EU ON VENEZUELA'S WEAPONS ACQUISITIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000837 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2015 TAGS: PGOV PTER PREL VE CO EUN USEU BRUSSELS SUBJECT: EU ON VENEZUELA'S WEAPONS ACQUISITIONS REF: A. A) STATE 25063 ¶B. B) THE HAGUE 540 ¶C. C) LONDON 1753 ¶D. D) ROME 619 Classified By: USEU POLOFF TODD HUIZINGA, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) (C) Nicolas Pascual de la Parte (protect) of the EU Council Policy Unit stressed that he shared our concerns (ref A) on Chavez,s regional intrigues and his intention to buy Russian AK-47s and helicopters. That said, Pascual added that the GOV had told European officials that the GOV had to buy the Russian helicopters for border security because the U.S. was "obstructing8 GOV attempts to get needed spare parts for the aircraft the GOV had been using for border patrols. Pascual characterized this claim as &believable.8 Pascual stressed the EU Council,s interest in helping prevent regional destabilization, and said the EU could consider supporting U.S. measures in the region or U.S. approaches to Moscow if Venezuelan activities continue along the current lines. MCKINLEY .