CHAVEZ SOCIAL CHARTER EVENT (EL SALVADOR)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 002425

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2015
TAGS: PREL KSUM SOCI ES
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ SOCIAL CHARTER EVENT (EL SALVADOR)

REF: STATE 154693

Classified By: DCM Michael. A Butler. Reasons:1.4 (b,d).

(C) On August 29, Polcouns raised reftel talking points with
GOES Vice-FoMin Eduardo Calix and Multilateral Organizations
deskoff Felix Ulloa. Calix stated that he was aware of the
sinister political motivations behind Chavez's Charter, and
referred the issue to Mario Rivera, MFA Director of Foreign
Policy (Politica Exterior). During a conversation with
Polcouns on August 30, Rivera stated that the GOES is fully
aware of Chavez's political motivations in regard to the
Social Charter, that the GOES sent a low key, technical level
MFA official to the Caracas meeting, and that official was
instructed "to be in a listening mode only." Rivera added
that the GOES intends to keep a low profile on this issue,
while being careful not to ruffle GOV feathers unnecessarily.
Comment: Since Vice-FoMin Calix was out of the country last
week attending the Rio Group meeting and the Politica
Exterior position was vacant until August 29, Embassy was
unable to deliver the demarche at the appropriate level until
August 29. We expect that the GOES will support our views on
this issue, but will tread carefully so as not to create
controversy with Chavez.
Barclay