US embassy cable - 04GUATEMALA1698

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 001698 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, GT 
SUBJECT: CENTRAL AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL SUMMIT 
 
 
1.  (U) Summary: Heads of state from member countries in the 
Central American Integration System (SICA) met in Guatemala 
City at the organization's 24th Presidential Summit on June 
29.  Summit representatives discussed reforms to the Central 
American Parliament (Parlacen), migratory issues, commerce, 
and security.  Parlacen heads of state agreed to reconvene in 
August in El Salvador to vote on the Parlacen reforms.  The 
governments of Costa Rica and Belize both stated that if 
Parlacen approves the reforms, they will join the 
organization.  The Ministers of Government will also 
reconvene in late July in Nicaragua to further discuss 
security issues and to complete an agreement facilitating the 
coordination of police forces in the capture and extradition 
of criminals. End Summary. 
 
2.  (U) The attendees of the summit included the Presidents 
of Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, 
and the Dominican Republic, the First Vice President of 
Panama, and the Vice Prime Minister of Belize.  Antonio Saca, 
President of El Salvador assumed the presidency pro tempore 
of SICA. 
 
Parlacen Reforms 
---------------- 
 
3.  (U) The Parlacen reforms did not pass during this summit 
due to lack of consensus, but representatives will reconvene 
in August for a vote.  The reforms include the reduction of 
Parlacens budget and number of parliamentarians, the 
establishment of clear functions and objectives, and the 
elimination of automatic seats and criminal immunity for 
former presidents.  Vice Prime Minister of Belize John 
Briceno and President Abel Pacheco of Costa Rica indicated 
that their countries would become members of Parlacen if 
these reforms were realized. 
 
Security Issues 
--------------- 
 
4.  (U) The SICA security commission (comprised of the 
Ministers of Government and their counterparts) focused on 
arms trafficking, extradition, TIP, border security, 
combating gangs, and crimes against women.  The Ministers of 
Government will meet in late July to discuss these issues, 
develop a coordinated program of prevention and societal 
reinsertion of gang members, and complete an agreement 
facilitating the coordination of police forces in the capture 
and extradition of criminals. 
 
Migratory Issues 
---------------- 
 
5.  (U) The discussion on migratory issues revolved around 
establishing a common customs procedure for all of Central 
America, facilitating easier regional travel for Central 
Americans, and negotiating an alternative to Temporary 
Protected Status (TPS) in the US for countries whose citizens 
do not enjoy this benefit.  In terms of standardizing customs 
procedures, the heads of state instructed their Ministers of 
Economy and Foreign Commerce to present a plan outlining the 
necessary steps within 30 days, with a plan to complete the 
standardization by December 31, 2004.  The heads of state 
also agreed to intensify regional coordination so that they 
could improve the living conditions for US migrants, reduce 
the costs of transfer for remittances, and lobby the USG for 
an alternative to TPS for countries that do not enjoy those 
benefits. 
 
6.  (U) Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, also 
agreed to continue their efforts to facilitate regional 
migration of citizens.  During the summit they renewed their 
support of the Plan for Central American Migratory 
Integration (CA-4), which allows for easier ground and air 
movement by citizens of the CA-4 countries without passports. 
 President Oscar Berger told the press that the CA-4 
migration procedures will now extend to airports where, 
"there will be a window saying: 'Welcome, Central Americans,' 
and everything will be much easier." He also added that these 
changes will be implemented before August 1 of next year. 
WHARTON