GUATEMALA: INFORMATION ON U.S. MANUFACTURED

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 002406 SIPDIS SENSITIVE FOR PM/WRA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KHDP GT SUBJECT: GUATEMALA: INFORMATION ON U.S. MANUFACTURED LANDMINES REF: STATE 200879 Per Reftel Action Request, PolOff called on local OAS Demining office to seek information on current landmine clearance operations. OAS representative Guillermo Pacheco reported that current operations deal almost entirely with unexploded ordnance, with few, if any, landmines being recovered. Pacheco added that U.S. manufactured mines were not encountered during past operations as most mines used by the guerrillas were of "homemade" manufacture, and goverment access to U.S. mines was restricted due to conflict-era bans on U.S. military assistance to Guatemala. HAMILTON