URUGUAY'S TAKE ON PNG DECLARATIONS OF U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L MONTEVIDEO 000534 SIPDIS FOR WHA/AND BARBARA ROCHA E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM BL ASEC UY SUBJECT: URUGUAY'S TAKE ON PNG DECLARATIONS OF U.S. AMBASSADORS REF: STATE 99473 Classified By: DCM ROBIN MATTHEWMAN, FOR REASON 1.4 (B) ¶1. (C) DCM made reftel points to MFA Secretary General Ambassador Nelson Fernandez September 17. Fernandez acknowledged the U.S.'s positive regional agenda, and expressed regret over the persona non grata designations of our ambassadors to Bolivia and Venezuela. Looking for a bright side, Fernandez expressed his hope that Ambassador Goldberg's expulsion would inspire additional GOB efforts to work toward a compromise, saying the GOB now has no one else upon whom to place blame for its difficulties. Regarding Venezuela, Fernandez said only: "One has to take Chavez for what he is." ¶2. (C) Assessing the situation in Bolivia, Fernandez listed three key points for the GOU. The GOU's first priority is to ensure that the situation does not descend further into violence. Uruguay will also do all it can to facilitate dialogue between the GOB and its opposition, Fernandez said. Finally, Uruguay views Bolivian instability as a South American problem, and has therefore decided to work with neighbors to effect a solution. According to Fernandez, that point explains the willingness of President Vazquez, who is normally reluctant to attend summits, to fly to Santiago for the September 15 UNASUR summit. Baxter