AMLO READY TO MAKE FOREIGN POLICY STATEMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MEXICO 001461

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2016
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, MX
SUBJECT: AMLO READY TO MAKE FOREIGN POLICY STATEMENT

Classified By: POLCOUNS LESLIE BASSETT FOR REASONS 1.4 B,D


1. (C) Summary: Jose Maria Perez Gay told poloffs 3/17
that Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) candidate Andres
Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) would lay out his initial foreign
policy approach on March 21 in Ciudad Juarez. Perez Gay, who
is writing the speech, said AMLO would base his foreign
policy on a strict interpretation of Mexico's constitution,
implying a return to Mexico's non-interventionist positions
prior to current President Fox. AMLO would also discuss a
"New Deal" for Mexico to generate opportunities and thus
blunt the migration trend. Perez Gay cautioned that AMLO
does not have any designated emissaries in the U.S., and
regretted that U.S. government agencies were being told
otherwise. End Summary.

AMLO's Foreign Policy

2. (C) Perez Gay said AMLO deliberately chose a border
location for his foreign policy address, which will be
delivered on the 200th anniversary of Benito Juarez' death.
According to Perez Gay, Ciudad Juarez played an important
role in the early stages of Mexico's diplomatic history,
another reason for choosing the venue. AMLO's team hoped to
gather 12,000 people for the event, including many mothers of
the female murder victims killed within the city. Perez Gay
said AMLO's foreign policy would be rooted in a faithful
interpretation of the Mexican constitution, based on respect
for other nations, non-integration and non-intervention in
the internal affairs of other countries. AMLO would make no
mention of either Cuba or Venezuela. The United States would
be treated as a special case, he continued. AMLO wanted to
stress his regret that so many Mexicans saw their future in
the U.S. rather than in Mexico, Perez Gay stated, and would
eventually announce a kind of "New Deal" to generate
employment and opportunities for Mexicans in Mexico. It is
not a source of pride for us that $20 billion arrives
annually from the U.S. in remittances, Perez Gay elaborated.
Those earnings should be generated here, not in the U.S.
AMLO would not touch too much on narcotrafficking or security
issues specifically, Perez Gay concluded, but would stress
the value and importance of the border area to the region's
economic, social and political future.

3. (C) Perez Gay continued that he (as presumptive Foreign
Secretary if AMLO is elected) was very interested in

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expanding his knowledge of the border, and in hearing the
U.S. "top four" operational ideas for making the border more
secure, and for controlling migration. He would like, before
the elections, to have a briefing on current border
procedures and challenges. If the PRD candidate wins, he
continued, they would like to arrange for AMLO to tour the
border shortly after the election to see first-hand the
successes and challenges ahead. In the interim, Perez Gay's
assistant will seek a tour of the CJ-El Paso border.

4. (C) Perez Gay said he and AMLO were both interested in
dealing more aggressively with the problem of trafficking in
persons (TIP). Poloffs described some of the joint
initiatives underway and legislation pending in the Chamber
of Deputies. They also provided the 2005 TIP report and
related materials.

No Emissaries

5. (C) Poloffs inquired about the alleged network of
U.S.-based AMLO supporters reportedly authorized to seek
appointments and speak on AMLO's behalf. Perez Gay said
there were no/no "AMLO emissaries" in the U.S. and
self-described envoys like Jorge De los Santos did not have
the candidate's authorization to speak for him. Perez Gay's
objections seemed based more on the concern that it would
look presumptuous to be seeking meetings before victory was
secured. Poloffs pointed out that the presumed "AMLO
emissaries" were pushing on open doors. There was a great
deal of interest in hearing more about AMLO and his positions
-- it would make sense for someone to start reaching out.
(Note: At a recent university conference where the foreign
policy advisors for the three candidates were expected, the
PRD was again a no show).

Small Shop, Big Job

6. (C) Comment: Perez Gay has added an assistant to his
one-man operation, but continues to operate out of his house,
where he has received a number of visitors from the U.S. and
other countries. Poloffs agreed to continue to provide
unclassified background materials to Perez Gay on bilateral

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assistance programs and other issues. At Perez Gay's request
we will also offer briefings on USAID programs, especially
judicial reform, and border issues. With AMLO polling 10
points ahead of everyone else, it can do no harm to try and

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bring his team up to speed on our bilateral programs.

7. (C) Bio note: Perez Gay expressed his concern that it
was presumptuous for AMLO backers to meet with USG officials
in the U.S. before victory was secured, a reflection of his
concern that the campaign be correct in its (extremely
limited) dealings with foreigners. Perez Gay also suggested
for the first time that he would not be Foreign Secretary
under AMLO, speculating that for political reasons his friend
AMLO might need to offer the job to someone else. However,
throughout most of the conversation Perez Gay talked as
though he fully expected to be Foreign Secretary if AMLO
wins. Perez Gay seems to have a hip condition that clearly
impedes his ability to walk, and appears to have gotten worse
over recent weeks. It may be that health concerns are part
of the consideration about whether or not he will be part of
an AMLO cabinet. It's clear that for now, however, he is
both foreign policy advisor and close personal friend. End
comment


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