Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SANSALVADOR1287
2007-07-03 22:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy San Salvador
Cable title:
SALVADORAN READOUT OF BELIZE SICA SUMMIT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSN #1287 1842230 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 032230Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6864 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO PRIORITY 6550 RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUCNFB/FBI WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 001287
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA SHANNON AND FEELY
NSC FOR FISK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10 YEARS
TAGS: ASEC EFIN PGOV PINR PINS PREL PTER SNAR KCRM
ES
SUBJECT: SALVADORAN READOUT OF BELIZE SICA SUMMIT
Classified By: Ambassador Charles L. Glazer, Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 001287
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA SHANNON AND FEELY
NSC FOR FISK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10 YEARS
TAGS: ASEC EFIN PGOV PINR PINS PREL PTER SNAR KCRM
ES
SUBJECT: SALVADORAN READOUT OF BELIZE SICA SUMMIT
Classified By: Ambassador Charles L. Glazer, Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (SBU) Meeting on Belize's San Pedro Island, leaders of
member states of the Central American Integration System
(SICA) discussed and approved a GOES proposal to enhance
cooperation and coordination among the Central American
countries regarding regional security and crime. The
proposal was divided into several sections to address
organized crime, narcotics trafficking, gangs, terrorism,
intelligence, border security, and legal issues. The
proposal also contemplates a common Central American arrest
warrant, but--disappointingly--makes no mention of
extradition. Post will forward an English version of the
proposal with revisions made during the Belize conference as
soon as it is available.
2. (C) On July 3, Legal Attache (FBI),DOJ Attache, and INL
Director met with Civilian National Police (PNC) Director
Rodrigo Avila, who authored the Salvadoran proposal and
attended the SICA summit, in order to ascertain his
perspective on the SICA process and regional integration on
law enforcement issues. Avila (strictly protect)
acknowledged the need for regional integration, and offered
assurances that the Saca administration is committed to
advancing the cause. However, when pressed on the specifics
of the Salvadoran proposal, Avila conceded that--at best--the
document represented no more than the political desires of
SICA member states. The Belize summit witnessed no serious
debate on the proposal, and no technical discussions have
occurred regarding its implementation. Politically-sensitive
issues such as extradition were intentionally excluded in
order to ensure consensus. Avila was uncertain as to how
SICA member governments will develop a budget, and what type
of assistance they may request from the USG.
3. (C) COMMENT: SICA has heretofore functioned primarily in
customs and immigration integration; only recently has it
tackled politically-sensitive issues such as security and
organized crime. Avila readily conceded that he would not
share delicate intelligence with Guatemala and Honduras,
given the current state of their police forces. Post
acknowledges the value of encouraging regional integration on
security issues, but cautions that the process may not
proceed as rapidly as the Centrals indicate publicly. The
USG must encourage SICA member states to move ahead technical
discussions on further security integration as soon as
possible. END COMMENT.
Glazer
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA SHANNON AND FEELY
NSC FOR FISK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10 YEARS
TAGS: ASEC EFIN PGOV PINR PINS PREL PTER SNAR KCRM
ES
SUBJECT: SALVADORAN READOUT OF BELIZE SICA SUMMIT
Classified By: Ambassador Charles L. Glazer, Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (SBU) Meeting on Belize's San Pedro Island, leaders of
member states of the Central American Integration System
(SICA) discussed and approved a GOES proposal to enhance
cooperation and coordination among the Central American
countries regarding regional security and crime. The
proposal was divided into several sections to address
organized crime, narcotics trafficking, gangs, terrorism,
intelligence, border security, and legal issues. The
proposal also contemplates a common Central American arrest
warrant, but--disappointingly--makes no mention of
extradition. Post will forward an English version of the
proposal with revisions made during the Belize conference as
soon as it is available.
2. (C) On July 3, Legal Attache (FBI),DOJ Attache, and INL
Director met with Civilian National Police (PNC) Director
Rodrigo Avila, who authored the Salvadoran proposal and
attended the SICA summit, in order to ascertain his
perspective on the SICA process and regional integration on
law enforcement issues. Avila (strictly protect)
acknowledged the need for regional integration, and offered
assurances that the Saca administration is committed to
advancing the cause. However, when pressed on the specifics
of the Salvadoran proposal, Avila conceded that--at best--the
document represented no more than the political desires of
SICA member states. The Belize summit witnessed no serious
debate on the proposal, and no technical discussions have
occurred regarding its implementation. Politically-sensitive
issues such as extradition were intentionally excluded in
order to ensure consensus. Avila was uncertain as to how
SICA member governments will develop a budget, and what type
of assistance they may request from the USG.
3. (C) COMMENT: SICA has heretofore functioned primarily in
customs and immigration integration; only recently has it
tackled politically-sensitive issues such as security and
organized crime. Avila readily conceded that he would not
share delicate intelligence with Guatemala and Honduras,
given the current state of their police forces. Post
acknowledges the value of encouraging regional integration on
security issues, but cautions that the process may not
proceed as rapidly as the Centrals indicate publicly. The
USG must encourage SICA member states to move ahead technical
discussions on further security integration as soon as
possible. END COMMENT.
Glazer