US embassy cable - 05BOGOTA9248

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 009248 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/EPSC THOMAS MESA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, ECON, KSUM, CO 
SUBJECT: CONTINUED COLOMBIAN SUPPORT AT SUMMIT OF THE 
AMERICAS 
 
REF: A. STATE 178321 
     B. BOGOTA 8329 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Jeffrey DeLaurentis; 
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (U)  PolOff delivered Ref A demarche to MFA Summit of the 
Americas Coordinator Francisco Gonzalez on September 27. 
PolCouns followed up with new Multilateral Affairs Office 
Director Nicolas Rivas on September 28.  Emboffs stressed 
U.S. concerns about the tone and content of the draft 
leaders' statement and asked the GOC to consider a joint 
statement on the importance of the private sector and market 
forces and trade in promoting jobs and growth. 
 
2.  (C) Gonzalez, who will be in Washington for the SIRG 
starting October 3, is well-versed in U.S. concerns and said 
the U.S. could count on continued Colombian support.  He 
noted, however, that Colombia "was not the problem."  In his 
opinion, it will be difficult to overcome "too much 
consensus" in Mercosur.  Gonzalez also said the Colombians 
are frustrated with Argentine leadership because they 
regularly prevent full discussion on the issues.  Despite 
assurances of shared concerns and continued support, Gonzalez 
reiterated that the GOC's goal was to serve as a consensus 
builder (Ref B). 
 
3.  (U) Gonzalez was already familiar with the U.S. proposal 
for the introductory paragraphs of the leaders' statement. 
He said Colombia has no "core disagreement."  He also said 
the GOC would be interested in reviewing a proposed joint 
statement on these introductory paragraphs.  He looks forward 
to discussing this further next week in Washington. 
 
4.  (U) According to Gonzalez and others in the MFA, 
President Uribe and Foreign Minister Barco are likely to 
attend the Summit in November, along with Minister of Social 
Protection Diego Palacio and Director of National Planning 
Santiago Montenegro. 
 
WOOD