. An increasing proportion of the cocaine both transiting and produced within Bolivia is destined for Europe, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Mexico (in the case of the last, probably for eventual sale in the United States). Program Accomplishments The GOB eradicated 5,484 hectares of coca in 2008. The Special Counternarcotics Police Force?s (FELCN) interdiction results for 2008 improved over those of 2007, seizing 2,066 metric tons of coca leaf, and 28.8 metric tons of cocaine base and cocaine hydrochloride (HCl). The FELCN also destroyed 4,988 cocaine base labs. In 2008, most USG-supported demand reduction efforts were coordinated with local municipalities and departmental governments....

Document: 2007 End-Use Monitoring Report

Program: International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement

Procedures

During 2007, the U.S. Mission provided uniforms, field equipment, computers, office furniture and equipment, vehicles, fuel, economic incentives, travel funds and per diem, leases, utilities payments, food, medical supplies, and services to support 26 counternarcotics related projects in Bolivia.

The Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS) La Paz staff consists of four U.S. Direct Hires and two U.S. Personal Services Contractors (PSCs). NAS La Paz has one empty PSC position to be filled in FY 2008. There are four U.S. PSC positions in Santa Cruz and Cochabamba with one position to be filled for the Red Devils Task Force (RDTF) in Santa Cruz. The staff supervises and monitors all procurement, warehousing, personnel, communications, transportation and other administrative and budgetary requirements related to NAS-funded projects.

US Direct Hire Project Officers require adequate justification and strict accountability prior to initiating new procurement actions. NAS staff members and officials of other agencies and offices (principally DEA, USMILGP, USAID and INL Airwing) conduct regular reviews to account for and verify the condition and use of equipment and property provided by the USG to the Government of Bolivia (GOB) counternarcotics program. NAS Project Officers, Regional Director, and the Management Officer conduct regular, announced and unannounced field visits to all projects and maintain frequent contact with project personnel. NAS Budget and Audit staffs conduct spot inspections of property records, impress funds record keeping, and vehicle/fuel usage reports. Fuel consumption reports countrywide are consolidated and reviewed by the NAS/Bolivia Audit Section on a monthly basis.

The NAS Management Officer has primary responsibility for End Use Monitoring under the general supervision of the NAS Director. NAS Project Officers, NAS Regional Directors in Santa Cruz and Cochabamba, NAS Audit Staff, and officials of other agencies (including DEA, USMILGP and USAID) assist the NAS Management officer in its preparation. The Logistics Section of the Bolivian Counternarcotics Police (FELCN) is the most developed entity within GOB and assists in End-Use Monitoring of interdiction programs.

An inventory of property under the direct control of all NAS personnel was conducted during September through February 2007 and the reconciliation was submitted to the Department in March 2007.

Status

Aviation

Under the Black Devils Task Force (BlkDTF), three C-130B transport planes ferry cargo to and from the United States, as well as personnel and cargo within Bolivia. NAS/Bolivia projects also include two light fixed-wing aircraft and ten helicopters, maintained under the Red Devils Task Force (RDTF) program.

The NAS-supported BlkDTF, under the supervision of a U.S. PSC Aviation Advisor, flies three C-130B's that were transferred to the GOB through the DOD Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program. The U.S. PSC Aviation Advisor regularly reports the operational status of all NAS-supported aviation assets to the NAS Director and Deputy Director. The BlkDTF consists of 34 FAB pilots, copilots, flight engineers and navigators, in addition to 55 enlisted maintenance personnel. The C-130Bs fly in-country missions to support Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and UMOPAR (Bolivian Rural Patrol Units) counternarcotics operations, as well as in-country logistics and overseas cargo missions in support of all NAS-funded projects.

The BlkDTF is supported by four Third Country National (TCN) contract mechanics in La Paz that provide quality assurance and supervision for Bolivian Air Force mechanics. One NAS FSN provides logistics support and manages the C-130B warehouse operation, thus guaranteeing accountability for C-130B parts and equipment. The US PSC Aviation Adviser, the NAS Deputy Director and the Director approve all routine and operational missions and expenditures for the BlkDTF project.

The U.S. PSC Aviation Advisor regularly reports the operational status of all NAS-supported aviation assets to the NAS Director and Deputy Director. NAS contract personnel, RDTF, and BLKDTF personnel participate in inventory management and property oversight.

