Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SANSALVADOR816
2009-08-28 21:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy San Salvador
Cable title:
EL SALVADOR STILL UNDECIDED ON JOINING PETROCARIBE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSN #0816 2402152 ZNY CCCAA ZZH P 282152Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1560 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0365 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 000816
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2029
TAGS: EPET EAID ENRG PREL ES
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR STILL UNDECIDED ON JOINING PETROCARIBE
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES ROBERT BLAU, REASONS 1.4(B) and (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 000816
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2029
TAGS: EPET EAID ENRG PREL ES
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR STILL UNDECIDED ON JOINING PETROCARIBE
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES ROBERT BLAU, REASONS 1.4(B) and (D)
1. (C) Vice Foreign Minister for External Cooperation Jaime
Miranda told Econcouns August 28 that President Funes
remained undecided on whether to join Petrocaribe. The
Salvadoran press had reported in early August that Miranda
would be starting negotiations with the Government of
Venezuela, but Miranda advised the GOES had only held general
talks on cooperation with Venezuela through their new
Ambassador to Caracas. According to Miranda, the GOES is
still discussing the pros, primarily below-market price oil,
and cons for El Salvador of Petrocaribe and other Venezuelan
assistance. In the short-term, Miranda added, their
cooperation agenda was focused on Brazil, from whom they were
about to receive a new development loan, Chile, Colombia, and
President Funes's visit to the UN General Assembly in
September.
2. (C) COMMENT: The GOES's approach to Petrocaribe is
consistent with the pragmatic foreign policy we have seen the
new government adopt during its first three months. The new
Ambassador to Venezuela, however, is part of the hard-line
FMLN and may have been the one driving press coverage, trying
to push the GOES towards the FMLN's favored position. An
aide to Funes told us earlier in the week that during his
pre-inaugural trip to Caracas, Funes was livid with the FMLN
hard-liners who accompanied him and made their own meeting
schedules with Funes's clearance.
BLAU
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2029
TAGS: EPET EAID ENRG PREL ES
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR STILL UNDECIDED ON JOINING PETROCARIBE
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES ROBERT BLAU, REASONS 1.4(B) and (D)
1. (C) Vice Foreign Minister for External Cooperation Jaime
Miranda told Econcouns August 28 that President Funes
remained undecided on whether to join Petrocaribe. The
Salvadoran press had reported in early August that Miranda
would be starting negotiations with the Government of
Venezuela, but Miranda advised the GOES had only held general
talks on cooperation with Venezuela through their new
Ambassador to Caracas. According to Miranda, the GOES is
still discussing the pros, primarily below-market price oil,
and cons for El Salvador of Petrocaribe and other Venezuelan
assistance. In the short-term, Miranda added, their
cooperation agenda was focused on Brazil, from whom they were
about to receive a new development loan, Chile, Colombia, and
President Funes's visit to the UN General Assembly in
September.
2. (C) COMMENT: The GOES's approach to Petrocaribe is
consistent with the pragmatic foreign policy we have seen the
new government adopt during its first three months. The new
Ambassador to Venezuela, however, is part of the hard-line
FMLN and may have been the one driving press coverage, trying
to push the GOES towards the FMLN's favored position. An
aide to Funes told us earlier in the week that during his
pre-inaugural trip to Caracas, Funes was livid with the FMLN
hard-liners who accompanied him and made their own meeting
schedules with Funes's clearance.
BLAU