GREECE ON DEMOCRACY IN VENEZUELA

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 002234 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM EUN VE GR SUBJECT: GREECE ON DEMOCRACY IN VENEZUELA REF: SECSTATE 154674 Classified By: POLCOUNS ROBIN QUINVILLE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) On November 16, Poloff delivered reftel points on democracy in Venezuela to Counselor Maria Alerta, D4 Directorate on Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ¶2. (C) Alerta agreed that the proposed constitutional amendments of the GoV would create problems. She also noted that the repressive reaction of the GoV to dissenters reflected a regression in democratic and human rights standards in Venezuela. She said Greece was open to suggestions on appropriate actions. Poloff recommended Greek public statements of concern, bilateral demarches to Venezuela, and discussion in international fora such as the EU and UN. Alerta indicated that she would communicate our concerns and action request to other GoG officials, specifically those in the MFA Directorate for Latin American Affairs and notify us of any developments in Greece's position. SPECKHARD