Bolivian Air Force (FAB) personnel assigned to the Red Devil Task Force (RDTF) operate the INL/NAS supported aviation assets controlled by this project. One U.S. PSC Senior Adviser supervises the FAB personnel.

The RDTF aircraft inventory includes ten UH-1H helicopters, and two Cessna 206's. The helicopters are the property of the USG; the airplanes belong to the GOB. These assets are based in Santa Cruz, with permanent Forward Operating Locations (FOL) in Trinidad and Chimore. DynCorp provides the project its maintenance oversight and training, with additional training support provided through USMILGP. The fixed-wing aircraft maintenance program is now mostly Bolivianized. The Senior Aviation Advisor monitors the use of NAS-provided commodities to ensure they are used exclusively for NAS-funded authorized activities, in addition to serving as an adviser. Only the Ambassador, NAS Director or Deputy Director can authorize non-routine missions.

During 2007, post supported eradication efforts in the Chapare, interdiction throughout the lowlands of Bolivia, and sent four helicopters to Cobija (Pando department) for a month-long deployment to assist DEA-supported FELCN operations. Additionally, post deployed a site survey team to the Yungas. The team determined that a heliport at Caranavi was not suitable for operations, but that operations in the Yungas could be supported with the UH-1H's from the FOL at the FAB base in Santa Ana de Huachi. Planning for construction of the FOL is underway.

A total of 14 NAS Foreign Service National/Personal Services Agreement (FSN)/PSA personnel (supervised by the U.S. PSC SAA) are responsible for ensuring operational continuity of the RDTF facilities in Santa Cruz, Chimore, and Trinidad.

The NAS-supported Green Devils Task Force (GDTF) shares a military post with a Logistics Battalion in Santa Cruz. The GDTF's primary mission is to support NAS-funded activities by transporting fuel, cargo and personnel anywhere in Bolivia via ground. Its secondary mission is to train Bolivian/Army personnel in conducting all levels of specialized vehicle maintenance and repair warehousing operations, as well as in operating heavy specialized U.S. military vehicles.

Defense Articles

The FELCN currently has a total of 1,069 M-16s, 624 Berettas, 280 M-4s, 11 M-60s, 187 Mossberg shotguns, 88 M-79s, and 42 M-203s in its inventory, donated in prior years by USMILGP. FELCN maintains a computerized inventory of these weapons. Due to tensions between the police and military, it is no longer feasible to store FELCN weapons at the Ingavi army base. The majority of FELCN weapons have been transferred to alternate locations until a proper arms warehouse can be constructed on FELCN property. The NAS does not provide any lethal assistance to Bolivian police or military units.

Bolivian Army Transportation Battalion-The NAS-supported Green Devils Task Force (GDTF) operates and shares a military post with a logistics battalion in Santa Cruz. The GDTF's primary mission is to support NAS-funded activities by transporting fuel, cargo and personnel anywhere in Bolivia via ground. Its secondary mission is to train Bolivian Army personnel in conducting all levels of specialized vehicle maintenance, warehousing operations, and operation of heavy US military vehicles.

Currently, there are 124 vehicles in the GDTF of which 119 are military vehicles acquired through Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program managed by the USMILGP. The GDTF manages all of these military vehicles. The GDTF vehicle fleet consists of 58 two and a half ton trucks, two M49 two and a half ton fuel trucks, 23 HMMWV'S, four HMMWV ambulances, eight five-ton dump trucks, three five-ton tractors, two 5-ton wreckers, two forty-ton tractors, two contact trucks, three International Harvester fuel trucks, two fuel tankers (5,000 gallons), two 12-ton semi-trailers, one (40-ton) semi-trailer low-bed, four water trailers, one Hyster fork lift (with a capacity of 6,000 pounds), two petty bone fork lists, and seven NAS project vehicles.

Vessels

The NAS-supported Blue Devil Task Force (BDTF) is a 140-person Riverine unit of the Bolivian Navy organized into six task groups, with a headquarters and Riverine Training School in Trinidad. The BDTF groups are located at Trinidad, Riberalta, Guayaramerin, La Horquilla, Cobija, and Puerto Villaroel. The NAS Regional Office in Trinidad supports the BDTF headquarters, the Riverine School, and all task groups (except for the group in Puerto Villaroel, which is supported by NAS/Chimore). The BDTF has three mother ships, 33 Boston Whaler-type patrol boats, and 52 Zodiacs (of which only 31 are currently operable, largely due to age). These boats were transferred to the Bolivian Navy via FMF funding or constructed (in the case of mother ships) with INL funding. The NAS will purchase additional craft in 2008 to maintain operational readiness of the task force.

