Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06CARACAS211
2006-01-30 16:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:
US SUPPORT REQUESTED FOR VENEZUELAN DISASTER
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 000211
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
FOR FRC LAMBERT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2021
TAGS: PGOV MASS VE
SUBJECT: US SUPPORT REQUESTED FOR VENEZUELAN DISASTER
MANAGEMENT
CARACAS 00000211 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT R. DOWNES FOR 1.4 (D)
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ALL POSTS PLEASE ZFR CARACAS 00211 .
IT WAS SENT IN ERROR AND A CORRECTED COPY WILL BE
TRANSMITTED.
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CARACAS 00000211 002 OF 002
-- The offer would reinforce Post's public diplomacy. US
public statements cannot counter all of the President Hugo
Chavez' outrageous accusations against the United States.
USG assistance in facilitating Venezuela's response to
emergencies, however, would help undercut Chavez' repeated
claims that the USG is plotting to invade Venezuela.
¶4. (C) The risks of funding such a project are minimal.
Although PC falls institutionally under the interior
ministry, the equipment to be provided would be of little use
for monitoring the domestic opposition. According to PC's
proposal, the operations center is requesting projectors,
screens, digital chalkboards, audio-visual equipment,
computers, and computer accessories. Luis Diaz, an
anti-Chavez PC deputy director, told poloff January 12 that
the equipment could not be used for nefarious ends and
stressed its importance for monitoring highway crashes and
other incidents in real time.
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We Win If They Refuse
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¶5. (C) Given its record, the GOV may refuse the assistance.
Not only did the GOV refuse U.S. help in the Vargas
disaster, but it also failed to respond to requests for U.S.
Air Force WC-130 aircraft to track hurricanes over Venezuelan
airspace in 2005. An ardent Chavez supporter, PC national
director Rivero has been communicating with MILGROUP through
intermediaries, presumably so he can avoid association with
U.S. officials.
¶6. (C) A refusal, however, would play to Washington's
advantage. The GOV would appear to be frustrating disaster
recovery efforts as its own efforts are exposed as
insufficient. The USG would appear to be only trying to
help.
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Comment
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¶7. (C) Again, this is a win-win proposal for the U.S.
Government. Post's public affairs section could publicize
the assistance with some fanfare. It could also easily leak
any GOV refusal.
BROWNFIELD