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57124
2006-03-17 20:49:00
06MEXICO1461
Embassy Mexico
CONFIDENTIAL
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MEXICO 001461 
SIPDIS 
SIPDIS 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL MX
Classified By: POLCOUNS LESLIE BASSETT FOR REASONS 1.4 B,D 
¶1. (C) Summary: Jose Maria Perez Gay told poloffs 3/17 that Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) would lay out his initial foreign policy approach on March 21 in Ciudad Juarez. Perez Gay, who is writing the speech, said AMLO would base his foreign policy on a strict interpretation of Mexico's constitution, implying a return to Mexico's non-interventionist positions prior to current President Fox. AMLO would also discuss a "New Deal" for Mexico to generate opportunities and thus blunt the migration trend. Perez Gay cautioned that AMLO does not have any designated emissaries in the U.S., and regretted that U.S. government agencies were being told otherwise. End Summary. 
AMLO's Foreign Policy 
¶2. (C) Perez Gay said AMLO deliberately chose a border location for his foreign policy address, which will be delivered on the 200th anniversary of Benito Juarez' death. According to Perez Gay, Ciudad Juarez played an important role in the early stages of Mexico's diplomatic history, another reason for choosing the venue. AMLO's team hoped to gather 12,000 people for the event, including many mothers of the female murder victims killed within the city. Perez Gay said AMLO's foreign policy would be rooted in a faithful interpretation of the Mexican constitution, based on respect for other nations, non-integration and non-intervention in the internal affairs of other countries. AMLO would make no mention of either Cuba or Venezuela. The United States would be treated as a special case, he continued. AMLO wanted to stress his regret that so many Mexicans saw their future in the U.S. rather than in Mexico, Perez Gay stated, and would eventually announce a kind of "New Deal" to generate employment and opportunities for Mexicans in Mexico. It is not a source of pride for us that $20 billion arrives annually from the U.S. in remittances, Perez Gay elaborated. Those earnings should be generated here, not in the U.S. AMLO would not touch too much on narcotrafficking or security issues specifically, Perez Gay concluded, but would stress the value and importance of the border area to the region's economic, social and political future. 
¶3. (C) Perez Gay continued that he (as presumptive Foreign Secretary if AMLO is elected) was very interested in 
SIPDIS expanding his knowledge of the border, and in hearing the U.S. "top four" operational ideas for making the border more secure, and for controlling migration. He would like, before the elections, to have a briefing on current border procedures and challenges. If the PRD candidate wins, he continued, they would like to arrange for AMLO to tour the border shortly after the election to see first-hand the successes and challenges ahead. In the interim, Perez Gay's assistant will seek a tour of the CJ-El Paso border. 
¶4. (C) Perez Gay said he and AMLO were both interested in dealing more aggressively with the problem of trafficking in persons (TIP). Poloffs described some of the joint initiatives underway and legislation pending in the Chamber of Deputies. They also provided the 2005 TIP report and related materials. 
No Emissaries 
¶5. (C) Poloffs inquired about the alleged network of U.S.-based AMLO supporters reportedly authorized to seek appointments and speak on AMLO's behalf. Perez Gay said there were no/no "AMLO emissaries" in the U.S. and self-described envoys like Jorge De los Santos did not have the candidate's authorization to speak for him. Perez Gay's objections seemed based more on the concern that it would look presumptuous to be seeking meetings before victory was secured. Poloffs pointed out that the presumed "AMLO emissaries" were pushing on open doors. There was a great deal of interest in hearing more about AMLO and his positions -- it would make sense for someone to start reaching out. (Note: At a recent university conference where the foreign policy advisors for the three candidates were expected, the PRD was again a no show). 
Small Shop, Big Job 
¶6. (C) Comment: Perez Gay has added an assistant to his one-man operation, but continues to operate out of his house, where he has received a number of visitors from the U.S. and other countries. Poloffs agreed to continue to provide unclassified background materials to Perez Gay on bilateral 
SIPDIS assistance programs and other issues. At Perez Gay's request we will also offer briefings on USAID programs, especially judicial reform, and border issues. With AMLO polling 10 points ahead of everyone else, it can do no harm to try and 
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bring his team up to speed on our bilateral programs. 
¶7. (C) Bio note: Perez Gay expressed his concern that it was presumptuous for AMLO backers to meet with USG officials in the U.S. before victory was secured, a reflection of his concern that the campaign be correct in its (extremely limited) dealings with foreigners. Perez Gay also suggested for the first time that he would not be Foreign Secretary under AMLO, speculating that for political reasons his friend AMLO might need to offer the job to someone else. However, throughout most of the conversation Perez Gay talked as though he fully expected to be Foreign Secretary if AMLO wins. Perez Gay seems to have a hip condition that clearly impedes his ability to walk, and appears to have gotten worse over recent weeks. It may be that health concerns are part of the consideration about whether or not he will be part of an AMLO cabinet. It's clear that for now, however, he is both foreign policy advisor and close personal friend. End comment 
Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity 
GARZA