Vehicles

The NAS maintains more than 1,588 vehicles, including GDTF vehicles, of which 305 are over 10 years old. During 2007, the NAS distributed 40 new Toyota pickup trucks. The NAS motor pool personnel in the regional offices conduct unannounced checks of vehicles two or three months after a change of pilferage items (e.g. batteries, voltage regulators, etc) to ensure that they were not removed from the vehicle by project personnel and replaced with older ones. The practice has proven to be effective in discouraging pilferage.

All vehicles are identified and evaluated when they arrive for fuel service, maintenance, or repair. If a vehicle arrives in poor condition or has obviously been involved in an accident, the motor pool requires official reports from the responsible employee describing the vehicle's condition and/or the incident. The office has a complete list of all vehicles assigned to its area of responsibility, and uses, fuel distribution and service records to identify use and evaluate the condition of each vehicle.

For those vehicles that do not receive fuel or service over an extended period of time (approximately two months), a mechanic or warehouse specialist is dispatched to locate and evaluate the vehicle. The motor pool can verify if a vehicle is being used through service and maintenance records, but cannot verify if and when a vehicle is used for official or unofficial purposes. Motor pool personnel are being trained to monitor the condition of each vehicle arriving for fuel and maintenance; those vehicles arriving in less than acceptable condition are immediately reported to management via phone or e-mail.

Post has just recently begun installing speed regulators on certain vehicles. Post should have a better idea of how well they work by the 2008 report.

Communications Equipment

The NAS has provided 2,750 sets of communications equipment, including repeaters, base stations, mobile radios and hand-held radios in the UHF system from Motorola, in addition to over 160 HF units, all of which are distributed throughout the country. This equipment was provided to the FELCN, UMOPAR, FOE, AIROPS, Riverine and all NAS regional offices as follows:

La Paz 1,222

Santa Cruz

330

Trinidad/Beni

307

Chimore/Cochabamba

693

Oruro

49

Potos

18

Tarija

73

Sucre

31

Pando

48

The NAS maintains a comprehensive inventory under the Non-Expendable Property Accounting System (NEPA) that identifies location and personnel accountable in each organization. Another 230 hand-held UHF equipment sets and 10 base UHF stations do not appear in the NAS inventory because they were purchased with DEA funds. NAS technicians usually perform equipment maintenance in the NAS-controlled repair facility. They make frequent field visits to verify the condition and teach the proper use of the equipment as well as perform preventive maintenance.

Computer Equipment

In 2007, the NAS provided 182 pieces of computer equipment, 74 printers, 24 data shows, 17 scanners, 73 notebooks, 27 canopy antennas, 5 new Dell servers, 6 Cisco switches, 8 Nortel connectivity firewall, 6 fiber optic transceivers, 2 VOIP central phone systems including one BCM 400 and one BCM 50, 3 copier machines, and other devices to the NAS and GOB agencies participating in the NAS-funded activities. Part of this equipment was intended for users in the FELCN projects. Post replaced all old computer equipment and servers in the NASBOL system.

The NAS currently maintains about 4,250 pieces of computer equipment (CPU, monitors, printers, scanners, laptops, and projectors) and 15 servers (13 for NASBOL, two for FOE) at its offices and project sites. The canopy antenna was installed in two offices of the FELCN and two regional offices of the NAS to improve the internet and data transfer.

Laboratory Equipment

The NAS purchases (low-tech) laboratory supplies for FELCN Forensic Laboratories, which relies on manual techniques.

Uniforms and Field Gear

The NAS issues uniforms and equipment on a regular basis to Joint Task Force (JTF), FELCN, UMOPAR personnel and all NAS-supported projects on a regular basis. The NAS has contracted for an IDIQ contract to assure itself of timely delivery of uniforms for issue. In 2007, the NAS procured approximately 20,000 sets of BDU's, boots, hats, and such field gear as web belts, field packs, hammocks, tents, and entrenching tools in support of 1,600 FELCN police officers and 2,200 military personnel assigned to various counternarcotics projects, including eradication.

