UNIVERSALIZATION OF FRAMEWORK TREATY ON DEMOCRATIC

UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 000169 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL MARR MCAP ES CS PM GANGS SUBJECT: UNIVERSALIZATION OF FRAMEWORK TREATY ON DEMOCRATIC SECURITY IN CENTRAL AMERICA REF: A. STATE 009539 ¶B. SAN JOSE 001488 On January 23, Poloff met with Jose Francisco Gonzalez Cortez, Security and Defense Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regarding the Framework Treaty on Democratic Security in Central America. Gonzalez explained that he had been one of the original drafters of the Framework Treaty, and that he likewise believed in the importance of all the Central American countries ratifying the Treaty. He stated that because issues such as gangs, narco-trafficking, corruption, and arms control are so important for the stability of the region, it was essential for Costa Rica and Panama to ratify the Treaty so they could assume greater responsibility. Gonzalez further added that the drafters of the treaty took into account that Costa Rica and Panama did not have standing armies, but that ten years ago when the presidents arrived to sign the document, they worried about some of the provisions. He welcomed the United States' renewed efforts to encourage Costa Rica and Panama to ratify the document and participate more fully in regional security efforts. Barclay