PANAMA: HCOC "INREACH"

UNCLAS PANAMA 000778 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/MTR (JOHN PAUL HERRMANN) AND WHA/CEN (ELIA TELLO) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MNUC KSCA ETTC TSPA MTCRE PM SUBJECT: PANAMA: HCOC "INREACH" REF: STATE 64021 Panamanian MFA DG for International Political Affairs Javier Bonagas undertook to check into the status of Panama's Annual Declaration (AD) on space and ballistic missile policies in response to May 14 inquiry by POLCOUNS. Bonagas said Panama would submit as soon as possible its AD to the Immediate Central Contact (ICC) with respect to its participation in the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC). Since Panama was in the midst of preparations for the General Assembly of the Organization of American States to be held June 3-5 though, Bonagas said that it might not be possible to provide an answer before the next meeting to be held May 31-June, unless Panama's response was already being prepared. Bonagas requested a copy of the text of the HCOC and the "nil form," noting he was particularly relieved that such a simplified format was available to countries such as Panama that did not have a ballistic missile program. Post would appreciate Department's assistance in providing the HCOC text and the "nil form" as soon as possible so that it may be shared with Bonagas' office. Post will report any further developments on this matter. EATON