GOM ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT U.S.-BOLIVIA TALKS

UNCLAS MEXICO 003364 SENSITIVE SIPDIS PASS TO WHA/AND AND INR/WHA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MX PGOV PINR PREL BO SUBJECT: GOM ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT U.S.-BOLIVIA TALKS REF: STATE 114036 ¶1. Poloff delivered reftel demarche November 23 to Raphael Bernal, Director for South America, emphasizing that USG views the new Framework Agreement concluded October 27-28 as the opening of a more collaborative relationship with the Bolivian Government. Cuevas expressed appreciation for the USG's efforts and for Post's willingness to share these developments with the Mexican Government. He underscored that, even as the U.S. worked to improve relations over the last six months, President Morales has continued to make inflammatory statements regarding the USG. Bernal and Poloff agreed that Morales primarily intended to use such rhetoric to retain loyalty within his internal constituency. Bernal encouraged the USG not to take the language seriously or allow it to break down the bilateral talks. ¶2. Bernal noted that Mexico has periodic bilateral talks with Bolivia on counternarcotic issues. These discussions have not been held since 2007 due to political complications in both countries; the next in the series should take place early next year. The GOM also holds similar talks with Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and most countries in the hemisphere. With Colombia, the GOM has met yearly since 2007. Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / PASCUAL