DEMARCHE ON ADVANCING THE DEMOCRACY AGENDA AT 4TH

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 002200 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR G JOAQUIN FERRAO DEPT ALSO FOR DRL/MLGA LAURA JORDAN AND IO/RHS AMY OSTERMEIER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM PHUM PREL UNGA PGOV GT SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON ADVANCING THE DEMOCRACY AGENDA AT 4TH COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES MINISTERIAL REF: A. STATE 151024 ¶B. GUATEMALA 1934 ¶1. POLOFF delivered ref A demarche outlining the democracy agenda of the Community of Democracies (CD) Bamako Ministerial to Luis Carranza, Director of Multilateral Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ¶2. Carranza said that the GOG will not be participating in the Bamako Ministerial due to limited travel funds and GOG commitments during the busy transition period. However, it will be closely following the Ministerial and reviewing the results of the proceedings. ¶3. Carranza affirmed GOG support of the USG view on the Bamako Declaration and the role of NGOs and other civil society organizations in ensuring accountable and democratic governments. He reiterated GOG's earlier support (ref B) for NGOs that promote democratic values and support initiatives that embrace CD principles, and affirmed GOG's support of resolutions that defend civil society and protect the rights of NGOs. He pointed out that Guatemala learned from its "dark past" that NGOs play a pivotal role in promoting democracy and human rights. ¶4. Carranza restated his earlier reservation (ref B) on the Secretariat initiative, saying that he would need to review SIPDIS additional information and consult with the Minister of Foreign Affairs before expressing GOG support. Derham