Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SANTIAGO2278
2006-10-31 11:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:
CHILE'S PREPARATION FOR APEC SUMMIT
how-toVZCZCXRO5043 RR RUEHCHI RUEHFK RUEHHM RUEHKSO RUEHPB DE RUEHSG #2278 3041159 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 311159Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0284 INFO RUEHZU/ASIAN PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 1567 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 4787 RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 1616
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 002278
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/EP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2016
TAGS: ECON ETRD PREL CI
SUBJECT: CHILE'S PREPARATION FOR APEC SUMMIT
Classified By: DCM Emi Yamauchi for reasons 1.5 (b and d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 002278
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/EP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2016
TAGS: ECON ETRD PREL CI
SUBJECT: CHILE'S PREPARATION FOR APEC SUMMIT
Classified By: DCM Emi Yamauchi for reasons 1.5 (b and d).
1. (C) E/POL Counselor October 27 paid a courtesy call on
Ambassaador Fernando Schmidt, Director of the MFA's Office
for Asian Affairs, and discussed with him, inter alia,
Chile's preparations for the upcoming APEC summit in Hanoi.
Describing APEC as one of the preeminent fora in which world
leaders could gather in a relatively relaxed setting, Schmidt
said Chile was arranging an ambitious agenda for President
Bachelet and FonMin Foxley. Bilaterals with Australia, New
Zealand, and Thailand were almost set, others were in the
works. Told the Embassy had recommended a meeting between
the Secretary and Foxley, Schmidt said that "of course, we
will make time for such a meeting, if offered." (Note: Post
understands that an S-Foxley bilat has now been approved and
is awaiting a time slot to offer the Chileans. End note.)
2. (C) Schmidt said that Chile favored APEC expansion, but
suggested that the USG's position would be key to any
enlargement, especially if Colombia and Ecuador are to join
APEC. The Asians, Schmidt said, have never truly accepted
Latin Americans as integral members of the club so U.S.
support is vital. E/POL Counselor noted APEC members are
leaning toward continuing a moratorium on expansion but asked
if Schmidt thought either Bogota or Quito was ready to join.
Colombia was much better prepared, in Schmidt's view. On
India's candidacy, Chile would not support New Delhi. India
is not a Pacific nation and bringing it in would invariably
lead to candidacies by Pakistan and Bangledesh, causing APEC
to lose its Pacific identity and focus.
3. (C) Schmidt said Peru's APEC presidency in 2008 would be a
tremendous opportunity for Latin America to assert itself
within APEC. Chile would encourage Peru in that effort, as
well as lead by the power of its example and its ideas.
KELLY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/EP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2016
TAGS: ECON ETRD PREL CI
SUBJECT: CHILE'S PREPARATION FOR APEC SUMMIT
Classified By: DCM Emi Yamauchi for reasons 1.5 (b and d).
1. (C) E/POL Counselor October 27 paid a courtesy call on
Ambassaador Fernando Schmidt, Director of the MFA's Office
for Asian Affairs, and discussed with him, inter alia,
Chile's preparations for the upcoming APEC summit in Hanoi.
Describing APEC as one of the preeminent fora in which world
leaders could gather in a relatively relaxed setting, Schmidt
said Chile was arranging an ambitious agenda for President
Bachelet and FonMin Foxley. Bilaterals with Australia, New
Zealand, and Thailand were almost set, others were in the
works. Told the Embassy had recommended a meeting between
the Secretary and Foxley, Schmidt said that "of course, we
will make time for such a meeting, if offered." (Note: Post
understands that an S-Foxley bilat has now been approved and
is awaiting a time slot to offer the Chileans. End note.)
2. (C) Schmidt said that Chile favored APEC expansion, but
suggested that the USG's position would be key to any
enlargement, especially if Colombia and Ecuador are to join
APEC. The Asians, Schmidt said, have never truly accepted
Latin Americans as integral members of the club so U.S.
support is vital. E/POL Counselor noted APEC members are
leaning toward continuing a moratorium on expansion but asked
if Schmidt thought either Bogota or Quito was ready to join.
Colombia was much better prepared, in Schmidt's view. On
India's candidacy, Chile would not support New Delhi. India
is not a Pacific nation and bringing it in would invariably
lead to candidacies by Pakistan and Bangledesh, causing APEC
to lose its Pacific identity and focus.
3. (C) Schmidt said Peru's APEC presidency in 2008 would be a
tremendous opportunity for Latin America to assert itself
within APEC. Chile would encourage Peru in that effort, as
well as lead by the power of its example and its ideas.
KELLY