Uruguay: Governing Coalition President Calls U.S. Role in Haiti ""Vital""

UNCLAS MONTEVIDEO 000080 SIPDIS WHA FOR CHRIS MCMULLEN WHA/BSC FOR DRUCKER, FRIEDMAN, DASCHBACH WHA/PDA FOR DICKSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR PREL ASEC KPKO HA UY SUBJECT: Uruguay: Governing Coalition President Calls U.S. Role in Haiti ""Vital"" REF: MVD 60 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. Charg???? met with ruling Frente Amplio (FA) coalition president Jorge Brovetto February 3 to explain the U.S. role in Haiti disaster relief and underscore the extensive support the USG is providing to Uruguayan peacekeepers in Haiti. She emphasized the moral imperative our entire government and country feels to come to the aid of Haiti, our full respect for the country's sovereignty, one government response, and our close coordination with MINUSTAH and other donors. She urged a joint public stance of collaboration that reflects our joint work together on this vital mission. Background: The FA issued a declaration January 28 articulating concern that ""hegemonic powers"" would take advantage of the current situation, and incoming Minister of Defense Luis Rosadilla, currently in Haiti, has made similar statements. ¶2. Brovetto explained that no one in the GOU or the Frente Amlio coalition has the slightest doubt about the vital role the USG is playing or the fact that our intentions are only to help the people of Haiti. He added that he understands the significant U.S. military presence is natural and necessary, because the U.S. armed forces are the only organization in the world with the capacity to really help. He characterized the January 28 FA declaration was drafted by a political commission, and he had felt release of it was a harmless way to let some leftist members of his coalition blow off steam. Brovetto then made an unsolicited offer to discuss the constructive and critical role of the U.S. effort in Haiti during a February 4 gathering of the FA's legislative factions. While this statement will not necessarily be publicized in the press, he believes it will lay the groundwork for putting the issue to rest. Charge agreed it would be extremely helpful. Brovetto complimented the Embassy for keeping our media focus on the positive message on the USG's help for the people of Haiti. Nelson