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DE RUEHSG #1005 3191045
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R 141045Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
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INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 2168
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0525
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 1131
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1838
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ NOV LIMA 5795
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 1977

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 001005 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL ECON OVIP PGOV CI
SUBJECT: CODEL ENGEL MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF CHILE'S 
CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY: On November 10, a U.S. Congressional 
delegation led by Rep. Eliot Engel (D - NY) met with 
counterparts from Chile's lower house and discussed the 
bilateral relationship and U.S. policy towards Latin America. 
Chilean and U.S. representatives noted the shared interests 
of both countries, including strengthening democratic 
institutions, promoting free trade agreements (FTAs), and 
fostering education exchanges.  Rep. Engel expressed his 
interest in raising the profile of Latin America during the 
next administration and several Chilean "diputados" 
(representatives) inquired about establishing more regular 
parliamentary exchanges with their U.S. colleagues. 
Ambassador Simons explained that the Chile-California 
partnership is a great opportunity to strengthen ties. END 
SUMMARY 
 
¶2. (U) The U.S. delegation included: Rep. Eliot Engel, Rep. 
Lincoln Davis (D - TN), Rep. Virginia Fox (R - NC), Rep. 
Maurice Hinchey (D - NY), Rep. Brad Miller (D - NC), Rep. 
Nydia Velazquez (D - NY), Rep. Maxine Waters (D - CA), 
Ambassador Simons, and EPOLOff. Chilean participants were: 
Francisco Encina (PS), Renan Fuentealba (CD), Ivan Moreira 
(UDI), Carlos Jarpa (PSRD), Jorge Tarud (PPD), and Marcelo 
Forni (UDI). 
 
"RE-FOCUS ON OUR BACKYARD" 
 
¶3. (U) Rep. Engel told his Chilean counterparts that he 
expects President-elect Obama will be engaged with Latin 
America and thinks the "U.S. needs to re-focus on our 
backyard." Rep. Engel said he will encourage Obama to attend 
the Summit of the Americas in April 2009, and added that the 
U.S. needs to look to its friends and allies for new ideas 
and solutions to challenging problems. He explained that 
President-elect Obama's first order of business will likely 
be the economy, especially if Congress fails to pass an 
economic stimulus package before Thanksgiving. Engel remarked 
that he was impressed by Chile's ability to build 
constructively after elections. He appreciated the 
cooperation among various political parties and the tradition 
of maintaining successful policies regardless of which party 
originally implemented them.  He explained that Chile is a 
great friend and the large visiting delegation (8 members are 
on the trip) demonstrates how much the U.S. cares about 
Chile. Rep. Engel expressed interest in more regular 
exchanges with the Chilean representatives and asked his 
staff to follow up on the idea. 
 
¶4. (U) Rep. Velazquez noted that President-elect Obama 
represents a "new opportunity" because he will be more open 
to listening to others and receiving guidance.  She said that 
Obama will pursue a policy of engagement to deal with Bolivia 
and Venezuela and added that the U.S. needs to pay more 
attention to social, cultural, and political issues in the 
region. 
 
DON'T LEAVE US ALONE 
 
¶5. (U) Francisco Encina, president of Chile's lower house 
(the Chamber of Deputies), welcomed the group by emphasizing 
the strong bilateral relationship and explaining the 
importance of exchanges between officials in both countries. 
He stated the world needs U.S. leadership, especially to 
confront the global financial crisis and the search for 
alternative energy.  Renan Fuentealba, president of the 
International Relations committee, stressed the vigorous 
defense relationship, and he asked the U.S. representatives 
to consider establishing more regular exchanges with members 
of Chile's lower house. Carlos Jarpa and Ivan Moreira 
supported Fuentealba's call for increased exchanges. 
 
¶6. (U) Moreria added that Chile serves as an economic example 
for other countries because of its many FTAs. He said there 
is a need to explain to other countries how to negotiate 
agreements in order to eliminate fears about trade. Moreira 
told the U.S. delegation "not/not to leave us alone" and 
asked what U.S. policy might look like under the Obama 
administration, specifically with regards to Bolivia. 
 
¶7. (U) Chairman Engel has cleared on this message. 
 
 
SIMONS