Cablegate: Demarche Delivered On Usg Priorities For

VZCZCXRO1426
RR RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM
DE RUEHME #3926 2052256
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 242256Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8146
INFO RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0977
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0143

UNCLAS MEXICO 003926

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR G - JUAQUIN FERRAO, DRL/MLGA - LYNN SICADE, AND
IO/RHS - RACHEL LEATHAM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PREL PHUM UNGA MX
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON USG PRIORITIES FOR
PREPARATORY MEETING FOR THE COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES
MINISTERIAL

REF: STATE 98670

Poloff delivered reftel demarche July 23 to SRE Area Director
for Human Rights and Democracy Luis Benavides. Benavides
listened to the U.S. position urging the GOM not to support
full Participant status for Russia, Nigeria, and Venezuela,
and to offer "special guest" status to Taiwan. However, he
showed little sign the GOM would support us on these issues.
Benavides explained that Mexico favors full Russian
participation because "allowing Russia's full participation
is more likely to lead to the strengthening of its democratic
institutions than not allowing its full participation." He
said the GOM was not prepared to disclose its position on
Venezuela or Nigeria, but stated that Mexico is trying to
improve its relations with its Latin American neighbors and
noted with regard to Venezuela concerns only about
limitations on freedom of expression. He asked if the USG
would take into account the abuses of religious freedom and
of women in the case of Nigeria. Regarding inviting Taiwan
as a special guest, Benavides
said this would be "very complicated" and reiterated Mexico's
support for the One China policy.

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

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