BRV REQUESTS SUPPORT FOR ITU COUNCIL CANDIDACY

UNCLAS CARACAS 000614

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

CIP/BA FOR CHOLIDAY/MGORDON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS VE
SUBJECT: BRV REQUESTS SUPPORT FOR ITU COUNCIL CANDIDACY


1. (U) This is an action request. Post requests Department
guidance to respond to the BRV diplomatic note No. 269 in
para (2) dated January 25, 2006 requesting USG support
Venezuela's candidacy for re-election as a member of the
International Telecommunications Union council. A copy of
the note has been faxed to CIP/BA, attn: Cecily Holiday.


2. (U) Begin Text: (Unofficial Embassy Translation):

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of the Vice-Minister
for North America, Multilateral Affairs Management Office,
presents its compliments to the Honorable Embassy of the
United States of America and has the honor to inform that the
Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has
decided to present its candidacy for re-election as a member
of the International Telecommunications Union Council (UIT).
These elections will take place during the Plenipotentiary
Conference, in Analya, Turkey from November 15 through
November 24, 2006.

The International Telecommunications Union is the specialized
international organization of the United Nations in charge of
telecommunications regulation and planning worldwide. It
consists of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries (which is the
head body of the UIT and meets every four years); the
Council; the Radio Communications, Normalization, and
Development Sectors; and the General Secretariat. The
Council is composed of members of the UIT elected by the
Conference of Plenipotentiaries and acts as leader of the
Conference as limited by the faculties delegated by the
Conference itself.

Venezuela is currently a member of the Union Council, whose
mandate expires this year. It was also member of the UIT
during the periods 1965-1989 and 1999-2002.

Since the country resumed its participation in the Council in
1998, Venezuela, through its regulatory body in this area,
CONATEL (National Telecommunications Commission) has been
developing efforts aimed at maintaining an active presence in
this organization through constant attendance at meetings and
international fora sponsored by the UIT, as well as holding
meetings of different study groups of the UIT on Venezuelan
territory in order to encourage both the participation of
representatives from different countries of the region and
the dissemination of the information.

In addition, Venezuela holds the Vice-Presidency for the
American region at the Commission of Studies 1 in the
Development Sector, for the 2002-2006 period, fact that
implies recognition for the work done by the Venezuelan state.

A possible re-election would allow Venezuela to obtain
first-hand the most advanced information on what is happening
around the world and to fully participate in the
decision-making process of the UIT, since it is in the head
of the Council where the directives that guide the sector
according to what is established by the Conference of
Plenipotentiaries are decided and approved.

An eventual re-election in the UIT Council in addition to the
presence of the country as member of the Inter-American
Telecommunications Commission (CITEL),would place Venezuela
in the center of telecommunications worldwide, and would
contribute to the strengthening of those services in our
region by focusing efforts and negotiations in order to
complete common projects.

In line with the Venezuelan government and regarding the need
to promote a new multipolar system, Venezuela has developed
in the past few years efforts to achieve international
objectives in the area of telecommunications that will
eventually help in the process of positioning the country
internationally, and for this reason we consider it important
that Venezuela continue participating in the UIT in favor of
the strengthening of the Organization, which will benefit all
UIT members.

For that purpose, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will
greatly appreciate the valuable support that your
distinguished Government could grant the referenced national
candidacy, assuring that it will benefit the relations
between our countries and will contribute to the Council's
great work.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of the Vice Minister
for North America, Multilateral Affairs Management Office,
takes this opportunity to renew to the Honorable Embassy of
the United States of America, the assurances of its highest
consideration.

Caracas, January 25, 2006.
End Text.

WHITAKER