(C/NF) ASSESSMENT OF GUATEMALAN MILITARY AND

S E C R E T STATE 101373

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2034
TAGS: PINR GT
SUBJECT: (C/NF) ASSESSMENT OF GUATEMALAN MILITARY AND
THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH PRESIDENT COLOM (C-AL9-01635)

REF: GUATEMALA 000050

Classified By: MICHAEL P. OWENS, ACTING DIR, INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C).


1. (S/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS ARE FOLLOWING GUATEMALA'S
POLITICAL SITUATION IN LIGHT OF THE HONDURAS POLITICAL CRISIS
INVOLVING THE MILITARY-ASSISTED OUSTER OF PRESIDENT ZELAYA
AND APPRECIATE POST'S REPORTING ON THE ISSUE. WE ARE
INTERESTED IN COLOM'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MILITARY IN LIGHT
OF REFTEL THAT COLOM BELIEVED HIS POLITICAL OPPONENTS WERE
PLOTTING A "DESTABILIZATION PLAN" THAT WOULD INVOLVE HIS OWN
ASSASSINATION. AS TIME AND RESOURCES ALLOW, WE WOULD WELCOME
POST'S INSIGHT INTO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. MANY THANKS FROM
WASHINGTON.

--(S/NF) HOW HAS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GUATEMALAN
MILITARY AND COLOM CHANGED SINCE THE OUSTER OF ZELAYA, IF AT
ALL?

--(S/NF) WHICH OF COLOM,S POLITICAL OPPONENTS HAVE CLOSE
RELATIONS WITH THE MILITARY'S HIGH COMMAND?


2. (U) PLEASE CITE C-AL9-01635 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF
REPORTING IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS.
CLINTON