PERU PRESSING FOR PRO-FTA STATEMENT FOLLOWING

C O N F I D E N T I A L LIMA 004645

SIPDIS

BUENOS AIRES PLEASE PASS TO SOA USDEL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2015
TAGS: PREL ETRD KSUM PE
SUBJECT: PERU PRESSING FOR PRO-FTA STATEMENT FOLLOWING
MEETING WITH POTUS AT THE SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS

Classified By: Political Counselor Alexander Margulies. Reason: 1.4(b
/d).


1. (C) Foreign Minister Oscar Maurtua, during a 10/28
breakfast hosted by the Ambassador, reiterated Peru's
interest in using the meeting at the Summit of the Americas
between the Andean Presidents and POTUS to advance the FTA
process. The Ambassador noted that USTR Portman is the
person who would handle any "political-level" final issues in
the FTA negotiation and Peru would be barking up the wrong
tree in trying to cast President Bush in such a role.
Maurtua took the point, but stated that at the very least the
GOP would like to see the presidents issue a statement
reaffirming their continued strong commitment to conclude an
Andean-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. He stressed that the GOP
needs a strong "political gesture" to fortify its domestic
pro-FTA lobbying efforts and publicity campaign.


2. (C) Maurtua added that Peru's delegation to the meeting
with POTUS will consist of President Alejandro Toledo, First
Lady Eliane Karp (in her function as Presidential Advisor,
not/not as First Lady),Prime Minister Pedro Pablo Kuczynski,
Maurtua himself, and either Foreign Trade Minister Alfredo
Ferrero or Peru's Ambassador to Washington Eduardo Ferrero
(who is pressing to be included).
STRUBLE