BRV: 61ST UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: HIGH-LEVEL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 002799 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT PASS TO IO/UNP (HARRIS) USUN FOR OLSON NSC FOR WILLIAMS-MANIGAULT DEPT PASS TO WHA/PPC (YONEOKA AND DEACON) HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER DEPT PASS TO USOAS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2026 TAGS: PREL OTRA OVIP KSEP UNGA VE SUBJECT: BRV: 61ST UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE REF: A. CARACAS 2132 ¶B. STATE 112656 CARACAS 00002799 001.3 OF 002 Classified By: Robert Downes, Political Counselor, for Reason 1.4(d). ¶1. (C) As of 12 September, Post's Consular Diplomatic Window has received 213 applications for visas to travel to the 61st UN General Assembly. The 213 applications can be broken down as follows: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 42; Ministry of Defense, 138; Ministry of Communications, 32; and Ministry of Justice, 1. President Chavez and other senior members of the delegation are expected to travel first to Havana to attend the Non-Aligned Movement Summit and proceed directly to New York from Cuba. ¶2. (C) Recently replaced MFA Vice Minister for North American Affairs MariPili Hernandez was issued a visa, but has told ConAsst that she will not be part of the traveling delegation. Since the visa was issued to her as Vice Foreign Minister, Post canceled that visa without prejudice. Hernandez's replacement, outgoing OAS Ambassador Valero, is believed to be intending to travel, but Post has not received a visa application from him. The BRV delegation includes two Cabinet Ministers, three DISIP inspectors, the Presidential Secretary, one of Chavez's children, a grandchild and nanny, SIPDIS and Chavez's personal staff members, numbering about a dozen. Of the nearly 200 applicants, all visas have been or are likely to be granted, save seven cases that required or will require Security Advisory Opinions (SAO) from the Department prior to issuance. Those SAOs include individuals with significant ties to Cuba and individuals with known visa ineligibilities. ¶3. (C) The 200-strong delegation marks a significant increase over the last two years. In 2005, the BRV delegation consisted of approximately 120, while two years ago the delegation numbered less than 100. ¶4. (SBU) The following individual information is provided as requested in ref b: ¶A. Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias (dob: 28 July 1954),President. Diplomatic Note indicates travel from 11-21 September. Divorced. Accompanying children: Rosa Virginia Chavez Colmenares (06 September 1978),Manuel Alejandro Prieto Chavez (grandchild). ¶B. Not applicable. ¶C. Nicolas Maduro Moros (23 November 1962),Foreign Minister. Diplomatic Note indicates travel from 17-30 September. Not married. ¶D. Willian Rafael Lara (28 July 1959),Communications Minister. Diplomatic Note indicates travel from 18-21 September. No indication of spouse travel. Jorge Valero Briceno, Vice Minister for North American and Multilateral Affairs. No visa application received to date. Rodrigo Oswaldo Chaves Samudio (29 May 1962),Vice Minister for European Affairs. Diplomatic Note indicates travel from 18-22 September. No indication of spouse travel. Hely Vladimir Villegas Poljak (11 December 1961),Vice Minister for Middle Eastern Affairs. Diplomatic Note indicates travel from 16-26 September. No indication of spouse travel. Reinaldo Jose Bolivar (23 July 1965),Vice Minister for African Affairs. Diplomatic Note indicates travel from 12 September - 22 December (one-entry visa granted). No indication of spouse travel. Adan Coromoto havez Frias (11 April 1953),Secretariat of the residency, Brother of President Chavez. Diplomati Note indicates travel 11-21 September. No indiation of spouse CARACAS 00002799 002.3 OF 002 travel. Rene Alberto Arreaza Villalba (14 April 1948),Vice President's Chief of Staff. Diplomatic Note indicates travel 16-23 September. Wife: Rebeca Escalante de Arreaza (09 March 1947). ¶E. Ilenia Rosa Medina Carrasco (29 March 1955),Director for Multilateral Affairs. Diplomatic Note indicates travel 08 September - 17 October. No indication of spouse travel. Lesbia Yaneth Arocha Rivas (28 July 1968),Office Director for the Vice Ministry of North American and Multilateral Affairs. Diplomatic Note indicates travel 16 September - 15 October. Not married. WHITAKER