LETTER FOR CONGRESSWOMAN MALONEY RE LEVY

UNCLAS LIMA 001165 SIPDIS SENSITIVE PLEASE PASS TO H AND L/WHA COMMERCE FOR 4331/MAC/WH/MCAMERON PASS USTR FOR HARMAN, CARRILLO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EINV ETRD USTR OPRC OREP PE SUBJECT: LETTER FOR CONGRESSWOMAN MALONEY RE LEVY SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, HANDLE ACCORDINGLY Following is an information copy of a letter sent to Congresswoman Maloney by the US Embassy in Lima, in response to her letter to the Ambassador: Begin text: Lima, Peru July 8, 2008 Dear Representative Maloney, Thank you for you letter of May 30th, 2008 addressed to Ambassador ¶P. Michael McKinley. He is currently out of the country. The Embassy has also been contacted by your constituent Renee Levy and her attorney. Ambassador McKinley received Ms. Levy at the Embassy on May 5th, 2008. We were also contacted by her brother, Peruvian citizen Jacques Levy, and his attorney. As Deputy Chief of Mission, I met with him on April 22nd, 2008. Since being briefed on this issue, we have given Ms. Levy's concerns prompt review. We have raised the issue with the Institute of National Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism and the Foreign Ministry. The Ambassador raised it personally with the Foreign Minister. We have also consulted with the Department of State's Office of the Legal Adviser. At this point, we understand that Ms. Levy and her brothers in Peru are pursuing legal redress in the courts. Those legal proceedings have not yet concluded. I can assure you we will continue to follow this matter and will consider further steps to engage the Peruvian government, as appropriate, as the circumstances evolve. Do not hesitate to contact me if we can be of further assistance. Sincerely, James D. Nealon Charge d'Affaires The Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney, House of Representatives. cc: Matthew Reynolds, Assistant Secretary (acting),Bureau of Legislative Affairs End text. NEALON