PCN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SEES OPPORTUNITY TO WIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 001201 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2018 TAGS: PGOV ES SUBJECT: PCN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SEES OPPORTUNITY TO WIN Classified By: Ambassador Glazer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The National Concilitation Party (PCN) announced Tomas Chevez as its presidential candidate on August 31. Chevez believes his religious affiliation and experience make a first round win possible. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Poloffs met with PCN President Ciro Cruz Zepeda, PCN Presidential Candidate Tomas Chevez, and Chevez,s principal advisor, Marco Dimas Mejia, on October 16. Chevez's candidacy was announced August 31. Chevez said that he believes 40 percent of the Salvadoran electorate is undecided and the PCN believes they have a chance to win the March 2009 presidential election on the first round of voting. ¶3. (C) Chevez said that 35 percent of the Salvadoran electorate identified itself as evangelical Christian and that these voters distrust both ARENA and the FMLN. He said he was working directly with churches on a national level to increase his base and says that his background - university educated, experience in the business sector, and evangelical Christian - will appeal to the Salvadoran people. When asked about his platform, Chevez said that they would have a final version soon and that it would focus on strengthening the rule of law, unifying Salvadoran society, eliminating corruption, working with the business sector to provide better jobs, and developing policies to reduce poverty, prevent children from joining gangs, and improve the agriculture sector. ¶4. (C) Chevez and Dimas Mejia plan to travel to the U.S. in mid-November to visit Salvadoran communities in Miami, Washington, Houston, and elsewhere. Chevez said he hoped to brief USG officials on his campaign and platform while in Washington. PolCouns will undertake to pass along such a request when received. GLAZER