Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BOGOTA7645
2006-08-22 21:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:  

SECRETARIES PAULSON, GUTIERREZ MEET WITH PRESIDENT

Tags:  ETRD PGOV CO XR CU 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 007645 

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STATE PASS TO USTR, USDA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2016
TAGS: ETRD PGOV CO XR CU
SUBJECT: SECRETARIES PAULSON, GUTIERREZ MEET WITH PRESIDENT
URIBE

REF: LIMA 03103

Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 007645

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STATE PASS TO USTR, USDA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2016
TAGS: ETRD PGOV CO XR CU
SUBJECT: SECRETARIES PAULSON, GUTIERREZ MEET WITH PRESIDENT
URIBE

REF: LIMA 03103

Classified By: Ambassador William B. Wood for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY. President Uribe proposed that U.S. and
Colombian trade associations meet as soon as possible to
resolve a Colombian limit on imports of U.S. beef due to
concerns about Mad Cow Disease. The Colombians urged the
U.S. to seek approval of the FTA by Congress before ATPDEA
provisions expire in December. Uribe supported cautious,
constructive change in Cuba, and said Colombia wanted to work
with the U.S. on a transition. The Colombians encouraged
engagement by the U.S. in Nicaragua, Ecuador and Bolivia to
further common policy objectives in the region. They also
requested U.S. support to achieve an investment grade credit
rating for Colombia and for additional help on counter
narcotics efforts. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson, Secretary of
Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, Ambassador William Wood, Assistant
Secretary of State for Latin America Thomas Shannon, and DOC

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DAS Walter Bastian met with President Alvaro Uribe on August
7, immediately following his inauguration ceremony.
President Uribe was joined in the meeting by Min. of
Agriculture and Rural Development Andres Arias; Min. of
Commerce, Industry and Tourism Jorge Botero; Min. of Finance
Alberto Carrasquilla; Foreign Minister Maria Araujo; and
Ambassador-designate to the U.S. Carolina Barco. Uribe
opened the meeting thanking President Bush and the U.S.
delegation, stating &the long term support of the U.S.
Government to Colombia has helped us convert our hopes into
reality.8

A BEEF OVER IMPORTS OF U.S. BEEF


3. (C) Secretary Gutierrez expressed the U.S. desire to move
forward with the FTA notification to Congress. He noted,
however, that he would not be able to recommend the agreement
until there was a resolution to a Colombian ban on imports of
U.S. beef from animals older than 30 months, imposed due to
Colombian concerns over BSE, or Mad Cow Disease. Min. of
Agriculture Arias stated Colombia,s ban on imports was due
to scientific concerns over the risk to human health, and the

threat to Colombia,s status as a BSE-free country. He
emphasized the GOC,s responsibility to protect the health of
its citizens and the health of its domestic industry. He
said the U.S. imposed a similar limit on Canadian beef of
more than 30 months following an incident of BSE in Canada,
stating &it is politically unfeasible for us to back down
from a trade policy which the U.S. applies to its own trade
partners.8 Arias justified the GOC ban stating that the
side letter signed on February 6 on beef imports allowed
special consideration where human health was concerned.


4. (C) Secretary Gutierrez responded that the issue with
Canada was separate. He emphasized that the U.S. had found
no scientific basis to limit domestic consumption of beef
from animals older than 30 months for its own citizens, and
that the U.S. was not holding Colombia to a standard that we
did not accept in our own country. He noted, &We eat beef
from animals over 30 months.8 Uribe explained, &We cannot
contradict a scientific assessment,8 but he emphasized his
willingness to solve the issue. He proposed that the two
countries, industry associations meet immediately, and
submit the question of potential health risk in beef from
animals older than 30 months to a neutral, third party for an
independent scientific assessment.

COMMITMENT TO FTA APPROVAL


5. (C) Uribe expressed the GOC,s desire to move ahead with
notification of the FTA to Congress, while the two countries
worked to resolve the stalemate over beef. With ATPDEA trade
preferences set to expire in December, he explained, Colombia
was eager to see notification take place as soon as possible
to enable a vote for approval during a lame duck session of
Congress. If Congress were not notified until they returned
from recess in September, the Colombians feared ATPDEA might
expire before approval. Gutierrez and Paulson reminded the
Colombians of the general opposition to trade agreements in
Congress, citing CAFTA,s passage by only two votes.

