Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SANTIAGO945
2006-05-05 20:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:
PRESIDENT BACHELET REQUESTS SENATE AUTHORIZATION
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSG #0945 1252037 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 052037Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9055 INFO RUEHDG/HAITI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0167 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 000945
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR, WHA/BSC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS UN CI HA
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT BACHELET REQUESTS SENATE AUTHORIZATION
TO EXTEND CHILEAN TROOPS IN HAITI FOR SIX MONTHS
REF: A. SANTIAGO 00919
B. SANTIAGO 00736
C. SANTIAGO 00639
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Emi L. Yamauchi. Reasons: 1.4 (
b and d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 000945
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR, WHA/BSC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS UN CI HA
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT BACHELET REQUESTS SENATE AUTHORIZATION
TO EXTEND CHILEAN TROOPS IN HAITI FOR SIX MONTHS
REF: A. SANTIAGO 00919
B. SANTIAGO 00736
C. SANTIAGO 00639
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Emi L. Yamauchi. Reasons: 1.4 (
b and d).
1. (U) Chilean leading daily "El Mercurio" reported on May 5
that President Bachelet formally had requested the Chilean
Senate extend Chilean peacekeeping troops in Haiti for an
additional six months beyond June 30. According to the
press, the Senate Foreign Relations and Defense Committees
are expected to consider the request during the week of May
8-12.
2. (C) Senate Foreign Relations Committee professional staff
member Julio Camara confirmed to poloff on May 5 that the
Senate had received the GOC's request. Camara indicated that
the Senate committees might not take up the request until the
week of May 15-19, after the GOC delegation (which includes
several senators) returns from the Haitian presidential
inauguration (reftel A).
3. (C) Comment: Senior GOC officials, including Defense
Minister Blanlot, have predicted privately to us that the
Senate likely will authorize an extension beyond June 30
(reftel B). Only a simple majority is needed, and Bachelet's
center-left Concertacion holds 20 of the Senate's 38 seats.
That said, the center-right opposition can be expected to
resurrect past concerns regarding "an open-ended commitment"
to Haiti, and press the GOC to agree to limit future Chilean
contributions to non-military areas (reftel C).
KELLY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR, WHA/BSC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS UN CI HA
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT BACHELET REQUESTS SENATE AUTHORIZATION
TO EXTEND CHILEAN TROOPS IN HAITI FOR SIX MONTHS
REF: A. SANTIAGO 00919
B. SANTIAGO 00736
C. SANTIAGO 00639
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Emi L. Yamauchi. Reasons: 1.4 (
b and d).
1. (U) Chilean leading daily "El Mercurio" reported on May 5
that President Bachelet formally had requested the Chilean
Senate extend Chilean peacekeeping troops in Haiti for an
additional six months beyond June 30. According to the
press, the Senate Foreign Relations and Defense Committees
are expected to consider the request during the week of May
8-12.
2. (C) Senate Foreign Relations Committee professional staff
member Julio Camara confirmed to poloff on May 5 that the
Senate had received the GOC's request. Camara indicated that
the Senate committees might not take up the request until the
week of May 15-19, after the GOC delegation (which includes
several senators) returns from the Haitian presidential
inauguration (reftel A).
3. (C) Comment: Senior GOC officials, including Defense
Minister Blanlot, have predicted privately to us that the
Senate likely will authorize an extension beyond June 30
(reftel B). Only a simple majority is needed, and Bachelet's
center-left Concertacion holds 20 of the Senate's 38 seats.
That said, the center-right opposition can be expected to
resurrect past concerns regarding "an open-ended commitment"
to Haiti, and press the GOC to agree to limit future Chilean
contributions to non-military areas (reftel C).
KELLY