US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA8329

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 008329 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/02/2015 
TAGS: KSUM, PGOV, ECON, CO, OAS 
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA ON SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS PREPARATIONS 
 
REF: STATE 158875 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Jeffrey DeLaurentis 
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C) Summary. The United States can "count on Colombia's 
support" at the Summit of the Americas if such support is 
"crucial," according to the MFA, but Colombia hopes to avoid 
being in the middle of disputes, especially with Venezuela, 
unless absolutely necessary.  The GOC asked for support for 
its "democratic security" agenda and suggested a meeting 
between MFA Vice Minister Camilo Reyes and Ambassador Maisto 
September 7-9 in Buenos Aires. End Summary. 
 
2. (U) Poloffs made Ref A demarche to MFA Director for the 
Summit of the Americas Francisco Gonzalez on August 29, 
stressing U.S. commitment to a successful Summit but noting 
concerns about the unfocused nature of the draft Declaration 
and the pace of negotiations. Poloffs encouraged the MFA to 
consider a simple leaders' statement in the event that a 
consensus Declaration cannot be finished before the November 
Summit. 
 
3.  (C) Gonzalez noted that the GOC and the U.S. were in 
accord on most issues, including that a private-sector led, 
free market economy is the foundation for prosperity and 
social development. However, he noted that the U.S. should 
not expect a lot of comment from Colombia during the Summit 
on U.S. economic priorities. "But, we won't get in your way," 
he said. 
 
4.  (C) According to Gonzalez, the GOC intends to be 
aggressive on only one issue: "democratic security." For 
Colombia, he said, there can be no economic growth and no 
progress on social development goals without security. The 
GOC would appreciate U.S. support on security issues. 
 
5.  (C) In general, Gonzalez said that the U.S. "could count 
on GOC support" at the Summit, but was quick to note that the 
GOC would not get into the middle of any debate between the 
U.S. and Venezuela and Argentina unless it "were necessary." 
Gonzalez said the GOC does not want problems with Venezuela, 
but promised GOC backing if it were "crucial" or if the US 
"badly needed" assistance. 
 
6.  (C) While Gonzelez did not leap at the opportunity to 
provide input for a leaders' declaration on shared goals, he 
noted that Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Camilo 
Reyes will attend the September 7-9 meeting in Buenos Aires 
and would welcome the opportunity to meet with Ambassador 
Maisto. 
WOOD