Cablegate: Colombia Bullish On Wirec 2008, Requests Spot On

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UNCLAS BOGOTA 007581

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

OES FOR WIREC ACTION GROUP LEADER STAN SPECHT AND SPECIAL
ASSISTANT CAMILLE HILL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG EAID EPET SENV SOCI TRGY KPAO KSCA EAGR
CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA BULLISH ON WIREC 2008, REQUESTS SPOT ON
AGENDA

REF: STATE 138428

1. This is an action cable. See para. 4.

2. Post delivered reftel demarche on the Washington
International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC) separately
to Minister of Mines and Energy Hernan Martinez, Ministry of
External Relations (MRE) Director for Multilateral Economic,
Social, and Environmental Issues Maria Alban Duran, and
Ministry of Environment Director for International Relations
Ana Maria Hernandez. Post also presented WIREC 2008
information to officials at the Ministry of Agriculture.

3. Minister Martinez, Director Alban and Director Hernandez
all enthusiastically welcomed the initiative and expressed
strong GOC interest in participating. Minister Martinez said
he would be interested personally in attending, and requested
a speaking slot at the conference to address Colombia's
experience in sustainable biofuels. Director Alban said the
GOC would coordinate internally on identifying a Colombian
delegation, and suggested that it would include the Ministers
of Energy, Agriculture, and Environment or their designates.
She emphasized that all three ministries as well as the MRE
were giving renewable energy issues, particularly biofuels,
high priority. Alban promised to advise Post as soon as a
more detailed response was available.

4. Action Request: Post requests a response to GOC interest
in placing Minister Martinez on the WIREC agenda in order to
present Colombia's biofuels initiative. Colombia has an
aggressive policy of expanded biofuels use that includes
mandated inclusion of sugarcane ethanol and palm oil
biodiesel in its fuel mix. Post supports GOC efforts to be
included on the agenda of the conference. End Action
Request.
Brownfield

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