Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PRAGUE692
2006-06-21 12:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Prague
Cable title:
CZECHS SUPPORT EU CRITICISM OF VENEZUELAN NGO LAW,
VZCZCXRO6132 OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHPG #0692 1721256 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 211256Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7527 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0012
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000692
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE, WHA/AND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2016
TAGS: PREL KDEM PGOV VE EAID EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS SUPPORT EU CRITICISM OF VENEZUELAN NGO LAW,
BUT DO NOT PLAN TO ISSUE SEPARATE BILATERAL MESSAGE TO
VENEZUELA
REF: STATE 97547
Classified By: Acting Political-Economic Counselor
Karen C. Reider for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000692
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE, WHA/AND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2016
TAGS: PREL KDEM PGOV VE EAID EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS SUPPORT EU CRITICISM OF VENEZUELAN NGO LAW,
BUT DO NOT PLAN TO ISSUE SEPARATE BILATERAL MESSAGE TO
VENEZUELA
REF: STATE 97547
Classified By: Acting Political-Economic Counselor
Karen C. Reider for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Poloff met with Petr Janousek, Czech MFA Desk Officer
of the Americas Department, June 19 to discuss Venezuela's
draft NGO law. Janousek said a delegation of EU Ambassadors
in Caracas met in early June with Saul Ortega, President of
the Permanent Commission for External Policies in the
Venezuelan National Assembly, to voice concerns with the law.
The Czechs supported the EU position, which Janousek said is
critical of the law for reasons similar to those of the U.S
(i.e., the law could hinder the ability of NGOs to function
within Venezuela and make it difficult for foreign donors to
financially support them). However, because the EU has
recently spoken with one voice on the law, the Czechs do not
see value in issuing a separate message to Venezuela.
2. (C) Comment. The Czech decision should not be viewed as
reluctance to support democracy in Venezuela generally. Given
limited resources, the Czechs tend to focus their efforts on
priority countries like Cuba, Belarus, Iraq, Burma, and the
Balkans. However, MFA officials have expressed concern with
the erosion of democracy in Venezuela and have even
considered adding Venezuela to its priority country list.
CABANISS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE, WHA/AND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2016
TAGS: PREL KDEM PGOV VE EAID EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS SUPPORT EU CRITICISM OF VENEZUELAN NGO LAW,
BUT DO NOT PLAN TO ISSUE SEPARATE BILATERAL MESSAGE TO
VENEZUELA
REF: STATE 97547
Classified By: Acting Political-Economic Counselor
Karen C. Reider for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Poloff met with Petr Janousek, Czech MFA Desk Officer
of the Americas Department, June 19 to discuss Venezuela's
draft NGO law. Janousek said a delegation of EU Ambassadors
in Caracas met in early June with Saul Ortega, President of
the Permanent Commission for External Policies in the
Venezuelan National Assembly, to voice concerns with the law.
The Czechs supported the EU position, which Janousek said is
critical of the law for reasons similar to those of the U.S
(i.e., the law could hinder the ability of NGOs to function
within Venezuela and make it difficult for foreign donors to
financially support them). However, because the EU has
recently spoken with one voice on the law, the Czechs do not
see value in issuing a separate message to Venezuela.
2. (C) Comment. The Czech decision should not be viewed as
reluctance to support democracy in Venezuela generally. Given
limited resources, the Czechs tend to focus their efforts on
priority countries like Cuba, Belarus, Iraq, Burma, and the
Balkans. However, MFA officials have expressed concern with
the erosion of democracy in Venezuela and have even
considered adding Venezuela to its priority country list.
CABANISS