AMBASSADOR'S PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS TO FM

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 003116

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV VE
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS TO FM

REF: STATE 213121

Classified By: Ambassador Brownfield. REASON 1.5 (B)


1. (U) Ambassador, accompanied by DCM, presented copies of
his credentials to Foreign Minister Perez late afternoon Oct.

1. Perez was accompanied by Chief of Staff Jesus Avancini
and a MFA notetaker Pulido. Ambassador was the last of
several ambassadors who presented credentials to the FM that
afternoon. Perez had returned from the U.S. (UN and OAS) the
day before.


2. (C) After 15 minutes of pleasantries (Texas, Barinas,
Venezuelan rodeo),Ambassador worked through reftel (notal)
talking points, emphasizing:

- USG would not back off our fundamental principles, but
we could adjust the tone and volume of our dialogue if they
did as well;
- We had a list of issues requiring attention; we assumed
they had their own list;
- We were not going to solve bilateral issues by starting
at the top; senior government meetings would come at the end,
not the beginning;
- If we were going to make progress, we needed channels
of communication, particularly at working levels; we would
continue to reach out to GOV to try to address bilateral
issues.

Following two cell phone interruptions from the President,
Perez said he agreed with the step by step approach. He
wanted an improved bilateral relationship.


3. (U) Following meeting, FM and Ambassador met with the
press outside his office. Ambassador noted he had presented
credentials, and discussed how 190 years of bilateral
relations gave us a good starting point to address issues of
democracy, prosperity, and security. Press asked Ambassador
whether USG was willing to improve relations with the GOV.
Ambassador said we were willing to explore improved relations
on both bilateral and regional issues.
Brownfield


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2004CARACA03116 - CONFIDENTIAL