DEMARCHE DELIVERED: DEFEATING VENEZUELA IN THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRIDGETOWN 000455

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STATE FOR IO/UNP BHARRIS, WHA/PPC RYONEOKA, AND WHA/CAR
PASS TO WHAC COLLECTIVE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2016
TAGS: PREL UNSC GT VE UN XL
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: DEFEATING VENEZUELA IN THE
2006 ELECTION FOR NON-PERMANENT SEAT ON THE UN SECURITY
COUNCIL

REF: STATE 27055

Classified By: DCM Mary Ellen T. Gilroy for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Post delivered reftel talking points regarding the
competing Venezuelan and Guatemalan candidacies for a
non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council to the MFAs of
Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts
and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Of
the seven Eastern Caribbean countries, only the Government of
St. Vincent (GOSV) has already made a decision on the matter,
informing us that it has pledged its support to Venezuela.
MFA Permanent Secretary Patricia Martin cited the GOSV's
strong ties to Venezuela and the aid received through the
PetroCaribe oil accord as factors that led to this decision.
MFA officials from Barbados, Dominica, and Grenada said that
their governments are presently considering the matter.
Antigua, St. Kitts, and St. Lucia have not offered responses
to the demarche.


2. (C) The UNSC candidacies will be discussed at the upcoming
CARICOM meeting in April, according to Barbados MFA Permanent
Secretary Teresa Marshall. While Barbados has yet to reach a

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decision on the matter, the PermSec responded negatively to
Guatemala's candidacy, citing its unhelpful stance in a
border dispute with CARICOM member Belize. Marshall
explained that CARICOM member-states reiterate their support
for Belize in this ongoing dispute at each of the
organization's meetings.
KRAMER