ANDEAN COMMUNITY SECGEN WAGNER'S PROPOSALS TO

UNCLAS LIMA 005135 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PE SUBJECT: ANDEAN COMMUNITY SECGEN WAGNER'S PROPOSALS TO ENERGIZE HIS ORGANIZATION'S FOREIGN RELATIONS ROLE REF: LIMA 4773 ¶1. Andean Community of Nations (CAN) Secretary General Allan Wagner hosted a colloquium entitled: "Andean Community External Relations: International Insertion with Social Inclusion" on 11/15, at which he presented his vision for CAN's foreign relations role. Wagner argued that the time and environment are right for a new agenda focused on three broad themes: democracy and social inclusion; commerce and productive development; and regional security and energy cooperation. ¶2. With respect to the U.S., Wagner proposed a new agenda focused on developing social cohesion/inclusion, combating transnational crime, and promoting energy cooperation. (Note: Though the message was generally the same, in a prior meeting between Ambassador Struble and Wagner (Reftel),Wagner organized the three major areas of dialogue with the U.S. as drugs, terrorism, and energy security. End Note.) The CAN SecGen also stressed the need for increased cooperation and progress on a free trade agreement with the EU, as well as enhanced relations with South Korea, Japan, China, and India. Throughout the presentation, he emphasized the need to promote social cohesion and inclusion while promoting commerce and productive development. ¶3. Much of the discussion following Wagner's speech dealt with panelists' and audience members' concern that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's policies and actions have created a "crisis" for the CAN. Former Minister of the Interior Gino Costa and others expressed skepticism about Wagner's optimistic presentation, noting that Venezuela's approach to economic and foreign policy issues conflicts with those of its CAN partners and makes coherent CAN engagement with the U.S. impossible. Another recurring comment from the participants was that despite making progress at the macroeconomic level, poverty and excluded populations remain serious problems, and, as a result, increased emphasis on social inclusion is needed. ¶4. COMMENT: Wagner clearly wants to enhance the CAN's role in the Andean region's relations with key countries, but his proposals are long on goals, short on details, and vague as to what value-added the CAN can bring to the table. He continues to be reluctant to address the problems that Chavez's Venezuela poses for the CAN as an institution, as well as for that organization's ability to serve as an interlocutor with the U.S. END COMMENT. ¶5. Post is faxing a copy of Wagner's presentation to WHA/AND. POWERS