CENTRAL AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL SUMMIT

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 001698

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV GT
SUBJECT: CENTRAL AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL SUMMIT



1. (U) Summary: Heads of state from member countries in the
Central American Integration System (SICA) met in Guatemala
City at the organization's 24th Presidential Summit on June

29. Summit representatives discussed reforms to the Central
American Parliament (Parlacen),migratory issues, commerce,
and security. Parlacen heads of state agreed to reconvene in
August in El Salvador to vote on the Parlacen reforms. The
governments of Costa Rica and Belize both stated that if
Parlacen approves the reforms, they will join the
organization. The Ministers of Government will also
reconvene in late July in Nicaragua to further discuss
security issues and to complete an agreement facilitating the
coordination of police forces in the capture and extradition
of criminals. End Summary.


2. (U) The attendees of the summit included the Presidents
of Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala,
and the Dominican Republic, the First Vice President of
Panama, and the Vice Prime Minister of Belize. Antonio Saca,
President of El Salvador assumed the presidency pro tempore
of SICA.

Parlacen Reforms
--------------


3. (U) The Parlacen reforms did not pass during this summit
due to lack of consensus, but representatives will reconvene
in August for a vote. The reforms include the reduction of
Parlacens budget and number of parliamentarians, the
establishment of clear functions and objectives, and the
elimination of automatic seats and criminal immunity for
former presidents. Vice Prime Minister of Belize John
Briceno and President Abel Pacheco of Costa Rica indicated
that their countries would become members of Parlacen if
these reforms were realized.

Security Issues
--------------


4. (U) The SICA security commission (comprised of the
Ministers of Government and their counterparts) focused on
arms trafficking, extradition, TIP, border security,
combating gangs, and crimes against women. The Ministers of
Government will meet in late July to discuss these issues,
develop a coordinated program of prevention and societal
reinsertion of gang members, and complete an agreement
facilitating the coordination of police forces in the capture
and extradition of criminals.

Migratory Issues
--------------


5. (U) The discussion on migratory issues revolved around
establishing a common customs procedure for all of Central
America, facilitating easier regional travel for Central
Americans, and negotiating an alternative to Temporary
Protected Status (TPS) in the US for countries whose citizens
do not enjoy this benefit. In terms of standardizing customs
procedures, the heads of state instructed their Ministers of
Economy and Foreign Commerce to present a plan outlining the
necessary steps within 30 days, with a plan to complete the
standardization by December 31, 2004. The heads of state
also agreed to intensify regional coordination so that they
could improve the living conditions for US migrants, reduce
the costs of transfer for remittances, and lobby the USG for
an alternative to TPS for countries that do not enjoy those
benefits.


6. (U) Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, also
agreed to continue their efforts to facilitate regional
migration of citizens. During the summit they renewed their
support of the Plan for Central American Migratory
Integration (CA-4),which allows for easier ground and air
movement by citizens of the CA-4 countries without passports.
President Oscar Berger told the press that the CA-4
migration procedures will now extend to airports where,
"there will be a window saying: 'Welcome, Central Americans,'
and everything will be much easier." He also added that these
changes will be implemented before August 1 of next year.
WHARTON