MEXICO ON THE PARTNERSHIP FOR DEMOCRATIC

C O N F I D E N T I A L MEXICO 000189 SIPDIS SIPDIS WHA/PPC -- JENNA BEN-YEHUDA E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2027 TAGS: ECON PGOV POL PREL PHUM KDEM WHA MX SUBJECT: MEXICO ON THE PARTNERSHIP FOR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE REF: STATE 156839 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Charles V. Barclay. Reason : 1.4 (b),(d). ¶1. (U) Action Request. See para. 4. ¶2. (C) Minister Jose Antonio Zabalgoitia, the General Coordinator of Advisors to the Foreign Minister, was reluctant initially about identifying candidates for PDG projects. He thought it would be more appropriate for potential candidates to volunteer themselves and for the PDG's advisory council to weigh in formally. Deputy PolCouns remarked that states might prove reluctant to "volunteer" for a new, untested program without some nudging and to that end the U.S. was consulting informally with the PDG's founding members for views. Off the record, Zabalgoitia then speculated judicial reform in Guatemala or any number of projects in Haiti might prove worthy of consideration. Mexico would consider providing technical assistance depending the country selected and the kind of expertise called for by the project. In the end, he thought the best approach might call for matching the kind of assistance some States might offer with the kinds of needs others might have. ¶3. (C) Minister Alejandro Negrin, Director General of the Office of Human Rights and Democracy, repeatedly asked about the kinds of projects the PDG was best suited for before offering one of his own for consideration. He maintained that Iraq had recently approached Mexico for assistance in conducting elections and that Mexico was considering responding positively on the understanding funding could come from the UNDP. Vivanco, however, wanted to know U.S. views on the merits of Mexico's cooperation with Iraq on such a project. He remarked that Mexico would like to consider establishing a center that would provide election training and assistance to any interested country. He asked for U.S. views on Mexico's offering such a project to the PDG for consideration and possible funding. Deputy PolCouns assured Mexico that, in principle, the U.S. welcomed creative initiatives from other members and that we would get back to Mexico with U.S. views on this particular initiative. ¶4. (C) Action Request: Mexico's FM reps used this meeting to seek USG views on providing Iraq election assistance as well as pitching creation of an election capacity building center as a potential PDG project. Post requests Department views soonest with a view to being responsive to the GOM's queries. Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / GARZA