PRI SENATE LEADER PLEDGES COOPERATION WITH

241543 2009-12-23 22:12:00 09MEXICO3624 Embassy Mexico CONFIDENTIAL 09MEXICO3596 VZCZCXRO4605 RR RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM DE RUEHME #3624/01 3572212 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 232212Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9530 INFO RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC RHEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL RHMFISS/CDR USNORTHCOM PETERSON AFB CO TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL SNAR KCRM MX C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MEXICO 003624 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/23/2019 TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL SNAR KCRM MX SUBJECT: PRI SENATE LEADER PLEDGES COOPERATION WITH AMBASSADOR ON BILATERAL ISSUES REF: MEXICO 3596 Classified By: Ambassador Carlos Pascual for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: The Ambassador met with Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) Senator Manlio Beltrones December 18 to discuss bilateral coordination efforts, the Merida Initiative, military deployment in the northern part of the country, and President Calderon's political reform proposals (reftel). They also discussed the recent law enforcement operation in which the head of the Beltran Leyva drug trafficking organization was killed. The Ambassador suggested that joint hearings be held on the question of Mexico's security challenges in the north and urged that cooperation on the Merida Initiative not be tied to the National Action Party (PAN). The Ambassador also requested that Beltrones work closely with PAN Senator Gustavo Madero before the next U.S.-Mexico Policy Coordination Group meeting between the two countries in late January. End Summary. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador met with Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) Senator Manlio Fabio Beltrones for breakfast on December 18 to discuss a number of bilateral issues between the U.S. and Mexico. The Ambassador briefed Beltrones on a full range of USG efforts including bilateral interagency coordination, recent senior visits, and details of USG support for the operation against Arturo Beltran Leyva on December 16 in the state of Morelos, the latter of which Beltrones understood was confidential and not for public disclosure. Beltrones said that the President of the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH),Raul Plascencia, had complained to him about graphic photos in the press depicting Beltran Leyva's death. ¶3. (C) Beltrones, who is the PRI's Senate coordinator, was pleased by the level of interagency cooperation on both sides and agreed with the Ambassador on the need to find a way to institutionalize it so that it does not disappear with a change of administration or leadership. He said that the new mechanisms for cooperation were an excellent way to instutionalize dialogue. Upon the Ambassador's request, he agreed to coordinate with National Action Party (PAN) Senator Gustavo Madero to arrange a meeting with key Senate figures and committees before the next U.S.-Mexico Policy Coordination Group meeting in January. ¶4. (C) Beltrones noted that National Defense Minister Guillermo Galvan Galvan personally asked him for more legal authority to operate in the northern part of the country and for more troops and resources. Beltrones indicated to the Ambassador discomfort with the nature of the request. The Ambassador suggested that he work with the Calderon Administration to conduct joint hearings that would allow discussion of various means by which to address the issue with all the relevant actors in a way that would not leave the army feeling isolated. The Ambassador also stressed that it was essential that cooperation on the Merida Initiative not be tied to the ruling PAN, making it a target for attacks by the PRI or other political players. Beltrones said he agreed, and that he would explore ways to improve bilateral cooperation on law enforcement matters. ¶5. (C) On Calderon's political reform initiative (reftel), Beltrones agreed on the need for greater predictability when it comes to policy processes and more accountability of elected officials, signaling support for proposals that would allow for the reelection of congressional representatives and reduce the number of congressional members overall. He opined that Congress should have the power to confirm cabinet officials and suggested staggering presidential and congressional elections. He advocated regulatory reform that would strengthen institutions over individual political leaders. Finally, Beltrones emphasized the importance of adopting a new tax code and other fiscal reform, without which Mexico's fiscal stability would founder. Beltrones promised to work on these measures and get back to the Ambassador in January. ¶6. (C) Comment: The Ambassador's meeting with Senator Manlio Beltrones, one of the leading PRI politicians in Mexico, underscores the importance that his party places on maintaining a close relationship with the USG. In response to the Ambassador's requests, Beltrones indicated a willingness to cooperate with the PRI's primary political rival, the PAN, on a number of issues, including the Merida MEXICO 00003624 002 OF 002 Initiative, rationalizing military deployments, and bilateral coordination. In the aftermath of its success in the midterm elections in July as the leading political force in Mexico, the PRI seeks to project the image that it is prepared to cooperate constructively, both with its political rivals, including the current administration, and with the U.S., provided such cooperation is viewed as beneficial to the country. End Comment. 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