GUATEMALAN DELEGATION TO DMA VIII CONFERENCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 001031

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PM/RSAT JEFF BURNETT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/13/2018
TAGS: ECON MARR MOPS PGOV PREL GT
SUBJECT: GUATEMALAN DELEGATION TO DMA VIII CONFERENCE
SEPTEMBER 2-6 IN ALBERTA CANADA.

REF: STATE 83680

Classified By: Ambassador Stephen McFarland for reasons 1.4(b,d)


1. (C) On August 11, Embassy officer met with Colonel Manuel
ALVAREZ Carranza with the MOD's Political Military Affairs
Office to discuss the GOG's travel party and agenda for the
September 2-6 DMA VIII conference in Alberta, Canada.
According to Alvarez, the GOG's delegation will include the
following individuals: the Minister of Defense, Major General
Marco Tulio GARCIA Franco; the head of General Garcia's
personal staff, Colonel Ruiz Morales: Colonel Alvarez; and
General Garcia's wife, Sandra Veronica Guerra. The GOG
delegation plans to present a 10-15 minute presentation
focusing on regional participation in peacekeeping operations
(PKO),with special mention of the Central American CFAC
Battalion and the participation of women in Guatemalan PKO
operations.


2. (C) Alvarez stated that the only GOG objective for the
conference will be to increase international awareness of
Guatemala's positive contributions in the area of PKO. In
conversations with USG participants it is likely that Garcia
will raise the issue of Merida funding and its availability
to the military.

McFarland