CANADA: ENGAGING ON VENEZUELA AT ECUADORAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 000126

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/13/2013
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PREL VE
SUBJECT: CANADA: ENGAGING ON VENEZUELA AT ECUADORAN
INAUGURATION

REF: SECSTATE 8579

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Brian Flora for reasons 1.5
(b) and (d).


1. (C) Post delivered reftel demarche to Jose Herran-Lima,
Director of DFAIT's South American Division, and Renata
Wielgosz, DFAIT's Inter-American Affairs Division Director,
on January 10. Wielgosz indicated Canada is very interested
in joining in discussions concerning Venezuela on the margins
of the presidential inauguration in Ecuador, and that Canada
also wants to participate in the "Friends of Venezuela" group
being organized by Brazil. The reftel talking points will be
given to the members of Canada's delegation, Senator Daniel
Hayes and Ambassador to the OAS Paul Durand.


2. (C) Canada agrees that any "Friends of Venezuela" group
that is organized should be limited to OAS member states. Dr.
Wielgosz voiced some reservations about the composition of
the OAS group suggested in reftel - the U.S., Mexico, Brazil,
Canada and Chile. She believes the group should include Peru,
and one of the Caribbean nations. For such a group to have
any effect, she emphasized, it must be one that Secretary
General Gavira feels comfortable with.
CELLUCCI