C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 000861

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/AND, WHA/BSC, WHA/OAS, IO/UNP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2016
TAGS: PREL UNSC CI VZ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR AND CHILEAN SENATORS EXCHANGE VIEWS ON
U.S-CHILE RELATIONS, VENEZUELA

Classified By: Ambassador Craig A. Kelly. Reasons: 1.4 (b and d).


1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador exchanged views on Venezuela,
Article 98 and ICC ratification with Chilean senators on
April 19. The senators lauded recent Codel visits to Chile
and pressed for regular meetings between U.S. and Chilean
legislatures. Socialist Party Senator Gazmuri expressed
concern that the U.S. was focusing its Latin America policy
too narrowly on Venezuela. Christian Democrat Party Senator
Pizarro said the U.S. suffered from a perception in the
region that it was "ignoring Latin America." The Ambassador
outlined USG concerns on Venezuela and denied the U.S. was
pressuring Chile not to ratify the ICC. He also noted
Chile's inadequate protection of intellectual property rights
remained the dark cloud hanging over the otherwise successful
U.S.-Chile FTA. End summary.


2. (U) Senator Roberto Munoz Barra (Party for Democracy),
President of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, hosted
the Ambassador and Poloff for a working lunch at the National
Congress in Valparaiso on April 19. Senators Sergio Romero
(National Renewal), Hernan Larrain (Independent Democratic
Union), Juan Coloma (Independent Democratic Union), Jorge
Pizarro (Christian Democrat), and Jaime Gazmuri (Socialist)
also attended. (Note: All but Larrain are members of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee - SFRC). MFA Liaison to
Congress (Ambassador) Fontecilla and SFRC Chief of Staff
Julio Camara also attended.

Senate-Senate Exchange
--------------


3. (U) After delivering his welcoming remarks, Senator Munoz
noted the importance the Chilean Senate attached to the
recent visits to Chile by CODEL Coleman (August 2005) and
Codel McConnell (January 2006). These visits offered U.S.
and Chilean legislators opportunities to exchange views on
regional issues and the U.S.-Chile bilateral relationship,
including the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement. Senator
Romero expressed appreciation for Senator Coleman's response
to his (Romero's) letter of last year proposing the
establishment of a formal Senate-Senate parliamentar

y
dialogue. Romero said he understood why the U.S. Congress
could not make such a commitment, and reiterated his
appreciation for Senator Coleman's willingness to try to meet
on a regular basis. (Note: SFRC Chief of Staff Camara and
Senator Coleman's staff are discussing directly possible
dates and agenda items for a meeting later this year. End
note.)

Venezuela
--------------


4. (C) The Ambassador noted USG concerns over President
Chavez' actions to dismantle democracy in Venezuela and his
behavior in international fora, and asked the senators for
their views. Senator Gazmuri said that while he was "no fan
of Chavez," he was worried the U.S. "was making the same
mistake it made with Cuba and Fidel Castro more than 30 years
ago: by focusing regional policy on one man, you are
elevating his status in the region." Senator Larrain
suggested that regular meetings between the U.S. and Chilean
Senates could offer "those of us in Chile who share your
concerns and who do not have a voice within the executive
branch (the center-right opposition) to discuss important
matters such as Venezuela."


5. (C) The Ambassador outlined USG concerns about Venezuela's
UNSC candidacy, citing the GOV's opposition to referring Iran
to the UNSC as one example of Chavez' irresponsible behavior.
Senator Gazmuri acknowledged that Venezuela's presence on
the UNSC could pose "problems." Several of the other
Senators nodded in agreement.

U.S. Leadership in the Region
--------------


6. (C) Senator Pizarro, who attends several meetings of Latin
American parliamentary associations, said there is perception
in the region that the U.S. "lacks leadership" in confronting
the region's problems. Pizarro claimed that this perception
makes it difficult for small countries like Chile, who
considered themselves allies of the U.S. and who are
interested in partnering in promoting certain shared goals,

to step forward. Pizarro said he had recently read that
Venezuela provided more development assistance in Latin
America than the U.S. While he was uncertain whether the
information was accurate, Pizarro said such statements
"complicated" USG efforts in the region. Ambassador noted
that while the "perception" of U.S. neglect exists, reality
is a different thing altogether, and he outlined several
examples of heavy U.S. engagement.

Article 98/ASPA
--------------


7. (C) Senator Coloma asked about recent Chilean press
reports of a "debate" in the U.S. Congress over American
Servicemembers' Protection Act (ASPA) legislation. The
Ambassador outlined our reasons for wishing to conclude
Article 98 agreements and summarized the ASPA provisions. He
reviewed the IMET and FMF funding Chile stood to lose if it
ratified the ICC and the ASPA provisions went into effect.
Noting recent erroneous reports in the Chilean press, the
Ambassador denied the U.S. was pressuring Chile not to ratify
the ICC. He also stressed that Washington wished to avoid
cutting off military assistance to Chile. Senator Larrain
acknowledged that while the dollar amounts did not appear
significant and in principle could be replaced using national
funds, the symbolism of a cut-off would be damaging to the
bilateral relationship.

IPR
---


8. (U) The Ambassador closed by noting that the one dark
cloud hanging over the otherwise successful U.S.-Chile FTA
was Chile's weak protection and enforcement of intellectual
property rights.
KELLY