PRESIDENT SIGNS MINI-SOFA DECREE

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 002278 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR PREL MASS MOPS GT SUBJECT: PRESIDENT SIGNS MINI-SOFA DECREE REF: GUATEMALA 2132 The text of Congressional Decree 40-2003 (reftel),which authorizes the New Horizons 2004 Humanitarian Joint and Civic Assistance exercise and contains all of the terms and protections we seek in a long-term SOFA, was signed into law by President Portillo on September 1, 2003. The decree was published in Guatemala's official gazette on September 4, ¶2003. With these steps the approval process is complete. The agreement will enter into force upon notification from the Foreign Ministry that all internal legal requirements for approval have been met. The terms of the agreement will only apply during March - June 2004 to personnel participating in the New Horizons exercise. HAMILTON