Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06THEHAGUE523
2006-03-10 15:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

DEFENSE MINISTER KAMP BLASTS CHAVEZ IN PARLIAMENT

Tags:  PREL PGOV NT VE NL 
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PP RUEHAO
DE RUEHTC #0523 0691536
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 101536Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5059
INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 0604
RUEHAO/AMCONSUL CURACAO PRIORITY 0218
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000523 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV NT VE NL
SUBJECT: DEFENSE MINISTER KAMP BLASTS CHAVEZ IN PARLIAMENT

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 000523

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV NT VE NL
SUBJECT: DEFENSE MINISTER KAMP BLASTS CHAVEZ IN PARLIAMENT


1. (U) Defense Minister Kamp blasted Venezuelan President
Hugo Chavez in parliamentary hearings March 9. Addressing
Dutch coast guard operations in the Netherlands Antilles,
Kamp called Chavez a populist with lots of money who "casts
big eyes on the morsels along the coast of Venezuela that
form part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands." He said the
Netherlands had nothing to fear, as the Venezuelans had only
one functioning warship and could not hope to best the Dutch
armed forces. Kamp acknowledged that Chavez intended to
build up his military forces but added the Netherlands
intended to prevent this through diplomatic and political
means.


2. (U) Although Kamp's comments reflect remarks we have heard
from others - primarily in the Ministry of Defense and
Ministry of Interior - they do not reflect the views at MFA,
which prefers to engage rather than isolate Chavez. Kamp's
remarks should not be seen as representing a change in the
GONL's official public stance.
ARNALL