Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SANTIAGO166
2006-01-25 14:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:  

INTERIM RESPONSE TO PROPOSAL FOR SOFA PROTECTIONS;

Tags:  MARR PREL MOPS PGOV CI 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHSG #0166 0251448
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 251448Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8306
INFO RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 000166 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2016
TAGS: MARR PREL MOPS PGOV CI
SUBJECT: INTERIM RESPONSE TO PROPOSAL FOR SOFA PROTECTIONS;
GOC TO PRESENT BILL ALLOWING EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO CONCLUDE
LONG-TERM SOFAS

REF: A. 05 STATE 225438

B. 05 SANTIAGO 02523

C. SANTIAGO 00091

D. 05 STATE 21154

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Emi L. Yamauchi. Reasons: 1.4 (
b and d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 000166

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2016
TAGS: MARR PREL MOPS PGOV CI
SUBJECT: INTERIM RESPONSE TO PROPOSAL FOR SOFA PROTECTIONS;
GOC TO PRESENT BILL ALLOWING EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO CONCLUDE
LONG-TERM SOFAS

REF: A. 05 STATE 225438

B. 05 SANTIAGO 02523

C. SANTIAGO 00091

D. 05 STATE 21154

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Emi L. Yamauchi. Reasons: 1.4 (
b and d).


1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 4.


2. (C) Foreign Ministry Special Policies Director Luis Winter
telephoned poloff January 25 to advise that the MFA was
prepared to send the Embassy a diplomatic note accepting the
U.S. proposal regarding protections for U.S. personnel
involved in military exercises, but for the period January -
June 2006 (Ref A),rather than the entire calendar year.


3. (C) Winter noted the GOC's efforts to introduce a law in
Congress that would grant the Chilean executive branch the
right to conclude long-term SOFA-like agreements with other
countries (Ref C). Winter said the GOC would attempt to
secure congressional approval of the law before June 2006.
If successful, the GOC would then conclude a SOFA-like
agreement with the U.S. to cover the remaining exercises. If
not, the MFA would send the Embassy a second diplomatic note
extending the arrangements to cover any exercises during the
June - December 2006 time-period. Winter asked poloff if
such a proposal would be acceptable to Washington. Poloff
said the Embassy would immediately convey Winter's proposal
to Washington and request guidance.


4. (C) Action request: Given the short time remaining (the
first exercises are to begin in March),Post believes the
U.S. should accept the Foreign Ministry's proposal, assuming
the contents of the Foreign Ministry's diplomatic note are
consistent with the U.S. proposal conveyed in December 2005
(Ref A). Post requests urgent guidance to respond to the
Foreign Ministry's proposal.
KELLY