GUATEMALA'S NO SHOOT-DOWN POLICY

C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 002017

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2013
TAGS: SNAR MOPS EAIR PREL PINR GT
SUBJECT: GUATEMALA'S NO SHOOT-DOWN POLICY


Classified By: PolMil Officer Robert E. Copley for reason 1.5 (a) and (
b).


1. (C) Summary: Following the April 14 downing of a civilian
aircraft carrying cocaine in Honduras, we have met with
senior Guatemalan military officials to confirm that the GOG
has a strict policy against firing on civilian aircraft
believed to be transporting narcotics and to ensure that they
understand that the shootdown of drug laden civilian aircraft
would not/not help the GOG get recertified as a cooperating
partner on the war on drugs. Senior GOG military officials
at every level assured us that the necessary safeguards are
in place. End Summary.


2. (C) The April 14 shoot down by the Honduran Air Force of a
civilian aircraft carrying narcotics raised our concern that,
in the GOG's interest in obtaining USG counternarcotics
"recertification," some in the Guatemalan military may have
considered relaxing their strict rules against shooting down
suspect aircraft. The Ambassador instructed MilGroup and DAO
to engage the Guatemalan military at the highest levels to
restate our policy against shootdowns, and to make it clear
that violations of it would be devastating in the USG's
evaluation of GOG counter-narcotics cooperation.
Furthermore, a shootdown would lead to the immediate
suspension of USG information sharing on potential narcotics
flight tracks.


3. (C) The USG Military Group Commander met separately with
Minister of Defense Moran, Army Chief of Staff Rios Sosa and
Air Force Commander Hasse to deliver this message. The
senior GOG military leaders assured us that the GOG has firm
guidelines in place to ensure that a shootdown will not
happen, and that they fully understood our message that a
shootdown would kill rather than help "recertification"
consideration.


4. (C) The DATT met with the MOD again in July to reinforce
our concerns about the possibility of an "accidental"
shootdown. The MOD assured DATT that strict guidelines had
been issued, that in no case will the Guatemalan Air Force
fire warning shots at civilian aircraft. He further
indicated that the only situation in which Air Force pilots
were authorized to use their weapons was in self defense
after being fired upon.
HAMILTON