JAGDEO EXPLAINS RATIONALE FOR SUPPORT OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L GEORGETOWN 001011 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2016 TAGS: PREL EPET KPAO UNSC GY SUBJECT: JAGDEO EXPLAINS RATIONALE FOR SUPPORT OF VENEZUELA'S UNSC BID REF: A. A) GEORGETOWN 651 ¶B. B) GEORGETOWN 672 Classified By: DCM MICHAEL D. THOMAS FOR REASON 1.4(D) ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: In a September 27 press conference, President Jagdeo cited national interest and assurances that Venezuela will not advance its claim on the disputed Essequibo border region as justification for Guyana's support of Venezuela's bid for the U.N. Security Council (UNSC). The statement is the first public declaration of the GOG's support for Venezuela's bid. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Jagdeo announced that Guyana had a "private and a public declaration" from Venezuela that it will not use the Security Council seat to advance its claim on the border issue. Jagdeo also said that regional solidarity with Guyana was strong at the July CARICOM Heads of Government meeting, where Foreign Minister Rudy Insanally represented Guyana in Jagdeo's stead, and that CARICOM pressed for the assurances from Venezuela. ¶3. (U) Jagdeo also said that Caribbean countries were "making judgments based on national interest considerations" and that "the Caribbean would have to judge which of the two countries--Guatemala or Venezuela--has been more helpful to the region." He added that he "would assume that those countries that are benefiting from Petrocaribe would want to conclude that Venezuela has been a bit more helpful." Jagdeo also cited sovereignty in dismissing the possibility of repercussions for Caribbean countries from the U.S., saying that "I don't make decisions here based on what is good for the United States of America or what is good for Venezuela or some other countries." ¶4. (C) COMMENT: Jagdeo's revelation that the decision to support Venezuela was made at the CARICOM Heads of State meeting in July exposes an apparent disconnect with statements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Following the July 5 meeting, Insanally said that the issue was discussed but no decision had been made (Refs A and B). Insanally also notably did not confirm Guyana's support for Venezuela when the matter was raised in a September 7 courtesy call with the Ambassador. Neither Post nor local media are aware of any public declaration by Venezuela that it will not use an UNSC seat to advance the border issue. Unfortunately the tame Guyanese media corps neither asked Jagdeo when Venezuela made the public declaration nor mentioned the discrepancy in stories on the issue. END COMMENT. ROBINSON