VENEZUELA/NETHERLANDS/EU: EU PESSIMISTIC BUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 003005

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM VE NL EUN
SUBJECT: VENEZUELA/NETHERLANDS/EU: EU PESSIMISTIC BUT
INCONCLUSIVE

REF: A. A) BRUSSELS 4661

B. B) STATE 223273

Classified By: Pol Counselor Andrew Schofer for reasons 1.4 (b/d)

(C) Dutch desk officer for South America Dimitri Vogelaar
told poloff November 17 that EU participants at the November
16 COLAT meeting reached agreement on the analysis presented
by EU Heads of Mission (HOMs) in Caracas, but that concrete
actions would not be discussed until December. According to
Vogelaar, the HOMs report painted a pessimistic political and
economic picture: it described a serious lack of democratic
values in Venezuelan society, an institutional politicization
of the judiciary, an opposition failing to address basic
societal needs including poverty reduction and sustainable
development, a macroeconomic dependence on oil, and an
unsustainable business environment. Vogelaar noted that
participants were relieved about the postponement of the
Sumate hearing, which they felt continued to constitute a
"worrisome development," but they did not reach agreement on
the appropriate manner in which to address the issue -- some
members favored a troika demarche on the GOV while others
favored issuing "another" declaration. Reaching agreement on
the situation's analysis, but lacking consensus for a way
forward, EU Heads of Mission were asked to present concrete
recommendations at the next COLAT meeting to be held December

14.
SOBEL