GUATEMALA: NEXT STEPS ON PSI

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 002578 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR NP/RA, T, AND WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL GT SUBJECT: GUATEMALA: NEXT STEPS ON PSI REF: (A) USUN 2095 (NOTAL) (B) GUATEMALA 1635 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. This is an action request. See paragraph 4. ¶2. Following up on U/S Bolton's discussion with Guatemalan Foreign Minister Briz (ref A),the Ambassador raised the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) with Briz on September 29. Briz expressed support for the PSI in principle. He said the Foreign Ministry would welcome a visitor from Washington to discuss the PSI in greater depth. ¶3. Comment: Guatemala has only two Guatemalan-flagged vessels. Post understands that Guatemala may therefore not warrant bringing someone from Washington to discuss a shipboarding agreement at this time. ¶4. Action request: Post requests Department guidance on how best to respond to GOG interest in PSI. WHARTON