Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06CARACAS1104
2006-04-26 13:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:
HAITI'S PRESIDENT-ELECT MAKES BRIEF VISIT TO
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 001104
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM FOR POLAD
DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER
FRC FT LAUDERDALE FOR CLAMBERT
COPENHAGEN FOR DLAWTON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM VE
SUBJECT: HAITI'S PRESIDENT-ELECT MAKES BRIEF VISIT TO
VENEZUELA
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert Downes for reasons 1.4 (d).
------
SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 001104
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM FOR POLAD
DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER
FRC FT LAUDERDALE FOR CLAMBERT
COPENHAGEN FOR DLAWTON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM VE
SUBJECT: HAITI'S PRESIDENT-ELECT MAKES BRIEF VISIT TO
VENEZUELA
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert Downes for reasons 1.4 (d).
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (U) Haiti's President-elect Rene Preval arrived in
Caracas April 24 for a brief bilateral meeting with
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, which included discussions
on energy and implementing effective strategies for improving
the country's social conditions. During a joint press
conference from Miraflores, Chavez and Preval announced Haiti
would officially be incorporated into the PetroCaribe
organization on May 12 during a ceremony in Port au Prince.
In advance of the official signing ceremony, which Vice
President Jose Vicente Rangel is expected to attend,
Petroleos de Venzuela (PDVSA) officials plan to travel to
Haiti on May 2. Preval lamented that although he did not
possess Chavez great elocution skills, he was eager to
implement an Alo President-style broadcast in Haiti. End
Summary.
2. (U) During the Chavez-Preval press conference, local
media sources solicited questions regarding the BRV,s
decision to sever ties with the Andean Community of Nations
(CAN). Chavez said his government would not reconsider its
decision unless the governments of Peru and Colombia
reconsidered free trade agreements with the United States.
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said April 24 his government
would not suspend agreements with the "world's largest
market", calling Chavez' April 24 ultimatum unfair.
-------------- --
ENERGY, SOCIAL PROGRAMS, AND CREDIT TO THE POOR
-------------- --
3. (U) On April 24, Chavez and Preval, spent the afternoon
in private, bilateral meetings at Miraflores, discussing
energy agreements, and initiatives to improve overall living
conditions in Haiti. In an effort to stimulate economic and
social development in Haiti, Chavez said the two countries
would cooperate with Cuba to establish social "missions" in
the areas of public health and education, and that
Venezuela's Bank of Social and Economic Development (Bandes)
would sign an agreement with Haiti's state-operated bank,
allowing the country's financial institutions to extend
credit to the poor. The BRV also agreed to follow through on
a donation of diesel fuel, offered months ago, to local
hospitals and schools. Preval told local media sources that
a group of Venezuelan and Cuban specialists are expected to
visit Haiti in coming months to develop an effective
reconstruction plan for the country's urban and rural
communities. To date, the BRV has provided no cost estimates
for its assistance the Haitian government.
4. (U) During a joint press conference on April 24, Chavez
announced Haiti would become PetroCaribe,s newest member.
Officials from both countries reportedly agreed to sign the
PetroCaribe agreement in Port au Prince on May 12,
corresponding with the date Preval is expected to assume the
Haitian presidency. Representatives from Petroleos de
Venezuela (PDVSA) will travel to Haiti on May 2 to prepare
for the official signing ceremony. Vice-President Jose
Vicente Rangel is expected to head the BRV,s delegation for
the event.
CARACAS 00001104 002 OF 002
--------------
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PREVAL
--------------
5. (U) Preval commented April 24 in Caracas that UN forces
would remain in Haiti until law enforcement and judicial
bodies had been strengthened. The government, he added, had
a responsibility to maintain security and it would be
irresponsible to call for an immediate withdrawal of UN
troops, considering Haiti's current political situation.
6. (U) Regarding Chavez, weekly Alo Presidente broadcasts,
Haiti's president-elect said April 24 although he didn't
possess Chavez, elocution skills, he was eager to implement
an Alo President-style broadcast in Haiti.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
7. (C) Chavez, attempts to court potential allies are a
common phenomenon that is likely to continue and strengthen
as the elections for the UN Security Council draw near.
There are no shortages of Latin American, Caribbean, and
African countries eager to cash in on the BRV,s
"generosity", and significant oil receipts resulting from
record-high petroleum prices should enable Chavez to continue
to try and buy friends around the globe; even if there are no
real assurances that he'll ever receive a return on his
investments. Since stroking Chavez' ego seems to be the
principal prerequisite for obtaining preferential oil
agreements, and humanitarian and development assistance, it
is probable that these countries, leaders will continue to
play poker with Chavez until the cash stops flowing.
