UNCLAS GUATEMALA 001145

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM PHUM KWMN PREL PGOV SMIG KPAO GT
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON 2007 TIP REPORT

REF: STATE 78791


1. (U) DCM delivered reftel demarche to Vice Minister of
Foreign Affairs Marta Altolaguirre, informing her of the June
12 release of the 2007 TIP Report and G/TIP's decision to
place Guatemala on the Tier 2 Watch List this year based on
criteria outlined in reftel. Altolaguirre acknowledged that
enforcement operations have not been optimal during the past
year and pledged renewed efforts to secure better cooperation
from the Attorney General's office, leading to investigation
and prosecution of trafficking cases.


2. (U) Vice Minister Altolaguirre said she would review
Guatemala's country narrative and seek a meeting with us in
the coming days to outline a strategy for improving
Guatemala's performance. Embassy will follow up with the
Foreign Ministry, the Attorney General's office, and other
key Guatemalan institutions to seek ways to work together to
improve Guatemala's anti-trafficking efforts. DCM provided a
copy of the 2000 Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA),
with amendments and ranking criteria.
Derham