Guatemala Watch Dogs Out
of Cash
The International
Commission against
Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG)
reported serious
difficulties Friday
because as of next year
it will not have
financial resources to
function, besides facing
opposition by some
sectors.
Although the entity was
approved in the
Republic's Congress, and
the United Nations
appointed Spanish jurist
Carlos Castresana
director, the creation
of the Guatemalan
counterpart has severe
restrictions.
Principal among them
will be lack of
financing, because in
the State 2008 budget,
the CICIG apportionment
decreased from $6.6
million to $1.3 million,
which money pays
salaries of Guatemalan
investigators and
installation and running
expenses.
The international staff
and the office itself
will depend on the
United Nations.
Guatemalan President
Oscar Berger has said
the Executive will
negotiate with deputies
to maintain the original
budget and start the
organization working in
2008 as planned.
The commission against
impunity was created by
a government-UN accord
to face organized crime,
deeply entrenched in
government institutions,
particularly security
bodies. |
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