VZCZCXYZ0014
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHME #0768 0742139
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 142139Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0923
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0206

UNCLAS MEXICO 000768 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
WHA/MEX; USOAS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV CO EC MX
SUBJECT: MEXICO ON 3/17 OAS MINISTERIAL 
 
REF: STATE 25971 
 
¶1.  Acting PolCouns stressed with Minister Jose Antonio 
Zabulguitia, 
the Foreign Ministry's Director General of the Office of 
Regional 
Organizations and Mechanisms in the Americas, the importance 
the U.S. 
attached to using the 3/17 OAS Consultations to focus on the 
future 
and better address transnational threats that contribute to 
conflicts. 
Zabulguitia, who will represent Mexico at the upcoming 
consultations, 
believed the Rio Group meeting had contributed significantly 
to a 
lowering of tensions.  Nonetheless, he thought the OAS should 
assume 
the lead for producing a longer term resolution. 
 
¶2.  Separately, Zabulguitia noted that both Uruguay and the 
Dominican 
Republic were vying to preside over the 3/17 Consultations. 
Mexico 
respected both countries and did not favor one over the 
other.  However, 
Zabulguitia wanted the U.S. to know that Mexico thought it 
important 
for this question to be resolved on the basis of consensus 
rather than 
a contentious vote. 
 
 
 
 
Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American 
Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / 
GARZA