Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LIMA3486
2006-09-01 21:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Lima
Cable title:  

TRADE MINISTER EXPLAINS PERU'S DECISION TO REJOIN G-20

Tags:  ETRD WTRO OTRA PE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3715
RR RUEHAG RUEHAP RUEHDE RUEHDF RUEHGI RUEHHM RUEHLZ RUEHMA RUEHMR
RUEHPA RUEHPB RUEHRN
DE RUEHPE #3486 2442128
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 012128Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY LIMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2132
INFO RUCNWTO/WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION COLLECTIVE
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS LIMA 003486 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/AND, WHA/EPSC, EB/TPP
COMMERCE FOR 4331/MAC/WH/MCAMERON
USTR FOR BHARMAN, MCARRILLO, AND DDWOSKIN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD WTRO OTRA PE
SUBJECT: TRADE MINISTER EXPLAINS PERU'S DECISION TO REJOIN G-20

Sensitive But Unclassified, please handle accordingly.

UNCLAS LIMA 003486

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/AND, WHA/EPSC, EB/TPP
COMMERCE FOR 4331/MAC/WH/MCAMERON
USTR FOR BHARMAN, MCARRILLO, AND DDWOSKIN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD WTRO OTRA PE
SUBJECT: TRADE MINISTER EXPLAINS PERU'S DECISION TO REJOIN G-20

Sensitive But Unclassified, please handle accordingly.


1. (SBU) While in Brazil on August 25, Foreign Minister Jose Antonio
Garcia Belaunde announced that Peru would rejoin the G-20.
Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim proudly noted that Ecuador
and Peru would attend the G-20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro from
September 9-10, raising G-20 membership to 23 countries. On
September 1, Peruvian Trade Minister Mercedes Araoz explained to the
Ambassador and a USTR delegation that the decision to rejoin the
G-20 was politically driven by the now-ruling APRA party's previous
criticism of Peru's departure from the group in 2003. Furthermore,
she said, the Garcia Administration has prioritized improving ties
with Chile, Mexico and Brazil, all of which are G-20 members. The
Garcia Administration expanded its Economic Complementation
Agreement with Chile on August 22, has begun free trade agreement
talks with Mexico, and seeks to improve relations with Brazil,
Peru's biggest neighbor and link to the Atlantic Ocean.


2. (SBU) Araoz stressed that the GOP was completely committed to
free trade, and would continue to back U.S. positions at the WTO,
including support for liberalizing agricultural markets. She said
the GOP also wanted to participate in the Cairns group. Araoz said
her ministry had the lead on G-20 issues, and that Peru would be a
moderate and constructive member, like Chile. Araoz had recommended
that President Garcia not attend the September meeting in Rio, and
said Peru would likely be represented only by a mid-level trade
ministry observer (Minister Araoz and Vice Minister Luis Alonso
Garcia will both be in Washington, DC at that time). Araoz said she
wanted to keep the G-20 membership issue out of the press, and avoid
misinterpretations in Washington that could negatively impact
passage of the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA) by the
U.S. Congress.

STRUBLE