Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05LIMA2017
2005-05-02 22:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Lima
Cable title:  

ANOTHER ATPDEA DISPUTE OVER; LUZ DEL SUR AND

Tags:  EINV ECON ETRD PGOV PE 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LIMA 002017 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR WHA/AND, WHA/EPSC, EB/IFD/OFD, EB/CBA, EB/IFD/OIA
TREASURY FOR OASIA/INL, DO/GCHRISTOPOLUS
COMMERCE FOR 4331/MAC/WH/MCAMERON
USTR FOR BHARMAN/DWEINER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV ECON ETRD PGOV PE
SUBJECT: ANOTHER ATPDEA DISPUTE OVER; LUZ DEL SUR AND
ENGELHARD ONE STEP CLOSER

REF: Lima 995

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LIMA 002017

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR WHA/AND, WHA/EPSC, EB/IFD/OFD, EB/CBA, EB/IFD/OIA
TREASURY FOR OASIA/INL, DO/GCHRISTOPOLUS
COMMERCE FOR 4331/MAC/WH/MCAMERON
USTR FOR BHARMAN/DWEINER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV ECON ETRD PGOV PE
SUBJECT: ANOTHER ATPDEA DISPUTE OVER; LUZ DEL SUR AND
ENGELHARD ONE STEP CLOSER

REF: Lima 995


1. (SBU) Summary. Good news on three commercial disputes.
Arcadis signed its contract for an environmental remediation
project, completely resolving that dispute. In the Luz del
Sur case, The Tax Court has a new valuation of the U.S.
company's assets (similar to the firm's initial appraisal)
and should issue a final resolution by mid-May. The
Superior Court last week held an oral hearing to introduce
the new justice to the Engelhard dispute. The new justice
could issue a ruling within a month, perhaps by early June,
which could be the deciding vote to resolve the
administrative case. End Summary.

Arcadis Dispute Resolved
--------------


2. (U) After several delays, Arcadis finally signed its
contract with PlusPetrol for the Lot 8 environmental
remediation project in Loreto Department on April 29.
According to Herman Barrios, Arcadis legal counsel, Arcadis
should begin work in the next few weeks.

Luz Del Sur Valuation Complete,
Final Tax Court Ruling Next
--------------


3. (SBU) GOP appraisers in CONATA finished their asset
valuation of Luz del Sur (owned by U.S. companies PSEG and
Sempra Energy). Except for a small discrepancy, the results
largely coincided with the U.S.-owned company's initial
appraisal. With interest and penalties, the company expects
it will have to pay approximately $1-1.5 million. The Tax
Court now has the valuation and is expected to issue a final
resolution by May 15.

New Judge Hears Engelhard Case
--------------


4. (SBU) On March 1, the Superior Court justices issued a
split decision, 2-1, in favor of Engelhard. Peruvian law
dictates that the winning side must have a minimum of three
votes in its favor. Because the Superior Court could not
issue a decisive ruling, an additional justice was brought
in to issue an opinion on the Engelhard case. On April 28,
the new Superior Court justice listened to oral arguments.
This judge could issue her decision in approximately one
month, perhaps by early June.


5. (SBU) If the judge sides with the two Superior Court
judges who voted in favor of Engelhard, the Superior Court
would return the case to the Tax Court with instructions to
disregard all the irregular actions of third parties cited
in the file and drop the IGV tax law article used to justify
SUNAT's withholding of the company's tax rebate for exported
gold. Under this scenario, Engelhard's local attorney
estimated that the Tax Court could issue a final ruling a
month after the Judge's vote, perhaps in July to resolve the
administrative case.

Princeton Dover Waiting for final Judge's Opinion
-------------- --------------


6. (U) The Superior Court issued a split decision, 2-1,
against Princeton Dover in early March. Similar to the
Engelhard case, the winning side must have a minimum of
three votes in its favor. Shortly after the April 14
hearing, the fourth justice sided with Princeton Dover,
making the count 2-2. A hearing is scheduled on May 24 to
inform a fifth judge about the case. If Princeton Dover
prevails, the Tax Court would be instructed to issue a final
ruling in the case (and not wait until the criminal case
concludes).

Comment: Making Progress
--------------


7. (SBU) GOP Disputes Coordinator Aurelio Loret de Mola has
kept the ATPDEA dispute resolution process on track. We
expect the Northrop Grumman and Luz del Sur disputes to be
fully resolved in May or June. That leaves us with pending
judicial decisions for Engelhard and Princeton Dover. The
only dispute lacking strong progress is that of LeTourneau,
which will require more time and a concerted effort on both
sides at finding an agreeable compensation figure. We will
continue work closely with Loret de Mola on the remaining
cases.

STRUBLE