Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SANSALVADOR2953
2006-12-15 15:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy San Salvador
Cable title:
EL SALVADOR: ASSEMBLY VOTES FOR ONE YEAR EXTENSION IN IRAQ
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 002953
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2016
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR MASS IZ ES
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR: ASSEMBLY VOTES FOR ONE YEAR EXTENSION IN IRAQ
REF: SAN SALVADOR 2394
Classified By: Polcouns C. Garcia. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 002953
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2016
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR MASS IZ ES
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR: ASSEMBLY VOTES FOR ONE YEAR EXTENSION IN IRAQ
REF: SAN SALVADOR 2394
Classified By: Polcouns C. Garcia. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).
1. (U) Late on December 14, El Salvador's Legislative
Assembly passed a resolution extending the authorization for
Salvadoran participation in the Multinational Forces-Iraq
through December 31, 2007. The measure passed with 49 votes
in favor (ARENA, National Conciliation (PCN),and Christian
Democrats (PDC)) and 34 votes against (FMLN, Democratic
Change (CD)). The Salvadoran forces are already preparing to
send their 8th contingent of the Cuscatalan Batallion in
February 2007.
2. (C) COMMENT: The continued presence of Salvadoran troops
in Iraq is a major domestic political sacrifice for the Saca
Administration, as polling published this week in leading
daily La Prensa Grafica shows steady popular opposition (81
percent against, 12 percent in favor) to Salvadoran troops in
Iraq. Nevertheless, Saca continues to take this political
risk to maintain what he sees as a close personal
relationship with President Bush and the U.S. Despite
unwavering support from President Saca and his ARENA party,
securing this vote required significant Embassy intervention
with the PCN. PCN legislator (and retired colonel) Jose
Antonio Almendariz, who has always supported the Iraq effort
and has even visited the Salvadoran troops, decided early in
the week to push for a six month extension vice a year and
tried to convince others in the PCN to support his position.
The Ambassador met with and succeeded in convincing the PCN
president and party leaders to secure the 10 vital PCN votes,
and Almendariz added his vote in the end as well.
Barclay
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2016
TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR MASS IZ ES
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR: ASSEMBLY VOTES FOR ONE YEAR EXTENSION IN IRAQ
REF: SAN SALVADOR 2394
Classified By: Polcouns C. Garcia. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).
1. (U) Late on December 14, El Salvador's Legislative
Assembly passed a resolution extending the authorization for
Salvadoran participation in the Multinational Forces-Iraq
through December 31, 2007. The measure passed with 49 votes
in favor (ARENA, National Conciliation (PCN),and Christian
Democrats (PDC)) and 34 votes against (FMLN, Democratic
Change (CD)). The Salvadoran forces are already preparing to
send their 8th contingent of the Cuscatalan Batallion in
February 2007.
2. (C) COMMENT: The continued presence of Salvadoran troops
in Iraq is a major domestic political sacrifice for the Saca
Administration, as polling published this week in leading
daily La Prensa Grafica shows steady popular opposition (81
percent against, 12 percent in favor) to Salvadoran troops in
Iraq. Nevertheless, Saca continues to take this political
risk to maintain what he sees as a close personal
relationship with President Bush and the U.S. Despite
unwavering support from President Saca and his ARENA party,
securing this vote required significant Embassy intervention
with the PCN. PCN legislator (and retired colonel) Jose
Antonio Almendariz, who has always supported the Iraq effort
and has even visited the Salvadoran troops, decided early in
the week to push for a six month extension vice a year and
tried to convince others in the PCN to support his position.
The Ambassador met with and succeeded in convincing the PCN
president and party leaders to secure the 10 vital PCN votes,
and Almendariz added his vote in the end as well.
Barclay