Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04PARIS5730
2004-08-02 16:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

FRENCH LABOR CONCERNED WITH VENEZUELA

Tags:  FR PREL VE ELAB 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

021607Z Aug 04

 
ACTION EUR-00 

INFO LOG-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00 WHA-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 
 INR-00 LAB-01 L-00 VCE-00 AC-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 
 OMB-00 PA-00 PM-00 PRS-00 ACE-00 P-00 SP-00 
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 ------------------49653B 021702Z /62 
FM AMEMBASSY PARIS
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4983
INFO AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 005730 

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2014
TAGS: FR PREL VE ELAB
SUBJECT: FRENCH LABOR CONCERNED WITH VENEZUELA


Classified By: POL M/C JOSIAH ROSENBLATT FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 005730

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2014
TAGS: FR PREL VE ELAB
SUBJECT: FRENCH LABOR CONCERNED WITH VENEZUELA


Classified By: POL M/C JOSIAH ROSENBLATT FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D


1. (SBU) Emboffs met July 23 at the unions' request with
Michele Simonnin, of the trade union Workers' Strength
(CGT-FO) and Philippe Selva of the General Confederation of
Workers (CGT),two of the three largest labor unions in
France, to discuss US foreign policy regarding Venezuela.
The labor representatives presented Laboff and Poloff with a
French translation of labor declarations from organizations
in Brazil and Peru critical of US "interference" in Venezuela
that seemed to have been specifically edited for their
meeting with Emboffs (faxed to WHA/AND). The labor
representatives opened by expressing concern for Venezuelan
sovereignty, and posing two questions: why had the U.S.
Congress been holding discussions on "internal Venezuelan
matters," and why was the USG (sic) financing the August 15
referendum?


2. (SBU) Poloffs clarified the first point by providing the
context of WHA A/S Roger Noriega's June 24 remarks to the
Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western
Hemisphere. Ms. Simonnin appeared to have been at least
marginally reassured to learn that A/S Noriega's remarks had
been made as part of the normal discussions that exist
between Department of State officials and the Congress
concerning U.S. foreign policy. Emboffs addressed the second
point by explaining the status of the National Endowment for
Democracy and its funding process, but the visitors remained
skeptical of NED motives. Poloffs reviewed USG policy,
noting multilateral support for OAS Resolution 833, our
desire to see an open and transparent referendum next month
and our support for OAS and Carter Center observers.


3. (SBU) In discussing USG policy, the labor representatives
seemed more focused on an ideal regarding Venezuelan
sovereignty than the complex realities of international
relations. They attempted to twist Emboffs' statements,
asking several times whether the USG considered the Chavez
government legitimate and questioning the degradation of
U.S.-Venezuelan relations. Emboffs explained USG policy, and
said the USG strives for good relations with Venezuela, as
evidenced by the encouraging tone of A/S Noriega's comments.


4. (C) Comment. The two union representatives genuinely
seemed to believe the USG had taken the first steps in a
scenario likely to lead to a military invasion of Venezuela
to protect the interests of U.S. oil companies and/or
consumers. They alluded to supposed indicators, e.g., "the
history of U.S. involvement in overthrowing democratically
elected Latin American governments," and "the invasion of
Iraq because of U.S. oil interests." Although the visitors
were pleased to have had a chance to present their concerns,
the force of their misconceptions was striking. End comment.
Wolff


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