SPAIN ON VENEZUELA: UNSC ELECTION AND VISIT TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 001774 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/PGI (JELDRIDGE) AND IO/UNP (BHARRIS) E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2016 TAGS: PREL UNSC VZ SP SUBJECT: SPAIN ON VENEZUELA: UNSC ELECTION AND VISIT TO NORTH KOREA REF: A. STATE 111590 ¶B. STATE 112009 Classified By: Acting DCM Kathy Fitzpatrick for reasons 1.4 (b)&(d). ¶1. (C/NF) A/DCM delivered ref A and B demarches regarding Venezuela to MFA DG for Latin America Javier Sandomingo on July 11. She said that Spain's influence with countries in Latin America and Africa could help prevent Venezuela from becoming a troublesome member of the UN Security Council. A/DCM emphasized that it is time for Spain to do more. Sandomingo replied that Spain's vote for Guatemala is certain. He said that Spain has made a point of telling Latin American countries about its voting intentions. He added, however, that it would be counterproductive for Spain to try to pressure any of the Latin American countries. Sandomingo said that Spain does not have the sort of influence in Latin American that can be used for these purposes. He noted that President Zapatero had indicated Spain's support for Guatemala to Chilean President Bachelet when she visited Madrid last month. Sandomingo said that despite Spain's recent dealings with African countries, it has very little influence there, especially compared with Cuba, which he hypothesized is working to gain support for Venezuela among its African friends. Sandomingo said that he would pass the US request to Deputy Foreign Minister Bernadino Leon. A/DCM asked Sandomingo to underscore to Leon the importance for the US of this request and asked that Spain find a way that it felt would be effective to help avoid the prospect of having Venezuela on the Security Council. She cited the upcoming trips to Latin America of the Spanish Crown Prince (in late July for Peru's Presidential inauguration) and Spanish Vice President Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega (in early August),in both cases accompanied by Leon, as opportune moments for such an effort. (Embassy note: Ambassador will also follow up with Foreign Minister Moratinos). ¶2. (C/NF) On the issue of a Chavez visit to North Korea, Sandomingo acknowledged the discussion on this issue between U/S Burns and that MFA Political Director Dezcallar on July ¶7. He said that Dezcallar and Moratinos are discussing whether to send a message to Chavez discouraging the visit. From his point of view, Sandomingo said, it seemed that it might be best for Chavez to visit North Korea "so that people can see who he really is." AGUIRRE