PANAMA: EMBASSY ACTION PLAN FOR CHAVEZ VISIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 001169 SIPDIS SIPDIS WHA/CEN FOR GREG SCHIFFER SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/14/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL PM SUBJECT: PANAMA: EMBASSY ACTION PLAN FOR CHAVEZ VISIT REF: PANAMA 01128 Classified By: Charge Luis Arreaga for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) -------------- Chavez comes to town -------------- ¶1. (C) At the invitation of the GOP, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will visit Panama on June 22 for a one-day stop to celebrate the 180th anniversary of Simon Bolivar's Anfitionic Congress in Panama when Simon Bolivar called on individual Latin American countries band together into a hemispheric union. Given the nature of the visit, Embassy expects Chavez to use inflammatory rhetoric against the United States in an attempt to provoke us and drive a wedge between the U.S. and Panama. President Torrijos told the Ambassador (reftel) that Chavez's visit and endorsement of the Canal expansion would neutralize leftist groups opposed to the project. Torrijos also predicted however that the visit could get "ugly." -------------- Embassy Engagement Plan -------------- ¶2. (C) Embassy is preparing for the visit on two fronts: political and public diplomacy. On the political front, we are reaching out to prominent political figures and political commentators to ask for their views on Chavez. We will use the discussion to weave in Washington-provided talking points about Chavez's track record on democracy, multilateral diplomacy, meddling in other country affairs (Bolivia and Peru),and energy initiatives. We intend to approach opposition political leaders, leading political commentators, and with business leaders. We will be careful to put the spotlight on Chavez only and avoid direct or implied criticism of Panama's decision to invite him. ¶3. (U) On the public diplomacy front, our discussions with journalists and editors will raise similar concerns. We will also attempt to place for publication recent op-eds from the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post expressing concern about Chavez's intentions. Internally, we will distribute within the mission talking points related to previous Chavez claims but will not speak publicly about the visit until we hear what Chavez has to say. The GOP promises to keep him in check but we doubt their ability to control him once he takes the microphone in any public fora. -------------- Suggested press guidance for the Department -------------- ¶4. (SBU) We suggest the following talking points for responding to questions about the visit: -- Panama is free to pursue its relations with other countries in accordance with its views of its national interest. -- President Chavez has declared many times his opposition to the kinds of free trade agreements that have brought economic benefits to countries like Chile, Singapore, Mexico, the United States, and many others. -- The United States remains concerned about Chavez's commitment to democratic governance and his meddling in the internal political processes of neighboring states. -- Chavez is a potentially destabilizing force in the region, especially in view of his increased arms purchases. ARREAGA