DEMARCHE ON SUPPORTING US-INDIA CIVIL NUCLEAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000655 SIPDIS SIPDIS HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER FRC FT LAUDERDALE FOR CLAMBERT COPENHAGEN FOR DLAWTON E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2016 TAGS: PREL ENRG KSCA IN PARM KNNP ETTC SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON SUPPORTING US-INDIA CIVIL NUCLEAR COOPERATION INITIATIVE DELIVERED REF: A) STATE 34761 B) CARACAS 0458 Classified By: Political Counselor Robert Downes for reasons 1.4 (d). ¶1. (U) On March 9, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Third Secretary for North America, Robinson Zapata, had no SIPDIS substantive response to reftel demarche, regarding the US-India civil nuclear cooperation initiative. Robinson agreed, however, to pass talking points to Vice Minister for North America, Maria Pilar Hernandez, for further consideration. Post does not expect to receive any substantive response from the MFA on this issue, especially considering that the BRV, as noted in ref B, is a staunch critic of the US government's non-proliferation policies. ¶2. (C) Separately, Polcouns spoke with officials from the Indian Embassy in Caracas, who indicated their government had some concerns regarding the BRV's past statements and actions regarding the acquisition of nuclear technology. They indicated they were monitoring developments in Venezuela closely. Following the discussion, Indian Embassy officials informed Polcouns that they had requested New Delhi's guidance on whether or not it would be beneficial to approach BRV officials on the issue. They indicated they would inform the Embassy if they were instructed to demarche the BRV. BROWNFIELD