CHILE: FM WALKER DISCUSSES HAITI, ARTICLE 98 AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 000081 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2016 TAGS: PREL PHUM UN AR BR VE BL CI SUBJECT: CHILE: FM WALKER DISCUSSES HAITI, ARTICLE 98 AND REGIONAL CONCERNS WITH AMBASSADOR REF: A. SANTIAGO 0077 ¶B. SANTIAGO 00065 ¶C. 05 SANTIAGO 02573 Classified By: Ambassador Craig Kelly for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Chilean Foreign Minister Ignacio Walker reiterated the GOC's concerns about threats against MINUSTAH in Haiti during his January 11 meeting with the Ambassador. He asked the U.S. to deny visas to the Haitians who were behind those threats. Walker also provided the Ambassador a matchbook tour of Chile's regional concerns and expressed hope that "with creativity, imagination and good will," the U.S. and Chile could avoid a run-in over Chile's impending accession to the International Criminal Court. End Summary. Haiti -------------- ¶2. (C) Prior to an exchange of views on United Nations reform (ref A),Foreign Minister Walker said the January 9 Haiti Core Group teleconference was a positive experience, and marveled at how quickly Core Group members reached agreement with the six principals on-line. Walker did not see any remaining technical obstacles to Haiti's elections going forward February 7. Walker said MINUSTAH had generally done a good job at filling in the deficiencies of Haiti's electoral commission. He mentioned some glitches, noting that MINUSTAH had in some cases failed to assess polling stations for adequate capacity before certifying them. Walker noted that Chile currently had a limited number of election observers on the ground in Haiti. ¶3. (C) Reiterating a point made earlier by MFA DG for External Relations Carlos Portales (ref A),Walker said SRSYG Juan Valdez was "concerned" by calls by some influential Haitians to postpone elections, and threats against MINUSTAH and himself. Walker said a small group of Haitian businessmen with strong ties to the U.S. were behind these moves. He said the U.S. should threaten to withdraw their visas if they continued undermining the democratic process in Haiti. Continental Drift -------------- ¶4. (C) Walker expressed concern about regional developments, noting that Evo Morales would be sworn into office on January ¶22. Walker said he hoped that Bolivia's need for investment and Morales' recent trip to Europe would help move him toward the center. The Ambassador noted the U.S. stands ready to work with Morales, but it would be important to limit his rhetorical excesses. Walker lamented that Brazilian President Lula's internal difficulties with corruption scandals are limiting his influence in the region, allowing Hugo Chavez to strengthen his hand. Walker also noted that Chavez and Kirchner had effectively acted as allies at the Summit of the Americas in Mar del Plata, blocking progress on the FTAA, although it was not clear that was more than an alliance of convenience. "Kirchner may end up being the region's super-moderate," he observed. ¶5. (C) Walker said Chile was also concerned with developments in Peru. Chile's overtures to Peru for greater commercial integration had not been successful. "While there are reasonable people in Peru, they don't pull together, which undermines the country's stability," he said. International Criminal Court and Article 98 -------------- ¶6. (C) Walker noted he had been briefed on the Ambassador's January 10 meeting with MFA Director General Carlos Portales, where they had exchanged views on concluding an Article 98 agreement. He said every day he was more convinced of the importance of finding a solution to the ICC/Article 98 issue, more so because of regional instability. Walker reiterated there was an aversion in Chile to the concept of signing an Article 98 agreement. Politically, it was nearly impossible to discuss the concept. However, he expressed optimism that the U.S. and Chile could find a way to resolve the issue before the end of the Lagos administration's term in March (ref C). Walker observed a planned video teleconference between U.S. and Chilean officials on January 18 would be an important step. He noted the GOC would come to the meeting with specific ideas for moving forward. (Post Note: The Embassy will be the site for this DVC meeting. End Note.) Lame Duck -------------- ¶7. (C) Walker noted that he would be traveling to Asia for ten days starting from January 15. When he returned, he would have less than a month and a half left in office. KELLY