AGREEMENT LEADS TO LIKELY REPEAL OF DECREES

C O N F I D E N T I A L LIMA 000866 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/16/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR SOCI PE SUBJECT: AGREEMENT LEADS TO LIKELY REPEAL OF DECREES REF: LIMA 861 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: DCM James Nealon for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. The multi-sector working group established to hold dialogue between indigenous groups and the central and regional governments met for the first time June 16 (refs). On June 17, the Prime Minister and working group representatives delivered to Congress the government's proposal to repeal the two controversial decrees that sparked the protests. Congress is scheduled to vote -- and likely to approve -- the proposal June 18. Indigenous leaders have called for an end to protests, and while some appear to be coming to a close, those in Andahuaylas and Cusco drag on. End summary. Dialogue With Indigenous Leaders Begins -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On June 16th, the multi-sector working group established to hold dialogue between indigenous groups and the central and regional governments met for the first time. The press reported that the group discussed health and education issues relevant to Amazonian communities. The session ended with media images of warm embraces between the two sides. Afterwards, repeating a statement made earlier by President Garcia, PM Simon announced that all agreements reached by the group would be binding on the government. Proposal to Revoke Decrees in Congress -------------- ¶3. (C) On June 17th, the Prime Minister and representatives from the working group delivered to Congress the government's proposal to repeal the two controversial presidential decrees that originally sparked the protest. Congress will reportedly debate the proposal on June 18th, and observers say the proposal will almost certainly pass. The Nationalist Party, which has been calling for repeal for weeks, promised to support the proposal while also suggesting it may demand the reinstatement of seven party Congresspeople suspended for protesting in Congress the previous week. Staffers for a suspended PNP Congresswoman told us this demand would not be a condition for voting to repeal the decrees. Some Protests Ebb, Some Continue -------------- ¶4. (C) The indigenous group Aidesep, which initially led the Amazonian protests, called on June 16 for an end to remaining protests, in light of the government's decision to repeal the decrees. The press reports that protestors blocking the road to the Amazonian town Yurimaguas are preparing to return to their communities, but will wait until the decrees are finally rescinded before actually departing. Protestors are allowing cars to pass during six hours each day. ¶5. (C) Meanwhile, protests in the southern Andean city Andahuaylas -- where 5,000 protestors seized control of the tiny airport -- entered the seventh day. The mayor informed us that the protest there was launched by the radical union Sutep, whose local leader is a former Shining Path member, to show solidarity with the Amazonian protests and in the hopes that other Andean towns would follow suit. He said the protest appears to be losing momentum, and hoped that a dialogue to be established on June 18th between local leaders and government representatives will reestablish order. Roadblocks also continue around Cusco. MCKINLEY