Canine Program

There are 126 working K-9's in Bolivia, of which 10 are for the detection of explosives. The program has 36 K-9's (puppies 3-9 months old) that are in different stages of training. Due to irregularities in the breeding program, NAS expects to purchase puppies in FY-08. The program currently supports 97 guide dog teams assigned to various FELCN posts, which is half the ideal number but near the maximum that can be sustained with current program support and DEA/FELCN operational priorities. NAS supports FELCN's canine training center (NAS and DEA-funded) in El Paso, near the city of Cochabamba, as well as a recently completed training center in La Paz. The NAS provides 100% of all support to the K-9 program.

Construction

NAS construction engineers/architects advise, design and provide oversight during all phases of construction projects related to NAS-funded activities. The engineers are responsible for executing projects by direct administration.

During 2007, the NAS completed 26 building projects that provided the physical infrastructure necessary to support NAS-funded activities. The building projects included the following: Chimore Base sewage system; FELCN Villazon repairs, C-130 taxiway repairs; electrical expansion at Guayaramerin and Riberalta; TIPS Santa Cruz remodeling; Canine Senda Tres exterior areas; water provision for Locotal; Kennels at Bulo Bulo and El Castillo renovation; new fuel tanks for El Alto compound; NAS Santa Cruz office repairs; Gas tanks for Coroico, Irupana and km 52; Ivirgarzama PTJ and prosecutor offices; FELCN Bermejo; Chimore electrical diagnosis; UMOPAR Bulo Bulo checkpoint expansion; UMOPAR Irupana exterior areas construction; La Paz motor pool additional mezzanine; Tahuichi barracks; communication post and repairs at Guayaramerin & Riberalta; RDTF crew chief and fuel tanks installation; Trinidad technical assistance for kennels enlargement; UMOPAR Bulo Bulo concrete pavement installed for checkpoint area supervision; additional renovation at Chimore motor pool and Villa Tunari; electrical system diagnosis for UMOPAR Trinidad.

The NAS Construction Section also completed 341 infrastructure maintenance requirements nationally, using FSN maintenance technicians and outside contractors.

Problems

Misuse of Vehicles

Personal use of vehicles by GOB officials and careless operation continue to be a problem, but serious accidents and misuse have declined significantly. This is largely due to increased investigations and disciplinary sanctions by the police internal affairs investigators of the NAS-supported FELCN Office of Professional Responsibility. In 2007, OPR/FELCN investigated a total of 81 cases of vehicle misuse that included 32 cases of the FELCN driver being found responsible for an accident; one case of high speed driving considered to be reckless; and eight other cases such as broken glass, mirror broken, etc.

The NAS continues to assist FELCN by supporting continued training on proper operation of vehicles, as well as by holding program participants accountable. The NAS Regional Director and other NAS staff also continue unannounced checks of recently maintained vehicles to look for auto parts theft. With regard to fuel accountability and safety, and in line with NAS efforts to achieve certification in ISO 9000 procedures, checks and balances have been implemented at all NAS sites.

Chimore Field Office Illegal Activities

Following a field inspection by NAS La Paz, an investigation involving the Embassy RSO and Bolivian Police officials at the Chimore field office uncovered strong evidence of misappropriation of NAS materials and property as well as fraudulent payments. This led to the dismissal in December of five local employees and the office's reorganization, with greater oversight by the Cochabamba regional office and more stringent controls put in place.

Weapons Accountability

Accountability and safeguarding of weapons is a continuing concern, but FELCN and Bolivian Army commanders have shown increased commitment and progress in this area. The USMILGP continues to work with the Bolivian Army to achieve 100% serial number inventory as well as working with the Bolivian Army Ninth Division to safeguard sensitive items. For police counternarcotics interdiction-programs, increased viligence by NAS-supported police internal affairs investigators has helped markedly reduce the number of losses and /or thefts of weapons reported.

The USMILGP has an on-going inspection program that cross-levels FELCN weapons and ammunition based on changing roles and missions.

Property Accountability

It remains difficult to track equipment and defense articles issued to projects. For NAS and DEA-issued property, the FELCN's record-keeping system and procedures are not sophisticated enough to consistently track property from unit to unit and through special operations. Troops only check, fix, and account for those items that they know their commander is interested in. The NAS Supply Section, in conjunction with FELCN Logistics Section (S-4), completed development of an End Use Monitoring module. This will help tracking of NAS as well as other agency-provided expendable and non- expendable supplies for the project's supply units to the end user. Currently, there are over 10,000 items with an acquisition value of over $12 million of NAS-provided property distributed nationwide to support projects.

