Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PANAMA1092
2006-06-07 00:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Panama
Cable title:
GOP TURNS TO CHAVEZ TO BOOST CANAL REFERENDUM
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHZP #1092 1580004 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 070004Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8213 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1032 RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0033 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL//J5/J2/POLAD//
UNCLAS PANAMA 001092
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EWWT PM
SUBJECT: GOP TURNS TO CHAVEZ TO BOOST CANAL REFERENDUM
SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS PANAMA 001092
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EWWT PM
SUBJECT: GOP TURNS TO CHAVEZ TO BOOST CANAL REFERENDUM
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (SBU) The GOP has invited Venezuelan President Chavez to
attend the June 22 Congreso Anfictionico in Panama in an
attempt to sway leftist voters, trade unions, and students
before the upcoming Canal expansion referendum, Foreign
Minister Samuel Lewis Navarro told the Ambassador in a June 1
meeting. Chavez's attendance is not yet confirmed, but the
MFA believes he will not pass up this chance to celebrate his
hero Bolivar. END SUMMARY.
Anti-U.S. Platform
--------------
2. (SBU) VP/FM Lewis Navarro told Amb. Eaton June 1 that he
realized Chavez's visit would be a platform for anti-American
rhetoric, but thought Chavez could help persuade leftist
voters to support the still-unscheduled Canal referendum, a
must-win vote for the GOP. Confirming the FM's views, Vice
Foreign Minister Ricardo Duran told POL Counselor June 6 that
Chavez's visit would be especially useful in selling the
expansion to radicals and students who do not support the
expansion project. Duran said the GOP was not concerned the
visit could backfire and anger mainstream Panamanians who
dislike Chavez.
Sole Visitor
--------------
3. (SBU) MFA Deputy Protocol Director told POL Specialist
June 1 that the GOP originally intended to make this a big
event with regional heads of state but has informally advised
area presidents not to come to Panama around this time.
Chavez is the only head of state invited to the Congreso,
which commemorates the 180th anniversary of Simon Bolivar's
1826 congress of newly independent Latin American countries.
The event will be attended by members of the diplomatic
community.
Comment
--------------
4. (SBU) Chavez's proposed visit is the GOP's latest move to
build up Lewis Navarro's leftist credentials within the
ruling PRD for a 2009 presidential run. The invitation
follows Panama's May vote for China, Cuba, and Venezuela for
the UN Human Rights Commission, which Lewis Navarro has
publicly defended, and the 2005 reestablishment of relations
with Cuba, which Lewis Navarro had pursued. Although Lewis
Navarro is President Torrijos's apparent pick for his
successor, he lacks support from the leftist segment of his
party. Reaching out to Chavez is a clear attempt to boost
his standing with the PRD left while trying to dissuade
leftist trade unions and students from causing trouble prior
to the Canal expansion vote.
5. (SBU) The GOP is betting that Panamanians who already
support expansion will not change their minds over Chavez,
and that undecided voters who dislike Chavez will not turn
against the Canal project. Radical leftists, however, may
well be swayed or at least neutralized if Chavez speaks in
favor of expansion. The GOP's influence over the media could
also help to frame Chavez's visit to favor its goals. The
GOP's gamble lies in not being able to control public
reaction to what Chavez may say and do during his visit. It
is still unclear what other motivations lie behind the GOP's
invitation, but at this critical juncture for the GOP, the
GOP is counting on a beneficial boost from Chavez on many
fronts.
EATON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EWWT PM
SUBJECT: GOP TURNS TO CHAVEZ TO BOOST CANAL REFERENDUM
SUMMARY
--------------
1. (SBU) The GOP has invited Venezuelan President Chavez to
attend the June 22 Congreso Anfictionico in Panama in an
attempt to sway leftist voters, trade unions, and students
before the upcoming Canal expansion referendum, Foreign
Minister Samuel Lewis Navarro told the Ambassador in a June 1
meeting. Chavez's attendance is not yet confirmed, but the
MFA believes he will not pass up this chance to celebrate his
hero Bolivar. END SUMMARY.
Anti-U.S. Platform
--------------
2. (SBU) VP/FM Lewis Navarro told Amb. Eaton June 1 that he
realized Chavez's visit would be a platform for anti-American
rhetoric, but thought Chavez could help persuade leftist
voters to support the still-unscheduled Canal referendum, a
must-win vote for the GOP. Confirming the FM's views, Vice
Foreign Minister Ricardo Duran told POL Counselor June 6 that
Chavez's visit would be especially useful in selling the
expansion to radicals and students who do not support the
expansion project. Duran said the GOP was not concerned the
visit could backfire and anger mainstream Panamanians who
dislike Chavez.
Sole Visitor
--------------
3. (SBU) MFA Deputy Protocol Director told POL Specialist
June 1 that the GOP originally intended to make this a big
event with regional heads of state but has informally advised
area presidents not to come to Panama around this time.
Chavez is the only head of state invited to the Congreso,
which commemorates the 180th anniversary of Simon Bolivar's
1826 congress of newly independent Latin American countries.
The event will be attended by members of the diplomatic
community.
Comment
--------------
4. (SBU) Chavez's proposed visit is the GOP's latest move to
build up Lewis Navarro's leftist credentials within the
ruling PRD for a 2009 presidential run. The invitation
follows Panama's May vote for China, Cuba, and Venezuela for
the UN Human Rights Commission, which Lewis Navarro has
publicly defended, and the 2005 reestablishment of relations
with Cuba, which Lewis Navarro had pursued. Although Lewis
Navarro is President Torrijos's apparent pick for his
successor, he lacks support from the leftist segment of his
party. Reaching out to Chavez is a clear attempt to boost
his standing with the PRD left while trying to dissuade
leftist trade unions and students from causing trouble prior
to the Canal expansion vote.
5. (SBU) The GOP is betting that Panamanians who already
support expansion will not change their minds over Chavez,
and that undecided voters who dislike Chavez will not turn
against the Canal project. Radical leftists, however, may
well be swayed or at least neutralized if Chavez speaks in
favor of expansion. The GOP's influence over the media could
also help to frame Chavez's visit to favor its goals. The
GOP's gamble lies in not being able to control public
reaction to what Chavez may say and do during his visit. It
is still unclear what other motivations lie behind the GOP's
invitation, but at this critical juncture for the GOP, the
GOP is counting on a beneficial boost from Chavez on many
fronts.
EATON