PRESIDENT URIBE ORDERS FTA NEGOTIATING TEAM TO PUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 008414 SIPDIS DEPT PLEASE PASS USTR AMB. JOHNSON, AUSTR VARGO AND DAUSTR HARMAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/07/2015 TAGS: ECON ETRD EAGR CO FTA SUBJECT: PRESIDENT URIBE ORDERS FTA NEGOTIATING TEAM TO PUT ALL THE CARDS ON THE TABLE Classified By: AMBASSADOR WILLIAM B. WOOD. REASONS 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) During a September 7 meeting, Foreign Minister Barco took the initiative to inform the Ambassador that after the September 5 meeting with President Toledo to discuss the US-Andean FTA, President Uribe had ordered the Trade and Agricultural Ministers and the lead FTA negotiator to quote put all the cards on the table end quote with USG officials during meetings scheduled for September 9. FonMin Barco stated that the President believed the FTA had to be concluded by October and had given the negotiating team instructions to make that happen. Per Barco, Uribe told the negotiators that they should clearly state Colombia's bottom line positions. FonMin Barco also reiterated the full commitment of the President to close the negotiations as soon as possible. WOOD