AMBASSADOR AND CHILEAN SENATORS EXCHANGE VIEWS ON

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 parliamentary 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