AMBASSADOR REITERATES USG REQUEST FOR CHILE TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 002574 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2015 TAGS: PREL SMIG CU CI SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR REITERATES USG REQUEST FOR CHILE TO ACCEPT GTMO MIGRANTS REF: A. SANTIAGO 01875 ¶B. STATE 86436 ¶C. STATE 113426 ¶D. MURPHY-GEHRING 6/21 E-MAIL AND PREVIOUS Classified By: A/DCM Sean Murphy. Reasons: 1.4 (b and d). ¶1. (C) The Ambassador reiterated the USG request (refs b-c) to resettle in Chile protected migrants from the Guantanamo Naval Base during a December 23meeting with Foreign Minister Walker. The Ambassador noted the Embassy had conveyed the requests to the Foreign Ministry in May (ref d) and again in September (ref A). In response to Walker's question, the Ambassador assured him the U.S. sought permanent resettlement of these migrants outside of the U.S. ¶2. (C) After conferring with MFA Director General for External Relations Carlos Portales (who was present at the meeting, and to whom the Ambassador had delivered a similar demarche last September -- ref A),Walker directed Portales to work with MFA Director for Consular Affairs Ambassador Ricardo Concha to review the request. ¶3. (U) Post intends to follow up with Ambassador Concha on this matter. KELLY