The NAS continues to support FELCN Logistics by keeping parallel records using NEPA property accountability system and extensive warehouse facilities.

NAS/Bolivia operates nine warehouses located as follows: two in La Paz, one in Cochabamba, three in Chimore/Villa Tunari area, two in Santa Cruz, and one in Trinidad. Additionally, there are three GOB warehouses supervised by U.S. PSCs and FSNs, one at the Red Devils Task Force in Santa Cruz, and one at the Black Devils Task Force (BLKDTF) in La Paz. There is an additional GOB warehouse in Trinidad (Blue Devils Task Force) which is not supervised by USG hired personnel. This management shortfall will be resolved by moving stock items to the soon-to-be-completed NAS controlled warehouse in/Trinidad.

Program Changes

Interdiction

The NAS continues to adequately equip and support 1,721 police agents working in counternarcotics. The NAS will increase the capacity of FELCN and other police to work cooperatively in border regions to combat drug trafficking and other crime such as trafficking in persons.

Eradication

The NAS is providing needed assistance to the GOB to eradicate all coca in the National Parks; implement social control in the Chapare; and move an increasing number of resources to the Yungas, where the GOB has set a goal of eradicating 50% of all coca during 2008. Work in the Yungas will require greater support in vehicles, smaller eradication camps, food service provision, boots, tents, all under very difficult an extenuating physical conditions and terrible road infrastructure.

Demand Reduction

The NAS is expanding its demand reduction project by assisting the GOB CONALTID Coordination Secretariat to develop and implement a national program; expanding DARE to more school grade levels; supporting public awareness campaigns that stress that threat of domestic drug consumption; working with NGO's to develop a drug prevention network nationwide; and working with NGO's and universities to train Bolivian prevention and rehabilitation experts. The NAS is also funding periodic independent studies to determine drug consumption and public attitudes in Bolivia in order to develop the appropriate context for Embassy strategies.

Management Practices

NAS Bolivia has developed and introduced an automated administrative management system called National Integrated System (NIS) which integrated most of the NAS administrative functions throughout Bolivia through a Wide Area Network. It has evolved into a key tool in post's internal control and accountability system. A planned major update for the system would enable the NIS accounting information to match figures in the Department's RFMS. The new feature would bypass the manual data entry now required to coordinate information from the two systems and provide accurate, current figures to senior management.

A number of offices have trained in the concept of ISO 9000, but post has been forced to postpone seeking certification while implementing recommendations for the 2007 INL MAV report and preparing for the 2008 OIG Embassy inspection. Most of post's FSN/PSA employees have already received some training. Post will resume the effort to fully implement ISO 9000 processes in the second half of 2008.

As a means of enhancing its quality management practices, post has undertaken to achieve ISO 9000 certification. Most of its FSN/PSA employees have been trained on the concept of ISO 9000. Post is in the process of implementing the ISO 9000 administrative framework into its operations for eventual certification in the near future.

Impact

Eradication

Eradication in the Tropico de Cochabamba region for the cultivation of illegal coca is the sine qua non of any realistic Bolivian counternarcotics strategy. Previous Bolivian Governments have been unable to move beyond the planning stages for controlling coca cultivation in the Yungas. The GOB reported that 6,269 hectare-equivalents of coca cultivation were eradicated in the entire country in 2007, a 23% increase over 2006. Five percent of that was eradicated in the Yungas, a historic first for Bolivia. Overall, coca cultivation increased; however, the potential cocaine production from Bolivian cultivation is estimated by DEA at 115 MT.

Interdiction

In 2007, the FELCN seized 3,760 MT of coca leaf, 17.8 MT of cocaine/base and 423 MT of cannabis, as well as 1,435,419 liters of liquid precursor chemicals (acetone, diesel, ether, etc) and 653 MT of solid precursor chemicals (sulfuric acid, bicarbonate of soda, etc). FELCN also destroyed 4,076 cocaine labs and made 4,268 arrests.

Law Enforcement Development

During 2007, the NAS Law Enforcement Training and Development Program (LETDP) continued the support and development of the Bolivian National Police Forces, providing assistance and support to several different programs. The LETDP provided both training and guidance to the Offices for Professional Responsibility (OPR/DNRP) and the related Disciplinary Tribunals of the Bolivian National Police (BNP) throughout the country on procedures and requirements of the BNP Disciplinary Code.

