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.

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