Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SANTIAGO221
2009-03-09 19:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:  

JCS MULLEN IN CHILE: LATIN AMERICAN ENGAGEMENT A

Tags:  PGOV PREL PHUM MARR SOCI CI 
pdf how-to read a cable
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FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
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INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 000221 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/BSC AND PM JEFF BURNETT
PENTAGON FOR OSD - KRISTI HUNT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM MARR SOCI CI
SUBJECT: JCS MULLEN IN CHILE: LATIN AMERICAN ENGAGEMENT A
PRIORITY

REF: SANTIAGO 124

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 000221

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/BSC AND PM JEFF BURNETT
PENTAGON FOR OSD - KRISTI HUNT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM MARR SOCI CI
SUBJECT: JCS MULLEN IN CHILE: LATIN AMERICAN ENGAGEMENT A
PRIORITY

REF: SANTIAGO 124


1. (C) SUMMARY: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral
Mike Mullen emphasized the priority of U.S. engagement with
Latin America during his March 3 visit to Chile. In meetings
with President Bachelet, Minister of Defense Goni, and Chief
of National Defense Ewing, Chairman Mullen praised the
U.S.-Chile relationship, noted the strong mil-to-mil
cooperation between both countries, and recognized Chile's
world-class armed forces. Bachelet expressed a desire for
U.S. "re-engagement" in the region and highlighted the
threats posed by poverty and delinquency to regional
stability. She explained the South American Defense Council
(SADC) seeks cooperative, not collective security and should
not be viewed as a threat. Goni outlined Chile's military
modernization efforts, and identified energy and the
environment as important issues for the bilateral
relationship. END SUMMARY


2. (C) In a packed one-day visit to Chile on March 3,
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen had
separate meetings with President Michelle Bachelet, Minister
of Defense Jose Goni, and Chief of National Defense Lt.
General Alfredo Ewing. The Chairman also received briefings
on Chile's defense modernization plans (reftel) and its
peace-keeping operations during a stop at Chile's Joint
Center for Peacekeeping Operations (CECOPAC). He visited
Chile's Army War College, delivering a speech and taking
questions from students and staff from all three service war
colleges and Chile's National Defense University-equivalent,
ANEPE. El Mercurio conducted an exclusive interview with
Chairman Mullen and his visit generated positive press
coverage.

BACHELET URGES RE-ENGAGEMENT, DEVELOPMENT WITH EQUITY
-------------- --------------


3. (C) President Bachelet encouraged the United States to
"re-engage" with Latin America during her meeting with
Chairman Mullen. Bachelet identified poverty and delinquency
as major threats to the region, and expressed concern about
rising global instability due to the financial crisis. She
emphasized the need for "economic development with equity,"

and explained that Chile successfully reduced poverty through
economic growth.


4. (C) Chairman Mullen, accompanied by the Ambassador and
CJCS Executive Assistant Jamie Foggo, underscored the
"special relationship" between the U.S. and Chile, adding
that Chile is a strong partner. He emphasized the U.S.
commitment to Latin America and highlighted his interest in
engagement with the region. Chairman Mullen noted that,
unlike other regions, Latin America does not face pressing
security threats.


5. (C) Chairman Mullen and Bachelet both acknowledged the
enormous challenges posed by countries like Haiti, and the
Chairman praised Chile's contribution to peacekeeping
efforts. They agreed on the need to build government
institutions that foster economic development and the rule of
law, which are critical to insuring stability and promoting
democracy.

SOUTH AMERICAN DEFENSE COUNCIL: "NOT A NATO SOUTH"
-------------- --------------


6. (C) President Bachelet stated the SADC should not be
viewed as a threat. She said the Council seeks "unity with
diversity," and is designed to promote "cooperative, not
collective," security. Bachelet added the SADC objective is
to develop common strategy, not common policies, because
members have a duty to preserve security and stability.
Chairman Mullen expressed his support for regional
cooperation, and mentioned his discussion of the SADC in
Brazil. He noted the good timing of the SADC and offered
assurances that the United States values regional security
cooperation efforts.


7. (C) In a separate meeting, Goni argued the SADC is not a
"NATO South," but a venue for coordination among defense
ministries in the region. Chairman Mullen complemented Goni
on the GOC's ability to build relationships, and encouraged
the GOC to maintain its focus. Goni stressed the importance
of consensus, describing the need to create a framework for
discussion to share experiences. He listed defense ministry

management, peace-keeping operations, and disaster relief as
areas of common interest among SADC members. He also
disclosed that Chile expects all SADC members to participate
in the March 9-10 meeting and ratify the charter of the
defense council.


8. (C) In her meeting with Chairman Mullen, Bachelet revealed
that Colombian President Uribe and Peruvian President Garcia
initially had doubts about the SADC, but they are now
supportive. Uribe, in particular, worried the Council would
limit his ability to formulate national policies. According
to Bachelet, a conference call among the Chilean, Brazilian,
and Colombian presidents assuaged Uribe's concerns.

BORDER ISSUE WITH PERU, MANTA
--------------


9. (C) Defense Minister Goni raised with Chairman Mullen the
maritime border issue between Chile and Peru. Goni explained
that Chile sees the issue as settled, but Peru continues to
press it. He noted the GOC has diplomatic and political
issues related to this subject, including a pending
proceeding initiated by Peru with the International Court of
Justice. Goni inquired about the future of the forward
operating base in Manta, Ecuador. Chairman Mullen
acknowledged the USG is focused on moving the base somewhere
else, but said he was not aware of any initiative to go to
Peru.


10. (C) Goni said "it's important to note" that in the other
countries Chairman Mullen is visiting the armed forces are
focused on internal issues, such as narco-trafficking,
terrorist groups, and internal violence. (NOTE: Goni did not
list the countries, but was referring to Peru, Brazil,
Colombia, and Mexico.) Goni emphasized the Chilean military
concentrates on defending the nation from external threats,
and it is not used to address domestic problems.

LOOKING AHEAD: JOINTNESS AND ENERGY
--------------


11. (C) Chairman Mullen received briefings on Chile's
military modernization plans (reftel) and shared his
perspective on changes to the U.S. military. He explained in
detail the challenges posed by "jointness," referring to
coordinated leadership and action among all service branches.
Goni highlighted Ministry of Defense efforts to promote
"jointness," and Chairman Mullen emphasized the need to pass
laws and link promotions to joint service to truly effect
change. In a discussion about Chile's war execution plans,
which call for the Chief of National Defense to take charge
of military operations, Lt. General Ewing admitted the
military does not currently train for war on a joint level.


12. (C) Chairman Mullen further observed that "today, one
can't live as a single service or as a single country, one
has to work together." He emphasized the need to develop a
comprehensive approach to security that incorporates the
entirety of government. Chairman Mullen illustrated this by
noting the U.S. military has officials working in a variety
of government agencies, including the departments of State,
Treasury, and Agriculture. Goni identified energy and the
environment as important issues in the U.S.-Chile
relationship, explaining these are new subjects and a new
direction in the mil-to-mil relationship.


13. (C) COMMENT: Chairman Mullen's visit advanced U.S.
interests by sending a clear signal to the GOC that it is a
valued partner with a special U.S. relationship. We concur
with Chairman Mullen's viewpoint that continued engagement
with close allies is imperative, even when threats are
minimal and relations are good. END COMMENT
SIMONS