COMMENTS FOR PRESENTATION OF INL-FUNDED COMPUTERS TO GOA COUNTER-NARCOTICS FORCES

April 9, 2008

Good morning.  Thank you, Comisario General Gorocito for your kind introduction.  Thank you also to the other members of the Policia Federal Argentina, Prefectura Naval Argentina, Gendarmeria Nacional, Policia de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Policia de Mendoza, Policia de Salta, and Policia de Jujuy for taking the time to be here this morning.

First, I would like to commend, once again, your and the Government of Argentina’s efforts in combating drug trafficking in Argentina and the region. 

Drug trafficking networks around the world are growing increasingly sophisticated and, as nations work together to tighten the net in one area, these networks seek other areas in which to operate.  No region and no country is immune to their effect in terms of health costs incurred by increased drug use, and threats to public security, and even political stability.  For this reason, it is essential that we make every effort to work together under international and regional conventions, and bilateral agreements to combat this scourge.

I am proud to say that the U.S. government has long worked cooperatively to support Argentina’s counter-narcotics efforts.  In 2007 alone, Argentine law enforcement agencies with U.S. government collaboration, worked together to dismantle drug trafficking organizations, seize hundreds of thousands of dollars in assets, and make a significant contribution to removing illegal drugs from the streets.

Please know that your efforts here contribute to reducing the availability of drugs in the United States, and we remain committed to working with you on counter-narcotics efforts in the years to come.

To that end I am happy to present you with these computers and notify you of the imminent donation of six vehicles (once the Cancilleria has completed the necessary paperwork – perhaps you could help us in urging the Cancilleria to speed up the process?) which are destined for elements in all of the agencies present.  This is a modest contribution under the auspices of our bilateral Agreement on International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement, and it is hoped that this equipment will be used to enhance counter-narcotics investigations and interagency communications and interoperability.

I look forward to even closer cooperation and additional positive results from our combined efforts in the future.