FOREIGN MINISTRY EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER PERUVIAN

UNCLAS LIMA 003588 SIPDIS WHA FOR MONSERRATE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PE SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTRY EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER PERUVIAN LEFT COMATOSE AFTER ALTERCATION WITH ALLEN, TEXAS POLICE REF: LIMA 3492 Action Request in Paragraph 4. ¶1. Embassy has received the following dip note from the Peruvian Foreign Affairs Ministry regarding the case of Edgar Vera Monte, a Peruvian who is on life support following an altercation with police in Allen, Texas on 8/4. "The Ministry of Foreign Relations, Office of the Secretary of Peruvian Communities Abroad, is writing to the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy to express its profound concern and surprise over the actions taken by the Police of Allen, Texas against Peruvian Citizen Edgar Vera Morante last August ¶4. According to information received by the Peruvian Consulate in Houston, (the Allen, Texas Police) used excessive force (in detaining Vera Morante),an excess of force that violated judicial norms for arrest procedures in the United States as well as those stipulated in existing treaties regarding the observation of human rights. The Ministry of Foreign Relations, Office of the Secretary of Peruvian Communities Abroad, is requesting, through the United States Government, that an immediate and exhaustive investigation of this incident be carried out and that punitive sanctions be applied as appropriate." ¶2. About 20 family members and supporters of Vera protested outside Embassy from 1100-1300 hours on August 12 (Reftel). Later that day, at about 2000, the same group returned and held a one-hour candlelight vigil for Vera in front of Embassy. Both protests were peaceful. ¶3. The Vera Case continues to make the news in Peru, with local papers claiming that excessive force was used in Vera's arrest. Congress President Marcial Ayaipoma told the Ambassador on 8/15 that he expects this matter will soon be raised in the legislature, and requested an update on the investigation into the incident. ¶4. Embassy requests guidance in responding to the Foreign Ministry's Dip Note and future press inquiries. We suggest a response along the lines of: -The United States Government and the State of Texas are concerned over all allegations regarding the use of excessive force. -In the case of Edgar Vera Monte, an indepdnent investigation of the actions of the Allen, Texas Police Department is being carried out by the Texas Rangers and monitored by the FBI. -The U.S. Embassy will provide the results of this investigation to the Foreign Ministry as soon as they are available. STRUBLE