ambassador
Ambassador's Speech
REMARKS BY AMBASSADOR WAYNE AT DEA DRUG DOG DONATION EVENT
Salta
December 1, 2006
Señor Gobernador Romero, Señor Gutiérrez, Doctor Ferrari, Doctor Granero, Comandante Mayor Versellis, Comandante Principal Bernardes, Dr. Sain, y los otros invitados honorables.
Good Morning, I am delighted to participate in this ceremony today to mark the hand-over of the latest drug dogs trained here in Salta. As you know, the grupo especial Frontera Norte has been training dogs for counternarcotics for several years here in Salta, and we are proud that we could play a role in the program. The initial drug dogs for the Northern Border Task Force (NBTF) were purchased by DEA/INL in 1998 from the United States and trainers were brought from the US to train the dogs and their handlers. Fighting the scourge of narcotrafficking is on of the highest priority areas where our two governments work together very cooperatively. We have much to show for this cooperation, including the excellent work that is being done here in Salta and Jujuy.
Since 1998, the NBTF dog program has not only expanded its dog program to eight dogs, but they have also donated seven dogs to the PSA, Gendarmeria Nacional, and the Police Provincial de Salta.
The NBTF dog unit has also hosted 11 training courses since its inception, providing approximately 400 drug dogs and their handlers with refresher training. The forces who have received the benefits of this training include the Argentine Federal Police, The Policía de Seguridad Aeroportuario (PSA), the Aduanas, the Gendarmeria Nacional, and the Provincial Police of Salta, Jujuy, Chaco, Formosa, Tucuman, Santiago del Estero, and Tierra del Fuego. I congratulate all of you on the way you have developed and expanded this unique program.
This is a wonderful example of interagency success and bilateral cooperation in Argentina. Again, I congratulate you on the success and progress that you have made, and I wish you continued success in the critical war on drugs.
Thank you for inviting me to be part of this celebration.