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