Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06GEORGETOWN1011
2006-09-28 20:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Georgetown
Cable title:
JAGDEO EXPLAINS RATIONALE FOR SUPPORT OF
how-toVZCZCXRO3886 RR RUEHAO RUEHCD RUEHGA RUEHGD RUEHHA RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRS RUEHTM RUEHVC DE RUEHGE #1011 2712012 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 282012Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4171 INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0114 RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP
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)
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
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