The LETDP is continuing its program to upgrade the knowledge and skills of the BNP and the Public Ministry Prosecutors by the development and implementation of an extensive training program throughout the country. All training provided includes modules on human rights and human dignity. During this reporting period, 56 different courses of instruction were provided to 2,351 BNP officers and Public Ministry prosecutors.

The LETDP also continued its work with local GOB, Bolivian NGO's and the International Agencies, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to sustain the achievements and efforts made in previous years in the area of Trafficking In Persons (TIP); and to significantly expand the TIPS/Human rights program to all frontier areas of the country.

Document: FY 2010 Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations

Bolivia is South America’s poorest country, facing serious economic, social, and political challenges. Bolivia also remains the third largest producer of coca and cocaine. Against this backdrop, U.S. assistance seeks to collaborate with Bolivian government counterparts, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector to combat narcotics trafficking, reduce poverty and food insecurity, improve health services, strengthen democratic institutions, and protect the environment.

Peace and Security: U.S. foreign assistance will support the fight against illegal drug trafficking by providing logistical support and training for eradication of illicit coca, improving interdiction of drugs and precursor chemicals, and reducing demand. Alternative development funding will help farmers expand their productive capacity and increase access to domestic and international markets. Funding will also continue to support growers’ communities primarily in the Yungas region with social and economic infrastructure investments such as electrification, water and sanitation, road improvements and maintenance, and bridge construction. U.S. foreign assistance will also strengthen law enforcement capacity.

The U.S. Government implements four complementary programs to support counter-narcotics objectives: eradication, alternative development, interdiction, and demand reduction. Despite weak bilateral cooperation, the Integrated Alternative Development program produced significant results, including the value of U.S.-promoted exports. Growth in the exports of these crops gives small farmers a viable and sustained source of income and helps to diversify the economy. In the Tropics of Cochabamba, the export value of bananas increased by 21 percent; in the Yungas of La Paz, the value of cacao and coffee exports increased by 25 percent and 21 percent respectively. The global economic recession negatively affected 574 world demand for hearts of palm, causing the value of exports to decline by 11 percent. The increase in FY 2010 funds will allow the Integrated Alternative Development program to reach more farmers and producer associations to improve the quality of their products and obtain higher prices in local and international markets. The additional funds will also be used for continued support to eradication, interdiction and demand reduction activities. Governing Justly and Democratically: The United States will work with Bolivian Government counterparts, civil society, and NGOs to strengthen democratic institutions by supporting efforts for more inclusive, pluralistic, and representative democracy, and by building the capacity of institutions to deliver public works and services efficiently. U.S. assistance will promote human rights and the rule of law by supporting peaceful conflict resolution, articulation of citizen demands, and free and fair elections. U.S. assistance will also help develop a more efficient, transparent and accessible justice system and increase opportunities for youth and indigenous groups.

Significant progress under current Administration of Justice Programs has provided access to justice to more than 76,000 Bolivians to date. Funding supports access to justice services through 11 Integrated Justice Centers (IJCs). These IJCs are multi-institutional entities, which include lawyers, judges, counselors, prosecutors and mediators that provide justice services, including mediation and conciliation services, to citizens in peri-urban areas. The additional FY 2010 funds will be used to increase the number of new users in marginalized areas benefiting from access to IJCs to 40,000 by 2011. In addition, the United States will coordinate with the Government of the Kingdom of Demark to expand the number of functioning IJCs from 11 to 26, throughout the country, by providing the technical assistance required to jump-start the services at the new centers. This would provide greater accessibility to the justice system for the Bolivian population, including the poor, indigenous, and women.

Local Government and Decentralization is a priority program for Bolivia. The additional FY 2010 funds will be used to expand efforts to improve municipal performance by strengthening municipal management capacity, enhancing citizen participation at the local level, and providing quality municipal services to Bolivian citizens. This new activity focuses on poor and marginalized areas and when fully operational in FY 2011, will help municipal governments to provide even greater numbers of citizens with quality services. The new municipal strengthening activity will work largely with communities with chronically poor segments of the population, implementing activities jointly with municipal governments in approximately 100 out of the 327 municipalities directly affecting approximately 1.4 million people. Investing in People: U.S. assistance will support voluntary family planning and reproductive health interventions by improving the skills of health care providers, increasing access to contraceptives through social marketing, and helping local governments respond to their citizens’ needs, especially in rural areas. Funds will help to reduce child morbidity and mortality in rural areas by expanding community-based, preventative health services and by strengthening emergency obstetric and neonatal care networks. In addition, funds will be used to improve tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment. U.S. assistance will also support exchange programs and educational scholarships for historically disadvantaged youth and indigenous groups, as well as NGOs and local governments to promote the development of indigenous communities.

