FRENCH ON CHAVEZ VISIT TO PARIS

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 007124

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2015
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV FR VE
SUBJECT: FRENCH ON CHAVEZ VISIT TO PARIS

REF: STATE 186100

Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) PolOff discussed reftel points with MFA Venezuela
Desk Officer Lionel Paradisi on October 17 following an
October 7 meeting on Venezuela that included MFA WHA
A/S-equivalent Daniel Parfait, DAS-equivalent Michel Pinard,
and Paradisi (septel). The GoF confirmed that Chavez will
visit Paris, arriving either late October 18 or early October
19, and will depart October 20. Chavez's visit includes
meetings with the Prime Minister, the President, and MEDEF
(Movement of French Enterprises),France's employers'
association.


2. (C) Both Parfait and Pinard pledged the GoF would deliver
a strong message urging Chavez to proceed with prudence and
moderation, and to caution him about the effect property
expropriations could have on his reputation overseas and on
foreign investment. Pinard said that the GoF would counsel
Chavez to use oil largesse for improving the lot of the poor
and the infrastructure of the country rather than for funding
campaigns such as that of Evo Morales in Bolivia. He also
promised that France would caution Chavez about his links to
countries such as Cuba and Iran, indicating the latter would
certainly come up as a result of French participation in the
EU3 effort.


3. (C) According to Paradisi, French assistance to Venezuela
is limited to cooperation in cultural, education, and
scientific areas. The GoF supports sending EU observers to
Venezuela for the December 4 elections, provided they are
given assurances they will be able to freely conduct their
work. MFA contacts will meet with Venezuelan NGO Sumate
October 18, before the Chavez visit. The GoF has promised a
readout of the visit after its completion.


4. (C) COMMENT: Although claiming to share our concerns and
seemingly alarmed by possible regional instability, the GoF
has determined that Chavez is likely to remain in power for
the foreseeable future and has thus chosen engagement over
open confrontation. The GoF downplays the threat posed by
recent Venezuelan arms and military purchases and view the
human rights situation in Venezuela as better than in many
other countries -- specifically Colombia. It is our view
that the GoF may confront Chavez about meddling in the
affairs of neighboring countries and his overtures to Iran,
but it is unlikely that its message on human rights will be
particularly hard hitting. END COMMENT.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON