PROPOSED TEXT OF DRAFT LETTER TO PERUVIAN MOD

UNCLAS LIMA 003689 SIPDIS SIPDIS ISN FOR JOAN CORBETT L/PM FOR THERESA K. MITCHELL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PBOV KICC PHUM PREL KTIA MARR MOPS PINR PE SUBJECT: PROPOSED TEXT OF DRAFT LETTER TO PERUVIAN MOD REGARDING EDA/ARTICLE 98 ¶1. This message contains an action request in para 2. ¶2. The Ambassador received on August 22 a letter from Minister of Defense Allan Wagner Tizon requesting a waiver of restrictions placed on Peru under the American Servicemen,s Protection Act (ASPA) so that the country can participate in the United States Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program. In our view, Peru would be an excellent candidate for EDA once it has satisfied all ASPA and Article 98 requirements. Post requests the Department's approval of the following proposed reply to the Minister outlining our interest in finding a solution to the question of proper protection for American Servicemen and citizens. ¶3. Text of Letter: Dear Minister Allan Wagner Tizon, Thank you for your letter of August 22 asking that this Embassy request a waiver for Peru from the requirements of the American Servicemen,s Protection Act (ASPA) so that Peru can obtain needed military equipment under the auspices of the United States Excess Defense Articles (EDA) Program. As you note in your letter, Peru is an important partner of the United States in our shared efforts to combat illegal narcotics and terrorism and to promote democracy and development. We appreciate this cooperation and are eager to expand it. I must inform you, however, that I am not aware of any country that has received a waiver of ASPA/Article 98 requirements, nor is this Embassy prepared to make such a request. I suggest instead that all of us ) our Embassy team, your advisors at the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ) redouble our efforts to find a mutually acceptable formula through which Peru can satisfy the requirements of the American Servicemen's Protection Act/Article 98. Once we have achieved that objective, I will be happy to endorse enthusiastically Peru's participation in the United States EDA Program. Yours Sincerely, James Curtis Struble Ambassador STRUBLE