Preventing and controlling TB has been an important activity in target areas where funds support the implementation of Direct-Observed Treatment, Short Course (DOTS), a proven strategy in fighting TB. 576 Specific activities include: training health personnel; support for a functional logistics system to procure, deliver, and manage a dependable supply of high quality TB drugs; training for community level case detection and education activities; and improving data collection and analysis to strengthen the TB monitoring and surveillance system. With USAID support over the next five years, Bolivia will have a Community DOTS program with sufficient numbers of health workers to reach TB patients in rural and isolated regions; establish a high quality, well-equipped TB laboratory network; have improved TB drug logistics system; and increase the level of community awareness of TB. The additional resources in FY 2010 will be used to help maintain the success rate of TB treatment in target areas reached in FY 2009. Economic Growth: U.S. assistance will support broad-based economic growth in Bolivia to demonstrate the importance of a market-based economy to reduce poverty and food insecurity. Funding will help poor Bolivians increase household incomes by improving agricultural production and enterprise development. U.S. assistance will also help small farmers, especially in rural areas, improve technology, develop basic productive infrastructure, strengthen management practices, and access higher-value domestic, regional, and international markets. U.S. programs also will protect Bolivia's vast biodiversity by reducing impacts from global climate change, and by promoting sustainable use of the country's natural resources, goods, and services. Activities will benefit indigenous and rural communities in the Bolivian Amazon region, which contains one of the largest expanses of the world’s remaining tropical forests. The sustainable management of these tropical forests has generated jobs for the indigenous inhabitants and growth for the country.

With additional funds in FY2010, U.S. efforts will support agricultural sector development and reduce food insecurity. Building on successes of the current Title II Food Security and Market Access and Poverty (MAPA) programs, which end April 2009 and September 2010, respectively, the programs will provide assistance to 22,500 households, working largely with small farmers and households in the most food insecure, chronically poor segments of the population to support environmentally sound economic growth and improved well-being. This will be done through activities including value-chain integration and market linkages, interventions at the field/production level, and improved natural resource management. The decrease in the 2010 target is due to the fact that the MAPA program will be ending in September 2010. The new agriculture program, set to begin in October 2010, will be in a start up year and will therefore have less reach initially. This program will compliment the new food security program, scheduled to start in October 2009, by creating stronger agriculture value chains and developing agricultural technologies that can be transferred to small farmers in food insecure areas.

Document: International Narcotics Control Strategy Report

Policy Initiatives. The USG supports programs that enhance the capabilities of the GOB to reduce coca cultivation; arrest and bring drug traffickers to justice; promote licit economic development to provide viable options to cultivating coca, disrupt the production of cocaine within Bolivia; interdict and destroy illicit drugs and precursor chemicals moving within and through the country via operational task forces; reduce and combat domestic abuse of cocaine and other illicit drugs; institutionalize a professional law enforcement system; and improve the awareness of the Bolivian population regarding the dangers of illicit drugs. The USG also trains Bolivia National Police (BNP) officers in modern investigative techniques to curb money laundering and terrorism financing.

Bilateral Cooperation. Bilateral cooperation declined significantly in 2008 with the expulsion of DEA from the country, the limitation of USAID's alternative development programs, the expulsion of the U.S. Ambassador and the increasingly hostile rhetoric from the GOB. However, Bolivian and U.S. officials still meet regularly to implement programs and operations and to resolve issues. The State Department's Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) principally supports and assists Bolivian interdiction and eradication forces. Before their expulsion, DEA provided direct operational advisory, liaison, intelligence and funding support to the FELCN's Sensitive Investigative Units, and USAID provided significant support to GOB efforts on alternative development.

Despite this decline in the bilateral relationship, the USG continued to support institution building and development of both the BNP forces and counternarcotics prosecutors under a law enforcement training and development program (LEDP). In the last year, fifty-six courses were provided to the BNP and the prosecutors, resulting in the training of 2,351 personnel. Individuals received training in the following areas: crisis command and control, leadership and management, basic and advanced criminal investigative techniques, drug investigations, advanced interview techniques, trafficking in persons, human rights issues and integrity investigations under the GOB's Office of Professional Responsibility. Also, 16 BNP officers received basic and advanced polygraph examiner training in addition to receiving certification by the United States. These certified officers are the framework for the BNP polygraph unit and are responsible for administering polygraph examinations to all OPR investigators and counternarcotics prosecutors.

