COLOMBIA REVIEWS INTER-AMERICAN TROPICAL TUNA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 003005 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2018 TAGS: EFIS PHSA SENV CO SUBJECT: COLOMBIA REVIEWS INTER-AMERICAN TROPICAL TUNA COMMISSION POSTURE REF: A. BOGOTA 2921 ¶B. STATE 77701 Classified By: Econ Counselor Lawrence J. Gumbiner for reasons 1.4(b) a nd (d) ¶1. (SBU) On August 14 EconCouns delivered demarche (ref B) concerning Colombia's obstreperous participation at the June meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) to Maria Andrea Alban, Director of Economic, Social and Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Patricia Cortes of the MFA America's desk also participated. Alban said that new Foreign Minister Jaime Bermudez had instructed her office, traditionally in charge of the IATTC portfolio, to take back responsibilities. Previous Foreign Minister Fernando Araujo had managed IATTC issues from his office and took a personal role in designating the delegation responsible for the debacle in June. ¶2. (SBU) Alban was well aware of the controversy surrounding the GOC performance in Panama and offered her apologies several times. She stated that we were not the first to complain on this issue, noting that the Government of Mexico had already registered its displeasure. (NOTE: We are unsure in what form the Mexican complaint had reached Alban. Contacts in the Mexican Embassy in Bogota were unaware of instructions on the issue from their foreign ministry. END NOTE.) EconCouns indicated that the European Commission was similarly disturbed, and had in fact requested to accompany the USG on the demarche, but that at the request of the MFA we were presenting our positions individually. ¶3. (SBU) The GOC would be reorganizing its internal policy-making process and taking a fresh look at its IATTC position prior to the October meeting in La Jolla, according to Alban. She anticipated that the new delegation would include representatives of the ministries of environment and agriculture along with the MFA and a lone industry representative. This stands in contrast to the June meeting where those ministries were effectively shut out of the delegation and replaced by two industry representatives. Alban added that there will also be a formal consultative process, to include industry and NGOs as well as the various governmental stakeholders, prior to taking a formal position at La Jolla. ¶3. (SBU) EconCouns welcomed the change in approach from the GOC, and expressed confidence that at the La Jolla meeting the GOC would be able to restore its image as a responsible and serious partner in discussions over the tuna fisheries in the Eastern Pacific. He offered to engage in further discussions on the issue, either formally or informally, between now and the October meeting. Alban agreed to consult with us prior to La Jolla. ¶4. (C) Comment. In addition to the USG and Mexican reproaches, the MFA has taken a beating from its own ministries of agriculture and environment, as well as NGOs, over the Panama performance (ref A). This has reached Bermudez, who is aware of the controversy and concerned over the impact on the GOC's international environmental image. Returning the issue to Alban's shop and guaranteeing a broader formulation of IATTC policy are positive first steps, as Araujo was widely rumored to have had personal tuna industry interests that colored the previous GOC position. But we may not yet be out of the water. Environment Vice Minister Mora (protect) told EconCouns that the industry has ratcheted up pressure since Panama at high GOC levels, and she recommended continued USG engagement with the GOC on this issue. Alban--although personally sympathetic to the USG BOGOTA 00003005 002 OF 002 position--does not have sufficient muscle on her own to overcome industry influence, and will need internal and external assistance to assure the right result at La Jolla. End Comment. BROWNFIELD