VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSG #0099/01 0312106
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 312106Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2721
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 1935
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0162
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 0779
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1657
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ FEB LIMA 5436
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 3911
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 1799
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 000099 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2018 
TAGS: PGOV PREL CI
SUBJECT: FM FOXLEY EMPHASIZES BILATERAL COOPERATION, 
EXPORTING CHILE'S POSITIVE AGENDA 
 
REF: SANTIAGO 0054 
 
Classified By: E/Pol Counselor Juan A. Alsace for reasons 1.5 (b) and ( 
d) 
 
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Summary 
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¶1. (C) FM Foxley told the Ambaassador January 31 that Chile 
seeks to maximize cooperation with the U.S. in 2008, even as 
the U.S. enters into its "electoral transition period." 
Chile wants to work to reinvigorate a partnership with 
California, with a focus on innovation.  Development of a 
joint energy agenda remains a key priority.  Chile seeks to 
expand its influence beyond its borders, sharing its 
expertise in areas such as agricutural inspections, as well 
as miltitary and police training.  Foxley said Venezuela had 
torpedoed a useful joint communique at a recent meeting in 
Bogota of South American foreign ministers.  The border issue 
with Peru will continue to preoccupy the GOC.  End summary. 
 
------------------- 
Venezuela Unhelpful 
------------------- 
 
¶2. (C) The Ambassador met January 31, at his request, with 
Foreign Minster Alejandro Foxley.  The meeting was one-on 
one, without notetakers present.  Foxley opened the meeting 
by noting that at the January 26 meeting in Bogota of the 
newly-born UNASUR (Reunion of Foreign Ministers of South 
America), attendees had agreed on a useful joint statement 
(he mentioned particularly the FMs from Brazil, Peru, and 
Colombia) on regional concerns.  (Foxley did not elaborate 
further on the proposed text.)  He and the others had been 
very disappointed when Caracas did not join consensus, 
scuttling the statement's release by insisting that it be 
vetted personally by Chavez.  He attributed it to Chavez' 
reluctance to do anything that might bolster Uribe's stature, 
and said he wiewed Venezuela in a continued spoiler role in 
the hemisphere. 
 
-------------------------------- 
U.S. Electoral Focus No Obstacle 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU)  Foxley said the "transition period" tied to the 
2008 U.S. elections should not impede deepening the bilateral 
relationship.  He wanted to focus on two areas in particular: 
 
-- Enhancing Chile's ties with the state of California. 
Innovation, technology, agroindustry and energy were 
potential avenues to partner with both public and private 
insititutions; 
 
-- Deepening our bilateral energy cooperation. 
 
¶4. (C) Foxley agreed with the Ambassador's suggestion that 
Chile look for more concrete ways to showcase its strong 
institutions "beyond its borders."  The Ambassador said that, 
in his recent meeting with the Agriculture Minister, he 
suggested Chile share its extensive experience in 
agricultural inspections with its neighbors.  Foxley agreed, 
noting that Chile's program with the Interamerican 
Development Bank in Central America was moving along well. 
Foxley mentioned too that Chile would continue and expand on 
its offer to train military and police forces in Central 
America.  (Note:  In keeping with this line, MFA's Ambassador 
for Multilateral Affairs, Eduardo Galvez, recently told E/Pol 
Counselor that Chile will actively promote Ecuador for pilot 
projects under the Partnership for Democratic Governance, 
including offering its expertise in customs and judicial 
matters.) 
 
---------------------------- 
Peru Border Issue Nettlesome 
---------------------------- 
 
¶5. (C) The FM observed, as have other ranking MFA officials 
(reftel), that Peru's bringing to the Hague of its maritime 
border dispute with Chile will consume, "unfortunately," 
 
significant time and energy. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Foxley said he will be in Washington April 6 for 
annual meetings of the World Bank's Trilateral Commission on 
Growth; he serves on its Advisory Board.  Like most Chileans, 
he will be on vacation in February, spending one week in the 
Chilean beach resort of Cachagua and the following two weeks 
in Naples, Florida with his wife. 
 
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Comment 
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¶7. (C) Foxley remains optimistic about the prospects for 
further strengthening the U.S. bilateral relationship but is 
disappointed with headaches presented by the Peru border 
issue and Venezuela.  He clearly views our equal opportunity 
scholarship program and the potential reactivation of 
Chile-California ties as key legacy issues for his tenure as 
Foreign Minister.  End comment. 
SIMONS