Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SAOPAULO912
2006-08-21 11:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Sao Paulo
Cable title:
MEDIA REACTION: WESTERN HEMISPHERE: VENEZUELA, CHAVEZ'S
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHSO #0912 2331138 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 211138Z AUG 06 FM AMCONSUL SAO PAULO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5651 INFO RHEHNSC/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 6724 RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO PRIORITY 7374 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 2548
UNCLAS SAO PAULO 000912
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE INR/R/MR; IIP/R/MR; WHA/PD
DEPT PASS USTR
USDOC 4322/MAC/OLAC/JAFEE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR OPRC OIIP ETRD BR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: WESTERN HEMISPHERE: VENEZUELA, CHAVEZ'S
REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE; SAO PAULO
Chavez, the Illusionist
Center-right O Estado de S. Paulo (8/21) editorialized: "President
Hugo Chavez is a great illusionist.... On one hand he announces a
'21st century Socialism' and fools the naove ones from whom he
requests support to fight against the United States and capitalism.
But, on the other hand he increases trade with the U.S. and turns
Venezuela into a banker's paradise. Chavez has established dazzling
accords with Cuba and Bolivia...but these are not the countries he
trades with in reality-it is with the U.S. he does so...bilateral
trade grew 36% in 2005...it was the fastest growth among the U.S.
largest trade partners.... The 'Bolivarian Revolution,' which was
supposed to redeem the poor and oppressed, has created a new class
of millionaires and consolidated existing fortunes.... This is how
Hugo Chavez is fulfilling his goal to 'transform the structures of
capitalism.' After all, foes are foes, but business is business."
McMullen