Unfortunately, the Bolivian legal system is unable to efficiently process the majority of drug cases and many criminals avoid prosecution. To address this, the USG has continued to enhance training for prosecutors, and the Public Ministry through implementation of a nationwide program to enhance the capability of the prosecutors to identify, investigate and prosecute violations of controlled substances, transnational crime, human rights issues and corruption.

Document: Section 1209 Report to Congress on Foreign-Assitance Related Programs Carried out by the Department of Defense

Program: Humanitarian and Civic Assistance

These projects are executed in a critical border area with Brazil and Peru. They facilitate stabilization in a region critical for combating terror and drugs.

Document: March 6, 2007 Hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee

Admiral Stavridis, commander, U.S. Southern Command: The good news is the United States remains the partner of choice to, I would say, the majority of nations in the region, including almost everywhere in Central America, most of the Caribbean, and most of South America. We have close military-to-military relations with almost every state with the exception of Cuba and Venezuela. Even in countries where we have differences at the government-to- government level, like Nicaragua or Bolivia, Ecuador at times, we continue to have strong military-to-military relations.

Document: International Narcotics Control Strategy Report

Policy Initiatives. The USG supports programs that enhance the capabilities of the GOB to reduce coca cultivation; arrest and bring drug traffickers to justice; promote licit economic development to provide viable options to cultivating coca, disrupt the production of cocaine within Bolivia; interdict and destroy illicit drugs and precursor chemicals moving within and through the country via operational task forces; reduce and combat domestic abuse of cocaine and other illicit drugs; institutionalize a professional law enforcement system; and improve the awareness of the Bolivian population regarding the dangers of illicit drugs. The USG also trains BNP in modern investigative techniques to curb money laundering and terrorism financing.

The USG supports institution building and development of both the Bolivian National Police (BNP) forces and counternarcotics prosecutors under a dynamic law enforcement training and development program (LEDP). In the last year, fifty-six courses were provided to the BNP and the prosecutors, resulting in the training of 2,351 personnel. Individuals received training in the following areas; basic and advanced criminal investigative techniques, drug investigations, advanced interview techniques, trafficking in persons, human rights issues and integrity investigations under the GOB’s Office of Professional Responsibility. Also, 16 BNP officers received basic and advanced polygraph examiner training in addition to receiving certification by the United States. These certified officers are the framework for the BNP polygraph unit and are responsible for administering polygraph examinations to all OPR Investigators and counternarcotics prosecutors. The USG plans to continue enhancing the knowledge of the prosecutors, and is implementing a nationwide prosecutors program in 2008 to increase the capability of the GOB to identify, investigate and prosecute violations of controlled substances, transnational crime, human rights issues, and corruption.

Bilateral Cooperation. Bolivian and U.S. officials meet regularly to coordinate policy, implement programs/operations, and resolve issues. The State Department’s Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) principally supports and assists Bolivian interdiction and eradication forces. DEA provides direct operational advisory, liaison, intelligence and funding support to the FELCN’s mission, and USAID is a significant supporter of GOB efforts on alternative development. DEA and the U.S. Embassy’s Narcotics Affairs Section continue to implement CN programs and interact with their Bolivian counterparts despite President Morales’ threats to discontinue USG-funded CN assistance.

Road Ahead. The GOB needs to expand eradication in the Yungas and enhance its efforts to interdict illegal drugs and precursors throughout Bolivia. The USG will also encourage the GOB to exert tighter control over the licit coca market and to increase cooperation with neighboring countries in counternarcotics efforts. In 2008, the USG will look to the GOB to continue eradication, of coca at the highest rate possible, and control new plantings in both the Chapare and the Yungas. The GOB should continue interdiction operations to seize cocaine products, implement stronger precursor and essential chemical control measures, and destroy drug labs and maceration pits, particularly in the Chapare and the Yungas. Other efforts should include, but are not limited to, fully implementing GOB commitments under international conventions; ensuring that full and fair investigations are conducted into credible allegations of human rights abuses by military personnel, with prosecution when appropriate; full and fair investigation and prosecution of corrupt government officials; and passage and vigorous implementation of anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws, and legislation authorizing wiretapping.