However, Chavez' actions towards Haiti, given its extreme
vulnerability, may serve to increase the country's problems.
BROWNFIELD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM FOR POLAD
DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER
FRC FT LAUDERDALE FOR CLAMBERT
COPENHAGEN FOR DLAWTON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM VE
SUBJECT: HAITI'S PRESIDENT-ELECT MAKES BRIEF VISIT TO
VENEZUELA
Classified By: Political Counselor Robert Downes for reasons 1.4 (d).
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (U) Haiti's President-elect Rene Preval arrived in
Caracas April 24 for a brief bilateral meeting with
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, which included discussions
on energy and implementing effective strategies for improving
the country's social conditions. During a joint press
conference from Miraflores, Chavez and Preval announced Haiti
would officially be incorporated into the PetroCaribe
organization on May 12 during a ceremony in Port au Prince.
In advance of the official signing ceremony, which Vice
President Jose Vicente Rangel is expected to attend,
Petroleos de Venzuela (PDVSA) officials plan to travel to
Haiti on May 2. Preval lamented that although he did not
possess Chavez great elocution skills, he was eager to
implement an Alo President-style broadcast in Haiti. End
Summary.
2. (U) During the Chavez-Preval press conference, local
media sources solicited questions regarding the BRV,s
decision to sever ties with the Andean Community of Nations
(CAN). Chavez said his government would not reconsider its
decision unless the governments of Peru and Colombia
reconsidered free trade agreements with the United States.
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said April 24 his government
would not suspend agreements with the "world's largest
market", calling Chavez' April 24 ultimatum unfair.
-------------- --
ENERGY, SOCIAL PROGRAMS, AND CREDIT TO THE POOR
-------------- --
3. (U) On April 24, Chavez and Preval, spent the afternoon
in private, bilateral meetings at Miraflores, discussing
energy agreements, and initiatives to improve overall living
conditions in Haiti. In an effort to stimulate economic and
social development in Haiti, Chavez said the two countries
would cooperate with Cuba to establish social "missions" in
the areas of public health and education, and that
Venezuela's Bank of Social and Economic Development (Bandes)
would sign an agreement with Haiti's state-operated bank,
allowing the country's financial institutions to extend
credit to the poor. The BRV also agreed to follow through on
a donation of diesel fuel, offered months ago, to local
hospitals and schools. Preval told local media sources that
a group of Venezuelan and Cuban specialists are expected to
visit Haiti in coming months to develop an effective
reconstruction plan for the country's urban and rural
communities. To date, the BRV has provided no cost estimates
for its assistance the Haitian government.
4. (U) During a joint press conference on April 24, Chavez
announced Haiti would become PetroCaribe,s newest member.
Officials from both countries reportedly agreed to sign the
PetroCaribe agreement in Port au Prince on May 12,
corresponding with the date Preval is expected to assume the
Haitian presidency. Representatives from Petroleos de
Venezuela (PDVSA) will travel to Haiti on May 2 to prepare
for the official signing ceremony. Vice-President Jose
Vicente Rangel is expected to head the BRV,s delegation for
the event.
CARACAS 00001104 002 OF 002
--------------
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PREVAL
--------------
5. (U) Preval commented April 24 in Caracas that UN forces
would remain in Haiti until law enforcement and judicial
bodies had been strengthened. The government, he added, had
a responsibility to maintain security and it would be
irresponsible to call for an immediate withdrawal of UN
troops, considering Haiti's current political situation.
6. (U) Regarding Chavez, weekly Alo Presidente broadcasts,
Haiti's president-elect said April 24 although he didn't
possess Chavez, elocution skills, he was eager to implement
an Alo President-style broadcast in Haiti.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
7. (C) Chavez, attempts to court potential allies are a
common phenomenon that is likely to continue and strengthen
as the elections for the UN Security Council draw near.
There are no shortages of Latin American, Caribbean, and
African countries eager to cash in on the BRV,s
"generosity", and significant oil receipts resulting from
record-high petroleum prices should enable Chavez to continue
to try and buy friends around the globe; even if there are no
real assurances that he'll ever receive a return on his
investments. Since stroking Chavez' ego seems to be the
principal prerequisite for obtaining preferential oil
agreements, and humanitarian and development assistance, it
is probable that these countries, leaders will continue to
play poker with Chavez until the cash stops flowing.
However, Chavez' actions towards Haiti, given its extreme
vulnerability, may serve to increase the country's problems.
BROWNFIELD