Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04CARACAS3826
2004-12-10 21:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:  

CHAVEZ'S ANTI-IMPERIALIST MISSIONARY JOURNEY

Tags:  PREL PHUM ECON VE SP RS IR QA 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 003826 

SIPDIS


NSC FOR CBARTON
USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD
STATE PASS USAID FOR DCHA/OTI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2014
TAGS: PREL PHUM ECON VE SP RS IR QA
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ'S ANTI-IMPERIALIST MISSIONARY JOURNEY

REF: CARACAS 3639

Classified By: Stephen G. McFarland, Deputy Chief of Mission,
for Reasons 1.4(b).

-------
Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 003826

SIPDIS


NSC FOR CBARTON
USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD
STATE PASS USAID FOR DCHA/OTI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2014
TAGS: PREL PHUM ECON VE SP RS IR QA
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ'S ANTI-IMPERIALIST MISSIONARY JOURNEY

REF: CARACAS 3639

Classified By: Stephen G. McFarland, Deputy Chief of Mission,
for Reasons 1.4(b).

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) President Hugo Chavez visited Spain, Libya, Russia,
Iran, and Qatar during November 23-30 as part of what GOV
officials called an "international offensive" to promote the
new phase of the Bolivarian Revolution. In Spain, Chavez
capitalized on Foreign Minister Moratino's assertion that the
Aznar administration supported the April 2002 coup against
Chavez. In Libya, Muammar Qadhafi awarded Chavez a human
rights award. In Russia, Chavez told reporters of plans to
purchase Russian weapons and other military equipment "to
confront any aggression." He also accused the United Sates
of "having its hands" in the electoral crisis in Ukraine. In
Iran, President Ali Khatami praised Chavez for carrying out a
revolution without violence and for resisting unilateralism
in international affairs. End summary.

--------------
Chavez Meets World
--------------


2. (C) President Hugo Chavez's trip to five countries was
billed by the GOV as a chance to generate new commercial
deals and to share Chavez's visions of a "multipolar world."
Chavez visited Spain (11/22-23),Libya (11/24),Russia
(11/25-26),Iran (11/27-29),and Qatar (11/30),a 50,000-mile
tour that Chavez claimed marked a new era in Venezuelan
diplomacy. At each stop, Chavez touted his August 15
"re-legitimation" in the recall vote, denounced U.S.
coup-plotting and imperialism, and called for a worldwide
movement of "popular democracy." Traveling with Chavez
during all or parts of the trip were Foreign Minister Ali
Rodriguez, Minister of Defense Gen. Jorge Garcia Carneiro,
Minister of Commerce and Production Wilmar Castro, Minister
of Communications Andres Izarra, and Minister of Agriculture
Arnoldo Marquez.

-------------- --------------
Spain: All Is Forgiven, And There Is Much To Forgive
-------------- --------------


3. (U) Chavez arrived in the wake of Spanish Foreign Minister

Miguel Angel Moratinos' assertion a few days earlier that the
administration of Jose Maria Aznar had supported the
temporary ousting of Chavez during April 2002. Chavez
dismissed it as water under the bridge, but added that he has
no doubts Moratinos' comments are true. Chavez claimed that
when the government of Pedro Carmona was briefly installed
during his absence, "the Spanish Ambassador in Caracas was
the only ambassador, together with U.S. Ambassador, to
recognize the tyrant." Aznar's Partido Popular rebuked
Chavez for overstepping his bounds during a diplomatic visit.
Chavez later told a group of union leaders that if the U.S.
were to act militarily against Venezuela, not only
Venezuelans but millions of Latin Americans would rebel
against it.


4. (U) During the visit to Spain, Chavez proposed the
formation of a "Revolutionary Democratic International"
similar to the Socialist International. He said workers must
free themselves from partisan connections and work toward
"social justice." Chavez proposed a binational fund to help
solve the debt problems of Latin American countries. Chavez
also brought a delegation of businessmen, including some from
the opposition, according to press reports, for commercial
events with the Spanish private sector. He highlighted
investment opportunities in the Venezuelan oil sector as well
as ongoing projects undertaken by the Spanish oil company
Repsol. Chavez, however, failed to show at a scheduled event
at Spanish business confederation. According to press
reports, many disgusted Spanish businessmen walked out rather
than listen to his substitute, Trade Minister Castro.
(Chavez later dined with King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia
on November 30, which Chavez described as the "broche de oro"
("cherry on the sundae") of his trip.)

