Cablegate: Gom Enthusiastic About U.S.-Bolivia Talks

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RR RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM
DE RUEHME #3364 3311959
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 271959Z NOV 09 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9194
INFO RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RHMFIUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQS USNORTHCOM

UNCLAS MEXICO 003364

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

PASS TO WHA/AND AND INR/WHA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MX PGOV PINR PREL BO
SUBJECT: GOM ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT U.S.-BOLIVIA TALKS

REF: STATE 114036

1. Poloff delivered reftel demarche November 23 to Raphael
Bernal, Director for South America, emphasizing that USG
views the new Framework Agreement concluded October 27-28 as
the opening of a more collaborative relationship with the
Bolivian Government. Cuevas expressed appreciation for the
USG's efforts and for Post's willingness to share these
developments with the Mexican Government. He underscored
that, even as the U.S. worked to improve relations over the
last six months, President Morales has continued to make
inflammatory statements regarding the USG. Bernal and Poloff
agreed that Morales primarily intended to use such rhetoric
to retain loyalty within his internal constituency. Bernal
encouraged the USG not to take the language seriously or
allow it to break down the bilateral talks.
2. Bernal noted that Mexico has periodic bilateral talks
with Bolivia on counternarcotic issues. These discussions
have not been held since 2007 due to political complications
in both countries; the next in the series should take place
early next year. The GOM also holds similar talks with
Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and most countries in the hemisphere.
With Colombia, the GOM has met yearly since 2007.
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 /
PASCUAL

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