The following description of the IMET program for NAVSCIATTS came from the U.S. State Department's Congressional Presentation for Foreign Operations for Fiscal Year 1999:¹

U.S. Foreign Policy Objectives:

The United States has a strong interest in maintaining the U.S. Navy Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School (NAVSCIATTS) located in Panama used to train navies and coast guards from Latin American coutnries. This component of the Latin American navies and coast guards is essential to meeting the challenges that international terrorism, narcotics traffickers and smugglers pose to national security and regional peace. Graduates of the training play a pivotal role in building security partnerships with the U.S. and other governments throughout the region.

Strategies for FY 1999:

The U.S. will continue to build upon the success of the NAVSCIATTS program through continued IMET funding to enhance U.S.-Latin American and regional collaboration in riverine and coastal naval cooperation.

Indicators:

• Standardization, inter-operability, and increased professionalism among the region's coastal and riverine forces
• Number of trafficker arrests and seizures of marijuana and coca leaves in the region.

Source:

¹ United States, Department of State, Office of Resources, Plans and Policy, Congressional Presentation for Foreign Operations, Fiscal Year 1999 (Washington: March 1998): 485.