TAMPING DOWN IRANIAN URANIUM RUMORS IN VENEZUELA

S E C R E T SECTION 02 OF 02 CARACAS 000661 SIPDIS SECRET NOFORN SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: EXEMPT TAGS: PGOV PREL MASS PARM VE IR SUBJECT: TAMPING DOWN IRANIAN URANIUM RUMORS IN VENEZUELA *********************** * Missing Section 001 * *********************** CARACAS 00000661 002 OF 002 Navy and National Guard officials are worried over the fact that the shipment is being overseen by a foreign shipping company. Another rumor has Chavez kicking out the U.S. Naval Attache to distract from the breaking story of uranium excavation. ¶7. (S/NF) Comment and action request. Most of these scenarios seem to be the product of the conspiratorial proclivities of Venezuelan society and may be masking more simple, though troubling, explanations. Absent the uranium angle, for example, Post might have concluded the Esmeralda airstrip was serving as a forward operating base for questionable operations on the Colombian border and/or for social programs for the indigenous. We admit, however, that Post does not have the technical personnel capable of assessing these reports, particularly regarding issues related to uranium mining. We would appreciate the opinion of relevant Washington agencies on whether the reports bear further scrutiny. Specifically, we question why Iran would need to come as far as Venezuela to find uranium. Also, of what use would tractor and cement factories be to preparing uranium for export (we assume they would not process ore here for weapons-grade use)? ¶8. (C) Action request, continued. Post has also begun to receive press inquiries regarding these press reports. Often the questions dovetail into larger issues such as the Iranian nuclear program and IAEA discussions. As these questions clearly fall outside our purview, Post would appreciate guidance on how to handle them. BROWNFIELD