US embassy cable - 05SANTIAGO1799

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANTIAGO 001799 
 
SIPDIS 
 
CODEL 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, ETRD, ECON, HA, CI, CODEL 
SUBJECT: CHILE:  CODEL COLEMAN MEETING WITH FOREIGN 
MINISTER IGNACIO WALKER 
 
REF: SANTIAGO 01745 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Craig Kelly, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  SFRC Western Hemisphere Chairman Senator 
Coleman, Senator Martinez and Congressman Miller met with 
Foreign Minister Ignacio Walker in his office for 
approximately thirty minutes on Thursday, August 25 to 
discuss a wide range of regional and bilateral issues.  The 
FM stressed the importance of the shared values, interests 
and visions of Chile and the United States and praised the 
long-standing cooperative trade and diplomatic relations 
between the two countries.  The FM said that Chile is pleased 
with the US-Chile Free Trade Agreement and congratulated the 
CODEL for the ratification of CAFTA.  He reaffirmed Chile's 
commitment to success in Haiti and emphasized the need for 
"constructive engagement" in relations with President Chavez 
and his government in Venezuela.  Senator Coleman praised 
Chile for its economic and political successes and for its 
commitment to Haiti.  He emphasized the concern of the United 
States about the possible threat to democracy in Venezuela. 
End Summary. 
 
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HAITI 
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2.  (C) Senator Coleman opened the meeting by thanking Chile 
for all that it has been doing for Hemispheric stability, 
particularly in Haiti.  Foreign Minister Walker reaffirmed 
Chile's intention to remain involved in Haiti until 
democratic stabilization is achieved.  The FM stated that the 
post-Lagos Chilean government (elections are scheduled for 
December 2005) would need to obtain legislative authority for 
continued troop deployment to Haiti, but that he felt that 
such authorization would be granted.  The FM stated that he 
was "relatively optimistic" about short-term developments in 
Haiti.  He noted that the security situation has been 
improving and the planned elections in December appear likely 
to take place as scheduled.  Senators Coleman and Martinez 
agreed that the United States must continue to work closely 
with Chile and others to develop civil society in Haiti so 
that democratic institutions can take root there.  The FM 
thanked the United States for meeting its financial and aid 
commitments to Haiti but suggested that additional efforts 
should be made to encourage European nations to honor the 
commitments they have made, but not yet funded. 
 
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VENEZUELA 
--------- 
 
3.  (C) The FM recounted his discussions with Secretary Rice 
about the Chilean policy of "constructive engagement" with 
President Chavez and his belief that the Venezuelan situation 
would best be dealt with "from the south" with Chile and 
Brazil taking the lead.  He stressed the good relations 
President Lagos has with Chavez and the high degree of 
respect Chavez has for President Lagos' integrity and 
intellect.  The FM said that President Lula of Brazil also 
has strong influence with Chavez that can be used 
constructively to minimize tension.  He further emphasized, 
"Venezuela is not Cuba and Chavez is not Castro".  The FM 
said that Chavez has restored a degree of legitimacy as a 
result of his successful referendum and that he has strong 
popular support.  He said that business leaders in Venezuela 
have told him that the lack of a viable opposition is a large 
part of the problem in that country.  In the absence of a 
real alternative, Chavez will continue to consolidate his 
power. 
 
4.  (C) Senator Coleman agreed that engagement is key, but 
stressed the concern of the United States that Chavez may 
misuse democratic processes to keep himself in power in 
perpetuity.  He further emphasized concerns about the growing 
militarization of Venezuelan politics and the possible slow 
loss of democracy over time.  Senator Coleman praised Chile 
as a very successful democracy that offers Venezuela a strong 
example of how to proceed.  Senator Martinez stressed the 
need to continue to push for human rights and freedoms of 
expression and press in Venezuela.  Foreign Minister Walker 
agreed and stated that President Lagos has continuously 
stressed these issues in his contacts with President Chavez. 
 
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BOLIVIA 
------- 
5.  (C) Senator Coleman raised the issue of Chavez's role in 
undermining regional stability, particularly in Bolivia.  The 
FM acknowledged Chavez's connection with Bolivian opposition 
leaders such as Evo Morales but noted that many of the 
problems in Bolivia were domestic in their origin.  He 
believes that, to the surprise of many, Bolivia will achieve 
a constitutional solution to its problems and that the 
elections in December will proceed, demonstrating an enduring 
respect for democracy in Bolivia.  He is optimistic that 
continuing economic improvement will also help increase 
stability. 
 
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COLOMBIA 
-------- 
 
6. (C) The FM expressed concern that Colombia has not been 
given the regional support that it needs.  He believes that 
Colombian problems have been overshadowed by Venezuelan and 
Bolivian concerns and that Colombia has been left alone too 
long.  He suggested that more focused world attention be 
addressed to assisting Colombia as it battles 
narcotraffickers and terrorists. 
 
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CUBA 
---- 
 
7.  (C) Senator Martinez raised the issue of human rights 
violations in Cuba and suggested that President Lagos' 
respect in the region gives his opinions on these issues 
great weight with other regional leaders.  The FM stated that 
Chile nearly always supported condemnations of human rights 
violations in Cuba and would continue to speak out.  He 
suggested that time will resolve the Cuban problem with the 
eventual demise of Castro, which will be followed by major 
changes on the island.  Chile has been working with European 
leaders to try to develop policies relating to post-Castro 
Cuba.  He questioned the continued isolation policy of the 
United States.  Senator Martinez suggested that the United 
States be included in the discussions about Cuba after Castro. 
 
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TRADE ISSUES 
------------ 
 
8.  (SBU) The FM stressed the continued importance of the 
US-Chile Free Trade Agreement and the need to remain focused 
on work by both parties to ensure its success.  He said that 
he has been pleased with the advances in trade as a result of 
the FTA and hopes for further improvements.  He said that 
Chile believes CAFTA is extremely important to the economic 
and political future of Central America and observed that 
support for free trade comes more from the "South" now while 
support for protectionism, especially in agriculture, comes 
from the "North".  The FM said that Chile strongly supports 
continued expansion of free trade and hopes to see greater 
opening in the areas of agriculture and services.  Senator 
Coleman noted that, as a left-center coalition government, 
Chile's support of free trade has great credibility within 
the region.  He also praised Chile for its economic, social 
and political success that should serve as an example to be 
emulated by others in the region. 
 
9.  (U) CODEL Coleman did not have the opportunity to clear 
on this cable prior to departing Santiago. 
KELLY