FM FOXLEY EMPHASIZES BILATERAL COOPERATION,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 000099 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL CI SUBJECT: FM FOXLEY EMPHASIZES BILATERAL COOPERATION, EXPORTING CHILE'S POSITIVE AGENDA REF: SANTIAGO 0054 Classified By: E/Pol Counselor Juan A. Alsace for reasons 1.5 (b) and ( d) -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) FM Foxley told the Ambaassador January 31 that Chile seeks to maximize cooperation with the U.S. in 2008, even as the U.S. enters into its "electoral transition period." Chile wants to work to reinvigorate a partnership with California, with a focus on innovation. Development of a joint energy agenda remains a key priority. Chile seeks to expand its influence beyond its borders, sharing its expertise in areas such as agricutural inspections, as well as miltitary and police training. Foxley said Venezuela had torpedoed a useful joint communique at a recent meeting in Bogota of South American foreign ministers. The border issue with Peru will continue to preoccupy the GOC. End summary. -------------- Venezuela Unhelpful -------------- ¶2. (C) The Ambassador met January 31, at his request, with Foreign Minster Alejandro Foxley. The meeting was one-on one, without notetakers present. Foxley opened the meeting by noting that at the January 26 meeting in Bogota of the newly-born UNASUR (Reunion of Foreign Ministers of South America),attendees had agreed on a useful joint statement (he mentioned particularly the FMs from Brazil, Peru, and Colombia) on regional concerns. (Foxley did not elaborate further on the proposed text.) He and the others had been very disappointed when Caracas did not join consensus, scuttling the statement's release by insisting that it be vetted personally by Chavez. He attributed it to Chavez' reluctance to do anything that might bolster Uribe's stature, and said he wiewed Venezuela in a continued spoiler role in the hemisphere. -------------- U.S. Electoral Focus No Obstacle -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Foxley said the "transition period" tied to the 2008 U.S. elections should not impede deepening the bilateral relationship. He wanted to focus on two areas in particular: -- Enhancing Chile's ties with the state of California. Innovation, technology, agroindustry and energy were potential avenues to partner with both public and private insititutions; -- Deepening our bilateral energy cooperation. ¶4. (C) Foxley agreed with the Ambassador's suggestion that Chile look for more concrete ways to showcase its strong institutions "beyond its borders." The Ambassador said that, in his recent meeting with the Agriculture Minister, he suggested Chile share its extensive experience in agricultural inspections with its neighbors. Foxley agreed, noting that Chile's program with the Interamerican Development Bank in Central America was moving along well. Foxley mentioned too that Chile would continue and expand on its offer to train military and police forces in Central America. (Note: In keeping with this line, MFA's Ambassador for Multilateral Affairs, Eduardo Galvez, recently told E/Pol Counselor that Chile will actively promote Ecuador for pilot projects under the Partnership for Democratic Governance, including offering its expertise in customs and judicial matters.) -------------- Peru Border Issue Nettlesome -------------- ¶5. (C) The FM observed, as have other ranking MFA officials (reftel),that Peru's bringing to the Hague of its maritime border dispute with Chile will consume, "unfortunately," significant time and energy. ¶6. (SBU) Foxley said he will be in Washington April 6 for annual meetings of the World Bank's Trilateral Commission on Growth; he serves on its Advisory Board. Like most Chileans, he will be on vacation in February, spending one week in the Chilean beach resort of Cachagua and the following two weeks in Naples, Florida with his wife. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) Foxley remains optimistic about the prospects for further strengthening the U.S. bilateral relationship but is disappointed with headaches presented by the Peru border issue and Venezuela. He clearly views our equal opportunity scholarship program and the potential reactivation of Chile-California ties as key legacy issues for his tenure as Foreign Minister. End comment. SIMONS