Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LISBON2160
2006-09-28 14:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lisbon
Cable title:
PORTUGUESE REACTION TO VENEZUELA'S CAMPAIGN USE OF
how-toVZCZCXRO3385 RR RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHLI #2160 2711425 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 281425Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY LISBON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5202 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 002160
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2016
TAGS: PREL VE PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGUESE REACTION TO VENEZUELA'S CAMPAIGN USE OF
PM SOCRATES PHOTO
REF: A. LISBON 2134
B. LISBON 1572
Classified By: Troy Fitrell, Pol Chief, Reasons: 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 002160
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2016
TAGS: PREL VE PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGUESE REACTION TO VENEZUELA'S CAMPAIGN USE OF
PM SOCRATES PHOTO
REF: A. LISBON 2134
B. LISBON 1572
Classified By: Troy Fitrell, Pol Chief, Reasons: 1.4 (b,d)
1. (U) The Portuguese press was dominated September 28 by
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez,s billboard campaign in
Caracas, which uses a photo of Chavez together with
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates, above the Venezuelan
and Portuguese flags. Under the title, "Breaking the
Blockade, Venezuela is Respected," the billboard is described
as the first of many with presidents and other international
personalities. The photograph of Socrates and Chavez
together was taken when Chavez's aircraft made a refueling
stop in Lisbon in July (Ref A).
2. (C) The Charge d'Affaires called the Prime Minister,s
Diplomatic Advisor, Jorge Roza de Oliveira, the morning of
September 28 to solicit the GOP reaction and encourage
Socrates to distance himself from Chavez. Roza de Oliveira
described the billboard campaign as an "abuse of the image"
and said that the Foreign Minister,s office planned to issue
a statement shortly.
3. (C) Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister's Diplomatic Advisor,
Paulo Lourenco, reached out to us in an unsolicited call to
state that the Portuguese government felt "duped and used"
and said that the Ministry was calling in the Venezuelan
Ambassador for an explanation. Lourenco further suggested
that Chavez,s behavior was "childish" and might be seen as
amusing if it did not "sully the name of Portugal."
4. (C) Comment: The GOP treads carefully with Chavez to
avoid inviting recriminations against the half-million
Portuguese citizens resident in Venezuela. Portuguese
officials at all levels have expressed concern about Chavez's
unorthodox behavior but have stressed their view that it is
better to engage him than to isolate him. The latest
incident, however, has angered the Portuguese, who feel taken
advantage of, and likely will make them much more wary when
dealing with Chavez in the future. That is certainly the
approach we will continue to encourage. We have asked
Lourenco and Roza de Oliveira to keep us apprised of the
results of the meeting with the Venezuelan ambassador and to
share a copy of the MFA statement when it is released.
O'Neal
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2016
TAGS: PREL VE PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGUESE REACTION TO VENEZUELA'S CAMPAIGN USE OF
PM SOCRATES PHOTO
REF: A. LISBON 2134
B. LISBON 1572
Classified By: Troy Fitrell, Pol Chief, Reasons: 1.4 (b,d)
1. (U) The Portuguese press was dominated September 28 by
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez,s billboard campaign in
Caracas, which uses a photo of Chavez together with
Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates, above the Venezuelan
and Portuguese flags. Under the title, "Breaking the
Blockade, Venezuela is Respected," the billboard is described
as the first of many with presidents and other international
personalities. The photograph of Socrates and Chavez
together was taken when Chavez's aircraft made a refueling
stop in Lisbon in July (Ref A).
2. (C) The Charge d'Affaires called the Prime Minister,s
Diplomatic Advisor, Jorge Roza de Oliveira, the morning of
September 28 to solicit the GOP reaction and encourage
Socrates to distance himself from Chavez. Roza de Oliveira
described the billboard campaign as an "abuse of the image"
and said that the Foreign Minister,s office planned to issue
a statement shortly.
3. (C) Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister's Diplomatic Advisor,
Paulo Lourenco, reached out to us in an unsolicited call to
state that the Portuguese government felt "duped and used"
and said that the Ministry was calling in the Venezuelan
Ambassador for an explanation. Lourenco further suggested
that Chavez,s behavior was "childish" and might be seen as
amusing if it did not "sully the name of Portugal."
4. (C) Comment: The GOP treads carefully with Chavez to
avoid inviting recriminations against the half-million
Portuguese citizens resident in Venezuela. Portuguese
officials at all levels have expressed concern about Chavez's
unorthodox behavior but have stressed their view that it is
better to engage him than to isolate him. The latest
incident, however, has angered the Portuguese, who feel taken
advantage of, and likely will make them much more wary when
dealing with Chavez in the future. That is certainly the
approach we will continue to encourage. We have asked
Lourenco and Roza de Oliveira to keep us apprised of the
results of the meeting with the Venezuelan ambassador and to
share a copy of the MFA statement when it is released.
O'Neal