(C/NF) KUDOS TO U.S. EMBASSY GUATEMALA CITY

S E C R E T STATE 070075 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2034 TAGS: PINR ECON PGOV PREL GT SUBJECT: (C/NF) KUDOS TO U.S. EMBASSY GUATEMALA CITY POLITICAL SECTION FOR REPORTING AND TDY SUPPORT (C-AL9-01385) REF: GUATEMALA 000478 Classified By: SUZANNE MCCORMICK, DIR., INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C). ¶1. (C/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS APPRECIATE POST'S REPORTING (REFTEL) ON THE CURRENT POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE IN GUATEMALA SURROUNDING THE ROSENBERG SCANDAL. THIS REPORTING ADDED VALUE TO ANALYSTS' BRIEFING FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL IN MAY WITH UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE SCANDAL, COLOM'S ADMINISTRATION, AND THE POLITICAL STABILITY OF GUATEMALA. ¶2. (S/NF) ANALYSTS WISH TO THANK GUATEMALA CITY POLITICAL OFFICER GEORGE MATHEWS AND FSN RONALD FLORES FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING SUPPORT ON A RECENT TDY (27-30 APRIL 2009). POLOFF MATHEWS AND MR. FLORES PROVIDED EXCELLENT SUPPORT IN ARRANGING A VARIETY OF MEETINGS OUTSIDE THE EMBASSY, INCLUDING MEETINGS WITH A GUATEMALAN CONGRESSMAN, NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND PRIVATE SECTOR AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. THE PERSPECTIVE GAINED FROM ALL OF THE MEETINGS WILL SHAPE POLITICAL, SECURITY, AND ECONOMIC ASSESSMENTS OF GUATEMALA. SUCH INSIGHTS WILL INFORM A FORTHCOMING NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE ON CENTRAL AMERICA, SEPARATE FINISHED PRODUCTS ON LATIN AMERICAN POPULISM, AND OTHER ASSESSMENTS ON PRESIDENT COLOM'S ADMINISTRATION AND THE SECURITY SITUATION. ¶3. (C) ANALYSTS LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH POST'S OFFICERS AND STAFF IN THE FUTURE. AGAIN, SINCEREST THANKS, AND WARM REGARDS FROM WASHINGTON. CLINTON