US embassy cable - 05LIMA5135

UNCLAS LIMA 005135 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PE 
SUBJECT: ANDEAN COMMUNITY SECGEN WAGNER'S PROPOSALS TO 
ENERGIZE HIS ORGANIZATION'S FOREIGN RELATIONS ROLE 
 
REF: LIMA 4773 
 
1.  Andean Community of Nations (CAN) Secretary General Allan 
Wagner hosted a colloquium entitled: "Andean Community 
External Relations: International Insertion with Social 
Inclusion" on 11/15, at which he presented his vision for 
CAN's foreign relations role.  Wagner argued that the time 
and environment are right for a new agenda focused on three 
broad themes: democracy and social inclusion; commerce and 
productive development; and regional security and energy 
cooperation. 
 
2.  With respect to the U.S., Wagner proposed a new agenda 
focused on developing social cohesion/inclusion, combating 
transnational crime, and promoting energy cooperation. (Note: 
Though the message was generally the same, in a prior meeting 
between Ambassador Struble and Wagner (Reftel), Wagner 
organized the three major areas of dialogue with the U.S. as 
drugs, terrorism, and energy security.  End Note.)  The CAN 
SecGen also stressed the need for increased cooperation and 
progress on a free trade agreement with the EU, as well as 
enhanced relations with South Korea, Japan, China, and India. 
 Throughout the presentation, he emphasized the need to 
promote social cohesion and inclusion while promoting 
commerce and productive development. 
 
3.  Much of the discussion following Wagner's speech dealt 
with panelists' and audience members' concern that Venezuelan 
President Hugo Chavez's policies and actions have created a 
"crisis" for the CAN.  Former Minister of the Interior Gino 
Costa and others expressed skepticism about Wagner's 
optimistic presentation, noting that Venezuela's approach to 
economic and foreign policy issues conflicts with those of 
its CAN partners and makes coherent CAN engagement with the 
U.S. impossible.  Another recurring comment from the 
participants was that despite making progress at the 
macroeconomic level, poverty and excluded populations remain 
serious problems, and, as a result, increased emphasis on 
social inclusion is needed. 
 
4.  COMMENT:  Wagner clearly wants to enhance the CAN's role 
in the Andean region's relations with key countries, but his 
proposals are long on goals, short on details, and vague as 
to what value-added the CAN can bring to the table.  He 
continues to be reluctant to address the problems that 
Chavez's Venezuela poses for the CAN as an institution, as 
well as for that organization's ability to serve as an 
interlocutor with the U.S.  END COMMENT. 
 
5.  Post is faxing a copy of Wagner's presentation to WHA/AND. 
POWERS