Secretary Gutierrez stated his responsibility was to see the

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FTA presented to Congress in the best possible environment
for approval, but if he notified Congress without industry
agreement on the beef issue, opposition members could make
the FTA a political issue in the fall election, risking its
defeat.


6. (C) Secretary Paulson assured the Colombians that the FTA
was an important agreement for both countries, and that
regardless of the timing of approval, &we will get it
done.8 He affirmed that each side had political risks, and
would need to manage its own political process. Uribe
reiterated his proposal to have the industry associations
meet as soon as possible, committing Ministers Arias and
Botero to the negotiations if need be. The U.S. delegation
accepted this proposal.

COLOMBIANS URGE CAUTIOUS, CONSTRUCTIVE TRANSITION IN CUBA


7. (C) Secretary Paulson noted that with Fidel Castro,s
health problem, Colombian support for constructive change
could be very useful at this time. President Uribe
reiterated his position from the July 27 meeting with
Secretary Gutierrez in Lima (See Reftel). &I should be the

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worst enemy of the Cuban regime, due to our fight against
terrorism here in Colombia. But I have built a constructive
relationship with Cuba.8 He noted Castro,s withdrawal of
support for guerilla groups operating in Colombia, and his
role in facilitating the peace talks with the ELN.
Furthermore, he stated the only way to have a constructive
relationship with Venezuela was through Cuba, noting that
President Chavez only listens to Castro. He reiterated that
although Colombia had a long history of involvement in the
Non-Aligned Movement, they would not attend the next NAM
meeting in Havana. He cautioned &In the case of Cuba we
must be careful. We cannot push the society in a destructive
manner.8 He asked the U.S. to consider how the Colombians
might support positive transition in Cuba.

COLOMBIAN PERSPECTIVE ON U.S. RELATIONS IN REGION


8. (C) President Uribe expressed concern over regional
elections in Nicaragua and Ecuador. He noted that Chavez was
sending money to the Sandanistas, and that the margin between
Montealegre and Ortega was very slim. He encouraged the U.S.
to counter the Chavez effort by encouraging greater support
from the private sector. He said the U.S. appeared to have
burned some bridges in its relationship with Ecuador, but
that they could be rebuilt. He defended Ecuadorian President
Palacios who he described as &a supporter of democracy and
stability in his country who has maintained an anti-Chavez
stance.8 He encouraged the U.S. to engage the Ecuadorians
to positively impact the upcoming elections there. The
Colombians expressed concern about the impact of the
expiration of ATPDEA trade preferences on Bolivia.
Ambassador-designate Barco noted that social turmoil in
Bolivia could cascade to Peru and Ecuador, where links among
the indigenous communities are strong. President Uribe
stated, &I have told President Morales that he cannot insult
the U.S. Government and expect an extension of trade
preferences, and that he will not lose his credentials as a
Bolivarian Revolutionary by being a friend of the U.S.8


9. (C) President Uribe noted his administration,s efforts to
reform the financial sector, promote tax reform, and revise
regional revenue transfers, but requested the support of
Secretary Paulson to achieve an investment grade credit

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rating for Colombia. Secretary Paulson affirmed his full
support for this. Uribe also emphasized his credentials in
the fight on drugs, noting his decision to extend spraying to
La Macarena National Park following the killing of manual
eradication workers there, and his record of support for
extradition. He expressed concern that in spite of his
efforts, recent reports showed drug production in Colombia
may actually have increased. He reiterated a Colombian
request to President Bush for 24 more helicopters, not only
to support the eradication effort, but to go after the
ringleaders of narco-trafficking. He noted, &the U.S. has
spent many resources in Iraq and Afghanistan. Here in
Colombia we have demonstrated the political will to address
our common issues. Can you bring resources from Iraq to help

us find the ringleaders here in Colombia?8 The U.S.
delegation affirmed that the request for additional
helicopters was heard.


10. (C) Note, Treasury Secretary Paulson was unable to clear
this cable before leaving country.
WOOD