THE OUTSIDERS: BRV RECRUITMENT OF ROGUE STATES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 002829

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL VE
SUBJECT: THE OUTSIDERS: BRV RECRUITMENT OF ROGUE STATES


CARACAS 00002829 001.3 OF 002


Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT R. DOWNES FOR 1.4 (D)

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Summary
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1. (C) President Chavez' September 5-7 meeting with
Belarussian government officials provides another example of
the BRV's strategic partnerships with the most troublesome of
bedfellows. In part through his extensive international
travel schedule, Chavez has strengthened ties around the
globe to increase his international stature and to campaign
for UNSC votes through petroleum deals and other agreements.
However, an agenda item of at least equal importance has been
the recruitment of controversial partners - such as Syria,
Iran and other fringe states - for his "revolution." While
effectively spreading anti-US rhetoric to nations who hardly
need the encouragement, Venezuela anchors much of its
bilateral diplomacy in forging mutual crusades against the
"American empire." End Summary.

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Rallying the Troops
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2. (SBU) During Belarus' and Venezuela's First Meeting of the
High-Level Joint Commission, held in Caracas September 5-7,
President Chavez and other top BRV officials met with a
Belarussian delegation headed by State Secretary of the
Security Council Viktor Sheiman. The Commission, proposed
during Chavez' visit to Minsk in July, arrived at 23
bilateral cooperation agreements ranging from matters of
defense, energy, agriculture, trade to technology. In
addition, Sheiman announced Belarus' support for Venezuela's
UNSC bid. While the formation of technical and diplomatic
agreements formed the substance of the meetings, President
Chavez used the opportunity to further demonstrate the BRV's
ability at courting rogue nations for U.S.-bashing. During
both the committee's opening and closing statements, Chavez
used his floor time to condemn American hegemony and promote
a "new world order" rather than to focus on the nuts and
bolts of Belarussian-Venezuelan relations.


3. (SBU) Similarly, during a visit to Syria in late August,
Chavez and President al-Asad signed multiple bilateral
agreements covering the standard topics of cooperation -
petroleum, agriculture, commerce, etc. As with Venezuela's
discussions with Belarus, these agreements appeared secondary
to joint Syrian-Venezuelan anti-U.S. rhetoric. Echoing
standard Chavez-speak, the two heads of state reiterated
their determination to fight hegemony and US imperialism.
Al-Asad expressed his concern for US aggression towards
Venezuela and announced that Syria would vote in favor of
Venezuela's bid for a UNSC seat. Akin to Chavez' agreement
with Belarus to form a joint commission, Venezuela and Syria
also expressed plans to create a high-level committee to
facilitate future cooperation.


4. (SBU) To further display his willingness to call on
worrisome world leaders, President Chavez visited Teheran in
late July. When not signing accords with President
Ahmadinejad, he took the time to call upon his Iranian
audience to assist in bringing down the US empire in order to
save the human race. Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad
will visit Venezuela beginning September 16.


5. (SBU) In an example of the success of his campaign to gain
support from nations oftentimes in disagreement with U.S.
policy, President Chavez announced September 11 that the Arab
League - 22 countries in all -- had voted to support
Venezuela in its bid for a non-permanent seat in the UNSC.
Venezuela holds observer nation status in the League.


6. (SBU) Chavez is currently participating in the Non-Aligned
Movement (NAM) summit in Havana September 12-16. Venezuela,
reportedly supported by Iran, Belarus, Syria and others,
hopes to insert in the summit an expression of concern for
the United States' "destabilizing" actions in Venezuela.
Finally, creating yet another opportunity for Venezuela to
work closely with countries of interest to the United States,
Iran will assume the presidency of the Group of 15 - of which
Venezuela is a member - during meetings concurrent with the
NAM summit.

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CARACAS 00002829 002.3 OF 002


Comment
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7. (C) Chavez has made great efforts to win over like-minded
pals around the world, the majority of which already have
their own motivations for opposing the United States. His
campaign is winning him some rhetorical support from
countries like these. What is not clear at this point is
whether opposition to U.S. policies is a sufficient unifying
force for the global movement Chavez aspires to lead, or
whether Chavez would be the gentleman to assume such a role.
For now, his strident, all-encompassing opposition to all
things American -- as well as his fat and open checkbook --
are winning him friends in unusual places.

WHITAKER