Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PORTOFSPAIN356
2006-03-20 20:56:00
SECRET
Embassy Port Of Spain
Cable title:
T&T FRUSTRATED BY VENEZUELA BREAKING CICTE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0011 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSP #0356 0792056 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 202056Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6583 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 1316
S E C R E T PORT OF SPAIN 000356
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, WHA/USOAS, WHA/AND, WHA/BSC, WHA/PPC, S/CT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2016
TAGS: PTER PREL ECON MARR MASS OAS TD
SUBJECT: T&T FRUSTRATED BY VENEZUELA BREAKING CICTE
CONSENSUS
REF: SECSTATE 040856
Classified By: DCM, Eugene P. Sweeney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
S E C R E T PORT OF SPAIN 000356
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, WHA/USOAS, WHA/AND, WHA/BSC, WHA/PPC, S/CT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2016
TAGS: PTER PREL ECON MARR MASS OAS TD
SUBJECT: T&T FRUSTRATED BY VENEZUELA BREAKING CICTE
CONSENSUS
REF: SECSTATE 040856
Classified By: DCM, Eugene P. Sweeney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (S) Ambassador delivered talking points contained reftel
to Minister of National Security Martin Joseph. Joseph is
the outgoing chair of CICTE, and head of Trinidad and
Tobago's CICTE delegation to the upcoming Bogota talks.
Joseph (protect) spoke very candidly and expressed his
extreme frustration at Venezuela's antics at the March 10
meeting, which he thought would be pro forma. Instead, they
worked late into the night and were blocked at every option
from reaching consensus. At one point, Joseph tried to go
back to the previous Declaration of Port of Spain for agreed
language, but that did not satisfy the Venezuelans. Still,
Joseph assured the Ambassador that Trinidad and Tobago (T&T)
would work as chair, and even after relinquishing the
chairmanship, to ensure that the major tenets of the Draft
Declaration of San Carlos are upheld.
2. (S) Joseph noted that T&T is walking a tightrope at
times, trying to balance good relations with the United
States with at least tolerable ones with Venezuela. However,
he noted that Chavez is becoming increasingly difficult to
speak with. As an example, he stated that he asked the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs to attempt to influence the
Venezuelan decision on the declaration, but was informed that
"no one can talk to Chavez." He speculated that it would
probably be best to isolate Venezuela, although it would be
difficult to do.
AUSTIN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, WHA/USOAS, WHA/AND, WHA/BSC, WHA/PPC, S/CT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2016
TAGS: PTER PREL ECON MARR MASS OAS TD
SUBJECT: T&T FRUSTRATED BY VENEZUELA BREAKING CICTE
CONSENSUS
REF: SECSTATE 040856
Classified By: DCM, Eugene P. Sweeney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (S) Ambassador delivered talking points contained reftel
to Minister of National Security Martin Joseph. Joseph is
the outgoing chair of CICTE, and head of Trinidad and
Tobago's CICTE delegation to the upcoming Bogota talks.
Joseph (protect) spoke very candidly and expressed his
extreme frustration at Venezuela's antics at the March 10
meeting, which he thought would be pro forma. Instead, they
worked late into the night and were blocked at every option
from reaching consensus. At one point, Joseph tried to go
back to the previous Declaration of Port of Spain for agreed
language, but that did not satisfy the Venezuelans. Still,
Joseph assured the Ambassador that Trinidad and Tobago (T&T)
would work as chair, and even after relinquishing the
chairmanship, to ensure that the major tenets of the Draft
Declaration of San Carlos are upheld.
2. (S) Joseph noted that T&T is walking a tightrope at
times, trying to balance good relations with the United
States with at least tolerable ones with Venezuela. However,
he noted that Chavez is becoming increasingly difficult to
speak with. As an example, he stated that he asked the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs to attempt to influence the
Venezuelan decision on the declaration, but was informed that
"no one can talk to Chavez." He speculated that it would
probably be best to isolate Venezuela, although it would be
difficult to do.
AUSTIN