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