MERCOSUR'S PARLIAMENT REACTS NEGATIVELY TO THE

UNCLAS MONTEVIDEO 000469 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT ALSO FOR WHA/BSC NSC FOR DFISK AND GTOMASULO SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MCAP UY SUBJECT: MERCOSUR'S PARLIAMENT REACTS NEGATIVELY TO THE REACTIVATION OF THE U.S. FOURTH FLEET ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Dr. Rosinha, President of the MERCOSUR Parliament, wrote to Ambassador Baxter on July 30 to convey the text of the declaration of the MERCOSUR Parliament voicing disapproval of the reactivation of the Fourth Fleet. As in this case, the Uruguayan delegates to the Mercosur Parliament frequently take positions contrary to GOU policy. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Following is the text of Embassy Montevideo's unofficial translation of the declaration: //BEGIN UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION: Regarding the Reactivation of the Fourth Fleet of the United States Navy WHEREAS South America is a peaceful and democratic region, in which eventual conflicts are normally resolved observing the principles of non-intervention and of peaceful negotiation and solution of conflicts; SIGNALING that the region, contrary to some other regions of the planet, does not register terrorist activities, thanks in great part to its religious, political and ethnic diversity, which permits the harmonious cohabitation of varying races, and groups of different religions and ideologies; CONSTITUTING that, in relation to the necessity of combating drug trafficking, which greatly affects, the American continent, the countries of South America, and especially the member states of MERCOSUR, which cooperate actively amongst themselves and with many other nations from diverse regions in order to win this difficult struggle; OBSERVING that almost all the states of the region will sign bilateral extradition treaties to combat narcotrafficking and of judicial cooperation with the United States, seeking security in the hemisphere, in the spirit of peaceful diplomatic cooperation; REMEMBERING that the U.S. Navy Fourth Fleet was created in 1943, in time of war and in a period when merchant marine ships of the region were being attacked by German submarines, which specifically justified its creation; REMEMBERING, as well, that the Fourth Fleet was deactivated in 1950, given the lack of necessity for a specific military presence for the South Atlantic and in a time of peace; CONCERNED with the possible militarization of regional conflicts that the reactivation of the Fourth Fleet may bring; or that it could bring, for its part, a hemispheric insecurity and compromise the processes of both South American integration as well as that of MERCOSUR itself; NOTING the fact that the reactivation of the Fourth Fleet, 58 years after its deactivation, occurs at the precise moment in which the announcement was made of substantial discoveries of oil and natural gas on the continental shelves of Brazil and Uruguay; EMPHASIZING the necessity that all countries ratify the United Nations Convention on Rights of the Sea and that they respect its principles, including that which is written in paragraphs 4 and 5 of article 76 of the aforementioned convention, which states that those countries which are party to said Convention will be allowed to extend their continental shelf up to the limit of 350 nautical miles; and, finally, CONVINCED that the MERCOSUR member states, as well as other countries of South America, are in the condition, by virtue of their political and diplomatic maturity, to articulate the security of the region; THE PARLIAMENT OF MERCOSUR DECLARES: ¶1. Its conviction that the reactivation of the Fourth Fleet of the U.S. Navy is entirely unnecessary and inopportune, given the actual world and regional circumstances that confront South America as a peaceful and democratic region, in which eventual conflicts are normally resolved in strict observance with the principles of non-intervention and of negotiated solutions to disagreements. ¶2. Its understanding that the necessary fight against narcotrafficking can and should be done within the parameters already established in innumerable bilateral and multilateral agreements, in an environment of diplomatic cooperation and in strict observance of the sovereignty of all countries. ¶3. Its understanding that the militarization of regional problems and conflicts, under whatever pretext, could result in hemispheric instability and compromise the integration of South America and of MERCOSUR itself. ¶4. Its agreement with the dictates of the United Nations Convention on Sea Rights, including that which is written in paragraphs 4 and 5 of article 76 of the aforementioned convention, which allows countries party to said convention to extend their continental shelf to a limit of 350 nautical miles. ¶5. Its support of the initiatives designed to adequately assure the security of the region, within the principles of multilateralism and of negotiated solutions to conflicts, such as those proposed by the Organization of American States, the Rio Group and by MERCOSUR itself. Montevideo, July 29, 2008 SIGNED Parliamentarian Dr. Rosinho President SIGNED Dr. Edgar Lugo Parliamentary Secretary END UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION// ¶3. (SBU) Embassy will scan and submit a copy of the original Portuguese language text of the declaration, as well as a copy of the cover letter and post's unofficial English translation, via email to WHA/BSC desk officer for dissemination at Main State. Contact points for this issue are Political Counselor Mr. Alfred Schandlbauer (schandlbauerax@state.gov) and Pol/Econ OMS Cheryl Churchek (churchekca@state.gov). Matthewman