CONTINUED COLOMBIAN SUPPORT AT SUMMIT OF THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 009248 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/EPSC THOMAS MESA E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2015 TAGS: PGOV ECON KSUM CO SUBJECT: CONTINUED COLOMBIAN SUPPORT AT SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS REF: A. STATE 178321 ¶B. BOGOTA 8329 Classified By: Political Counselor Jeffrey DeLaurentis; Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) PolOff delivered Ref A demarche to MFA Summit of the Americas Coordinator Francisco Gonzalez on September 27. PolCouns followed up with new Multilateral Affairs Office Director Nicolas Rivas on September 28. Emboffs stressed U.S. concerns about the tone and content of the draft leaders' statement and asked the GOC to consider a joint statement on the importance of the private sector and market forces and trade in promoting jobs and growth. ¶2. (C) Gonzalez, who will be in Washington for the SIRG starting October 3, is well-versed in U.S. concerns and said the U.S. could count on continued Colombian support. He noted, however, that Colombia "was not the problem." In his opinion, it will be difficult to overcome "too much consensus" in Mercosur. Gonzalez also said the Colombians are frustrated with Argentine leadership because they regularly prevent full discussion on the issues. Despite assurances of shared concerns and continued support, Gonzalez reiterated that the GOC's goal was to serve as a consensus builder (Ref B). ¶3. (U) Gonzalez was already familiar with the U.S. proposal for the introductory paragraphs of the leaders' statement. He said Colombia has no "core disagreement." He also said the GOC would be interested in reviewing a proposed joint statement on these introductory paragraphs. He looks forward to discussing this further next week in Washington. ¶4. (U) According to Gonzalez and others in the MFA, President Uribe and Foreign Minister Barco are likely to attend the Summit in November, along with Minister of Social Protection Diego Palacio and Director of National Planning Santiago Montenegro. WOOD