VENEZUELA DEFENDS IAEA VOTE ON IRAN IN THE

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000105 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR WHA/CAR LLUFTIG, WHA/AND, WHA/PD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PREL EU AORC ENRG NS SUBJECT: VENEZUELA DEFENDS IAEA VOTE ON IRAN IN THE SURINAMESE PRESS ¶1. (U) Under the heading "Venezuela Justifies Its Vote Against IAEA," De West, a Surinamese daily paper published a press release on February 20 from sources at the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The paper, which has the smallest circulation in Suriname, ran the article on its second page. The release, issued by the Venezuelan Deputy Minister for North American and Multilateral Affairs, Maria Del Pilar Hernandez, justifies the Venezuelan vote against the IAEA resolution concerning the Iranian nuclear program. ¶2. (U) In the press release, the Venezuelan Government states, "the country's stance with regard to Iran's nuclear program is a principled decision, which should not be seen as siding with a certain country, but reflects Venezuela's belief that every country has the right to utilize those technologies, which are beneficial to its development." It goes on to say, "any measure taken against Iran will set precedent and might be used in the future, for just and unjust reasons, and to keep some countries from attaining the technological independence for which they strive." ¶3. (SBU) There has been no further reporting regarding the views or reactions of Surinamese politicians to Venezuela's stance on Iran's nuclear program, and to date the item has not been picked-up by other media. The press office of the Venezuelan Embassy has been very engaged in promoting support locally for Venezuela's foreign policy and post believes that the political leanings of the editorial staff of De West are pro-Venezuelan. BARNES