MEXICO ON 3/17 OAS MINISTERIAL

UNCLAS MEXICO 000768 SIPDIS SIPDIS WHA/MEX; USOAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV CO EC MX SUBJECT: MEXICO ON 3/17 OAS MINISTERIAL REF: STATE 25971 ¶1. Acting PolCouns stressed with Minister Jose Antonio Zabulguitia, the Foreign Ministry's Director General of the Office of Regional Organizations and Mechanisms in the Americas, the importance the U.S. attached to using the 3/17 OAS Consultations to focus on the future and better address transnational threats that contribute to conflicts. Zabulguitia, who will represent Mexico at the upcoming consultations, believed the Rio Group meeting had contributed significantly to a lowering of tensions. Nonetheless, he thought the OAS should assume the lead for producing a longer term resolution. ¶2. Separately, Zabulguitia noted that both Uruguay and the Dominican Republic were vying to preside over the 3/17 Consultations. Mexico respected both countries and did not favor one over the other. However, Zabulguitia wanted the U.S. to know that Mexico thought it important for this question to be resolved on the basis of consensus rather than a contentious vote. 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