CZECH RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON VENEZUELA

UNCLAS PRAGUE 001005 SIPDIS SENSITIVE FOR EUR/ERA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV EZ PV SUBJECT: CZECH RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON VENEZUELA REF: STATE 117165 ¶1. (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified - not for internet distribution. ¶2. (SBU) On June 29, Acting DCM discussed ref A demarche on Venezuela with Edita Hrda, Director of the Americas Department at the MFA. Hrda informed us Venezuelan President Chavez will not be traveling to the Czech Republic anytime in the near future. She added that Chavez had indicated more than once his interest in an official visit to Prague. The GOCR shares the United States' view of Venezuela, classing it with Cuba as a "non-democratic country." Hrda informed us that FM Svoboda would be departing next week for a Latin American tour, visiting Columbia, Guatemala, and Paraguay. Visit Prague's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/prague/index. cfm CABANISS