Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BOGOTA3005
2008-08-15 13:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
COLOMBIA REVIEWS INTER-AMERICAN TROPICAL TUNA
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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)
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
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