EU NONCOMMITTAL ON SPEAKING OUT RE VENEZUELA

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 004516

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM EAID VE EUN USEU BRUSSELS
SUBJECT: EU NONCOMMITTAL ON SPEAKING OUT RE VENEZUELA

REF: A. A) STATE 223273


B. B) THE HAGUE 2704

Classified By: USEU POLOFF TODD HUIZINGA, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (U) This is an action recommendation -- see para 3.


2. (C) Poloff delivered reftel A points on October 19 to
David Bruck, Venezuela Desk Officer in the External Relations
Directorate-General of the European Commission. He said the
Commission is monitoring developments in Venezuela very
carefully, and shares U.S. concerns about the three steps the
GOV is poised to take. Later, Bruck called to report that
the Dutch EU Presidency, at the October 19 meeting of the EU
Working Group on Latin America (COLAT),had told of having
received reftel demarche (ref B). The Dutch drew the
attention of the COLAT to the issues of concern, and decided
to task EU Heads of Mission (HOMs) in Caracas to "investigate
further" and report back to capitals before the next COLAT on
November 16. Bruck said there was no discussion of the
urgency of issuing a joint EU statement in time to have a
positive impact, and he opined that it would be difficult for
the EU to decide on a course of action before November 16.


3. (C) ACTION RECOMMENDATION: EU HOMs in Caracas could help,
if they share our sense of urgency. Department may want to
consider approaching them directly to urge them to
communicate to their capitals the need for quick action. END
ACTION RECOMMENDATION.

SCHNABEL