GOP SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH INDIGENOUS LEADERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L LIMA 000856 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/16/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR SOCI PE SUBJECT: GOP SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH INDIGENOUS LEADERS REF: LIMA 0844 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Ambassador P. Michael McKinley for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: The GOP on June 15th signed a 12-point agreement with indigenous leaders that will lead to the annulment (vice the previous suspension) of the two presidential decrees that sparked protests and roadblocks in the northern Amazon since early April. Protests and roadblocks continue in various regions of the country, but observers expect most will dissipate once the GOP agreement with the indigenous is implemented, at least over the short term. As tensions inside Peru begin to subside for now, bilateral relations with Bolivia worsened on June 15 when the GOP recalled its Ambassador to Bolivia for consultations after President Evo Morales called the Bagua incident "genocide" caused by the US-Peruvian free trade agreement. The Agreement -------------- ¶2. (U) The GOP on June 15th signed a 12-point agreement with indigenous leaders that will lead to the annulment (vice the previous suspension) of the two presidential decrees that sparked protests and roadblocks in the northern Amazon since early April. The agreement, which Prime Minister Yehude Simon negotiated with the leaders of 390 indigenous communities, commits the GOP to submit to Congress by June 18 a law that would annul the decrees, and commits the indigenous communities to participate in a multi-sector commission drafting new laws to protect the rainforest. The agreement also commits the commission to consider different methods for holding broader dialogue with indigenous communities. Separately, President Garcia has promised that the laws agreed by this commission will be implemented. Update on Protests -------------- ¶3. (C) Protests and roadblocks continue in Cusco, Puno, Amazonas, Apurimac and along the Central Highway east of Lima, but observers expect all will dissipate once the GOP agreement with the indigenous is implemented, at least over the short term. The most serious roadblocks appear to be in Cusco, where protestors have cut all of the main roads and traffic into the city, according to a local contact, although flights are unaffected. Protest leaders have vowed to continue the strikes until Congress annuls the two presidential decrees. Indigenous leaders blocking the main highway east of Lima have agreed to lift their protest as part of the agreement with the GOP. Yet Another Peru/Bolivia Spat -------------- ¶4. (SBU) As tensions within Peru begin to subside for now, bilateral relations with Bolivia worsened on June 15 when the GOP recalled its Ambassador to Bolivia for consultations after President Evo Morales remarked that the Bagua incident was "genocide" caused by the Free Trade Agreement between the U.S and Peru. In words clearly aimed at Morales, President Garcia Belaunde said that, "Each one governs his own country and it is better not to interfere in another's country or opine on a theme, or send letters, or sometimes also send trained or armed people." Foreign Minister Garcia referred to Bolivia as an "enemy of Peru" and promised to sue foreign non-governmental organizations that were purposely spreading misinformation. MCKINLEY