Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SANTIAGO910
2006-05-03 19:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Santiago
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES VENEZUELA'S UNSC CANDIDACY
how-toVZCZCXYZ0002 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHSG #0910 1231953 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 031953Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9025 INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 0938 RUEHGT/AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA PRIORITY 0221 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0163
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 000910
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/BSC, WHA/AND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2016
TAGS: UNSC PREL CI VZ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES VENEZUELA'S UNSC CANDIDACY
WITH TOP FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIAL
REF: STATE 69313
Classified By: Ambassador Craig A. Kelly. Reasons: 1.4 (b and d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 000910
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/BSC, WHA/AND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2016
TAGS: UNSC PREL CI VZ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES VENEZUELA'S UNSC CANDIDACY
WITH TOP FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIAL
REF: STATE 69313
Classified By: Ambassador Craig A. Kelly. Reasons: 1.4 (b and d).
1. (C) The Ambassador called on Foreign Ministry Director
General for External Relations Carlos Portales on May 2, to
discuss the GOC's views on Venezuela's UNSC candidacy
following Foreign Minister Foxley's recent meetings in
Washington (reftel). The Ambassador noted that our
information indicated considerable support for Guatemala's
candidacy, particularly in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Portales thanked the Ambassador for the information. He
commented that FonMin Foxley had briefed him on his visit and
said that Chile had not made a decision.
2. (C) During a follow-on, one-on-one meeting, Portales
suggested that additional U.S. pressure on the Bachelet
administration could be counterproductive. Portales
explained that President Bachelet is a synthesizer who needs
time, stressing that "Concertacion (center-left) coalition
politics and regional considerations" needed to be properly
managed. Portales asserted that Chavez' statements and
actions were undermining Venezuela's candidacy, and predicted
that Chavez would continue to "shoot himself in the foot."
3. (C) Portales cautioned the U.S. from pressing Chile to
take "an early decision." The Ambassador explained that the
U.S. was increasingly concerned that Chile, one of the most
democratic countries in the Hemisphere, had not come around
to the fact that Venezuela already had proven itself unfit
for an international body as important as the United Nations.
By waiting on the issue, Chile helps convey to Chavez that
he has the Southern Cone's blessing. The Ambassador asked if
giving Chile time would produce the right decision (e.g. a
Chilean vote against Venezuela). Portales said, in his
personal opinion, he believed it would.
KELLY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/BSC, WHA/AND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2016
TAGS: UNSC PREL CI VZ
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES VENEZUELA'S UNSC CANDIDACY
WITH TOP FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIAL
REF: STATE 69313
Classified By: Ambassador Craig A. Kelly. Reasons: 1.4 (b and d).
1. (C) The Ambassador called on Foreign Ministry Director
General for External Relations Carlos Portales on May 2, to
discuss the GOC's views on Venezuela's UNSC candidacy
following Foreign Minister Foxley's recent meetings in
Washington (reftel). The Ambassador noted that our
information indicated considerable support for Guatemala's
candidacy, particularly in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Portales thanked the Ambassador for the information. He
commented that FonMin Foxley had briefed him on his visit and
said that Chile had not made a decision.
2. (C) During a follow-on, one-on-one meeting, Portales
suggested that additional U.S. pressure on the Bachelet
administration could be counterproductive. Portales
explained that President Bachelet is a synthesizer who needs
time, stressing that "Concertacion (center-left) coalition
politics and regional considerations" needed to be properly
managed. Portales asserted that Chavez' statements and
actions were undermining Venezuela's candidacy, and predicted
that Chavez would continue to "shoot himself in the foot."
3. (C) Portales cautioned the U.S. from pressing Chile to
take "an early decision." The Ambassador explained that the
U.S. was increasingly concerned that Chile, one of the most
democratic countries in the Hemisphere, had not come around
to the fact that Venezuela already had proven itself unfit
for an international body as important as the United Nations.
By waiting on the issue, Chile helps convey to Chavez that
he has the Southern Cone's blessing. The Ambassador asked if
giving Chile time would produce the right decision (e.g. a
Chilean vote against Venezuela). Portales said, in his
personal opinion, he believed it would.
KELLY