The DOS has issued a new notice about meetings they held with First Lady Berger. I'll just point out that it is wrong in implying that the Protocolo is constitutional and urge readers to read it realizing what it indicates about where our government stands on Guatemalan adoption reform.
You can read it by clicking on more below or here.
April 3, 2007
Assistant Secretary Maura Harty Meets with Guatemalan First Lady
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Maura Harty met with the First Lady of Guatemala, Wendy de Berger, on March 15 to discuss adoption reform in Guatemala. They agreed that reform, which implements the Hague Intercountry Adoption Convention, is urgently needed in Guatemala. Assistant Secretary Harty expressed appreciation to the First Lady for her leadership regarding the publication of the Manual of Good Practices based on existing Guatemalan laws for the protection of children. Assistant Secretary Harty and the First Lady agreed that additional resources will be necessary to fund the principal agencies responsible for the oversight of intercountry adoptions.
Assistant Secretary Harty reassured First Lady de Berger that the U.S. Government will continue to work closely with the Government of Guatemala on reform efforts. She also noted that the U.S. Government is using greater scrutiny in its processing of individual adoption cases.
Assistant Secretary Harty also took the opportunity to assure First Lady de Berger that the U.S. Government would ratify the Hague Convention by the end of 2007. They then reaffirmed their mutual understanding that the U.S. Government will not be able to continue adoptions in Guatemala once the treaty is in effect in the United States if the Guatemalan Government does not take the steps necessary to implement the Hague Convention.
I agree with you Kevin, this little blurb speaks volumes as to the US government's position on adoption reform in Guatemala. :-(
Lisa
Dear folks,
We have GOT to somehow do a better job communicating with our own DOS. I have sent many letters to our legal representatives, and so have many of my families. Does anyonw know how to contact the people involved directly? They just don't seem to understand. Either that, or there are factors involved that have nothing to do with the welfare of the children from Guatemala.
Sally, I agree! I wish I knew a way to contact the people involved directly. This was my reaction to the wonderful FOA rebuttal to the DOS statement--it's great, but will *anyone* at DOS read it?
I think you're onto something that there are other factors involved.
For some reason, I guess just a blend of things I've heard and read from mulitple sources, I do think the DOS will, with their "heightened scrutiny," continue to process cases of families with referrals until the US ratifies the Hague.
My biggest concern in all this is that some transition period while Gaute works things out does not cause waiting Guatemalan children to be "in limbo" legally under Guatemalan law.
Wendy
Posted by: Wendy at April 13, 2007 09:19 AM