PANAMA SUPPORTS OAS MANPADS GUIDELINES

S E C R E T PANAMA 001570

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2015
TAGS: PARM MASS EAIR ETTC PREL OAS LABOR HUMAN RIGHTSPOLMIL
SUBJECT: PANAMA SUPPORTS OAS MANPADS GUIDELINES

REF: STATE 113041

Classified By: A/DCM JDANILOWICZ FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (S) Ministry of Government and Justice Security Advisor
Severino Mejia told POLOFF on July 19 that Panama supports
OAS Guidelines for Control of MANPADS. Importing or
exporting this type of weapon into Panama is illegal. Mejia
wants to work with the Embassy to reduce smuggling of weapons
and other contraband. He is working closely with Costa Rica
to secure Panama's western border.


2. (SBU) Panama's Tocumen International Airport is an
important commercial hub for all of Latin America. Panama
has a strong interest in preventing attacks on commercial
aircraft.

DANILOWICZ