POLITICAL MILITARY BILATERAL DISCUSSIONS: DAY TWO

C O N F I D E N T I A L LIMA 002318 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2016 TAGS: PGOV PINR PHUM PREL PE SUBJECT: POLITICAL MILITARY BILATERAL DISCUSSIONS: DAY TWO REF: LIMA 0046 Classified By: A/POL David W. Boyle, for Reasons 1.4 (c,d) ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The second day of the first ever US-Peru political military talks focused on technical matters related to the possible resumption of US P-3 surveillance flights and on a Peruvian request to receive crew lists in advance of US Navy ship visits. Peru's representatives stressed their concern that P-3 flights, which would originate at an airstrip near Ecuador, could complicate relations with Quito. Both sides emphasized their willingness to find common ground on this and other issues, and the positive atmosphere established on the first day carried over into the second. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) The second day of the bilateral political military talks held on June 27 were led on the Peruvian side by Director General Dora Salazar, from the MOD's office of drug control, and Augusto Freyre and Alejandro Ugarte from the MOD's office of Security and Defense Affairs. Military experts from the Peruvian Army, Navy and Air Force also attended. The US delegation included Embassy officials and representatives from the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). ¶3. (C) The Peruvian delegation noted issues that need resolution in order to resume US P-3 counter-narcotics surveillance flights, which would originate at a Peruvian military installation in Piura, Peru. Key points raised were: -- Territorial Jurisdiction Salazar said Peru must give Ecuador advanced notice of flights crossing Ecuadorian waters. Piura's close proximity to Ecuador means flights departing Piura would reach the Ecuadorian border within minutes, and Peru, in her words, "does not want to leave Ecuador surprised by any actions." The Peruvian team also noted the need for public affairs management of the matter since the resumption of flights could lead some members of the Peruvian public to conclude that the US had swapped a base in Manta, Ecuador for a base in Piura. OSD representatives assured the GOP that US did not intend to complicate Peruvian international relations and that territorial jurisdiction is an issue that has been addressed -- and resolved -- in other agreements. OSD representatives also noted that the USG was working on a response to the 11 points raised by Peru in April regarding P-3 flights. -- Insurance Salzar asked if Peruvian personnel on P-3 flights could receive life insurance funded by the USG. Salazar said precedent exists for such coverage, and she said that that under Peruvian law, servicemen who board foreign aircraft are not eligible for GOP-funded life insurance coverage. The SOUTHCOM representatives said the US does not insure foreigners on its aircraft, but asked the Peruvians to research the cost of such coverage. In the meantime, the US would investigate how host rider policies are obtained in other nations. The US team suggested the issue could best be addressed in subsequent talks. -- Food and Lodging MOD officials asked if Peruvians participating in the flights would be eligible to receive food and lodging funded by the USG. SOUTHCOM representatives said the issue could be reviewed in another forum. ¶4. (C) Minister Freyre provided background to Peru's request to receive crew lists in advance of ship visits. He explained that Peruvian law requires that visits by foreign serviceman carrying arms be approved by the Peruvian Congress, a process that takes 45 days. The U.S. team said it would explore the possibility of making an annual submission of crew lists to meet Peruvian legal requirements. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: Both the U.S. and Peruvian teams recognized that details regarding possible P-3 flights and US Navy ship visits will require additional negotiations, and both sides expressed their willingness to find compromises on remaining points of contention. Post appreciates the participation of PM, OSD, and Southcom representatives in the talks and believes that progress was made in clarifying areas of mutual concern and in creating working partnerships with Peruvian counterparts. End Comment STRUBLE