US embassy cable - 05SANSALVADOR2425

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 002425 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2015 
TAGS: PREL, KSUM, SOCI, ES 
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ SOCIAL CHARTER EVENT (EL SALVADOR) 
 
REF: STATE 154693 
 
Classified By: DCM Michael. A Butler.  Reasons:1.4 (b,d). 
 
(C) On August 29, Polcouns raised reftel talking points with 
GOES Vice-FoMin Eduardo Calix and Multilateral Organizations 
deskoff Felix Ulloa.  Calix stated that he was aware of the 
sinister political motivations behind Chavez's Charter, and 
referred the issue to Mario Rivera, MFA Director of Foreign 
Policy (Politica Exterior).  During a conversation with 
Polcouns on August 30, Rivera stated that the GOES is fully 
aware of Chavez's political motivations in regard to the 
Social Charter, that the GOES sent a low key, technical level 
MFA official to the Caracas meeting, and that official was 
instructed "to be in a listening mode only."  Rivera added 
that the GOES intends to keep a low profile on this issue, 
while being careful not to ruffle GOV feathers unnecessarily. 
Comment: Since Vice-FoMin Calix was out of the country last 
week attending the Rio Group meeting and the Politica 
Exterior position was vacant until August 29, Embassy was 
unable to deliver the demarche at the appropriate level until 
August 29.  We expect that the GOES will support our views on 
this issue, but will tread carefully so as not to create 
controversy with Chavez. 
Barclay