--------------
Libya: Dr. Chavez Wins Qadhafi Prize
--------------


5. (U) In Libya, Chavez received the Muammar Qadhafi Prize
for Human Rights for his "tireless fight for liberty,
justice, and the economic and political emancipation of his
people and of all of Latin America." (Previous winners from
Latin America include Fidel Castro and Evo Morales.) Former
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega presented the award to
Chavez, according to GOV press. Chavez dedicated his award
to the memory of deceased Palestinian leader Yassir Arafat
and slain Venezuelan prosecutor Danilo Anderson. Chavez also
received an honorary doctorate from the "Academy of Popular
Thought," which is the first such award granted to a head of
state, according to official Libyan media. Chavez did not
divulge the details of his two meetings with Qadhafi, but
praised the Libyan leader as a "friend and brother" who
shares his thesis regarding the development of institutions
to help the poor.

--------------
Russia: Bullets, Ballots, and Barrels
--------------


6. (U) After a working lunch with Russian President Vladimir
Putin, Chavez told reporters that Venezuela is modernizing
and strengthening its armed forces to "confront any
aggression." He added that the GOV is in discussion with the
GOR to purchase 40 helicopters, 100,000 automatic weapons,
and a "large quantity of anti-tank and air defense weapons."
Speaking about the Ukrainian electoral crisis, Chavez said
one can feel the hand of Washington behind it... If there
were elections on the moon or Mars, the United States would
be there." Chavez signed a joint declaration with Putin on a
range of bilateral and multilateral issues. The declaration
included a Russian congratulations to Chavez for winning the
recall referendum in an atmosphere of complete respect for
the constitution, and with the endorsement of "prestigious
international observers."


7. (U) During a petroleum event in Russia, Chavez said the
current OPEC price band of USD22-28 is no longer feasible,
suggesting a new floor of USD30/bbl. Venezuela state oil
company PDVSA also reportedly signed a memo of understanding
with Lukoil for increased cooperation in oil exploration and
refinery. Chavez told Russian oil firms they would be
welcome to come and invest in Venezuela. International press
reports said the two leaders also signed an agreement
supporting Russia's accession to the WTO.

--------------
Iran: Standing Against Unilateralism
--------------


8. (U) In his meeting with Iranian President Mohammad
Khatami, Chavez extolled the Iranian Revolution, which had in
30 years a technological, social and political leap, "just at
the Chinese did, and just as we are just beginning to do."
Khatami praised Chavez for carrying out a revolution that
relies on people rather than military or force, according to
press reports. Khatami said he shared Chavez's position of
opposing unilateralism in the international community.


9. (U) Chavez said one of the most notable achievements of
this his fourth trip to Iran is that Venezuelan para-statal
industrial corporation CVG and an Iranian state enterprise
would enter into a joint venture under which Iranian tractor
components would be assembled in Venezuela. Chavez also said
the GOV had agreed to buy 486 tractors direct from Iran that
will be financed by PDVSA. Chavez hoped to acquire Iranian
technology for irrigation systems as well. The two also
agreed to cooperation in communications which would have the
Iranians assisting with the installation of "TVSUR," Chavez's
proposal for a South American television station. Iran will
also help Venezuela improve its domestic production of
television programming. On petroleum, Foreign Minister
Rodriguez said he plans to have several meetings with GOI
officials in December to finalize an agreement on
petrochemicals.

--------------
Comment
--------------


10. (C) We think Chavez's goals were:

-- showcase Venezuela's ability to deal with a broad swath of
countries and leaders, building on post-referendum momentum;
-- burnish Chavez's credentials as an independent who can
challenge the U.S. and represent the oppressed; and
-- advance various energy, commercial, and arms deals.


11. (C) How he did:

-- In Spain, Fonmin Moratinos criticized the Aznar government
and the USG for supporting the 2002 coup. His rapprochement
with Spain may prove important as the EU assesses its policy
toward Venezuela and Cuba.

-- In Russia, he completed commercial deals and pushed oil
investment.

-- In Libya, he came off rather foolish as he accepted the
Gaddafi human rights prize.

-- In Iran and Qatar, he apparently continued oil, gas, and
other commercial cooperation.

-- Throughout the trip, Chavez ripped into the USG, choosing
themes (need for multi-polarity etc.) that would resonate
with the audience and that would boost Chavez's leadership
and his vision for a hemisphere with reduced U.S. influence
and participation.
Brownfield


NOTE: POSSIBLE INCORRECT REFTEL COUNTRY TAGS FOR
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2004CARACA03826 - CONFIDENTIAL