GERMAN GOVERNMENT VIEWS ON VENEZUELAN ARMS

S E C R E T BERLIN 000211

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/AGS AND WHA/WE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2017
TAGS: PREF MARR PHUM MASS PARM PTER SNAR VE GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN GOVERNMENT VIEWS ON VENEZUELAN ARMS
TRANSFERS

REF: A. STATE 10585

B. 06 BERLIN 2828

C. 06 STATE 155336

D. 06 BERLIN 489

E. 05 BERLIN 3924

Classified By: Minister-Counselor for Economic Affairs Robert F. Cekuta
, for reasons 1.4 (b),(c),and (d)


1. (S) Global Affairs officer delivered ref A demarche to
German MFA Arms Export Control Division Desk Officer Jan
Freigang and Venezuela Desk Officer Achim Troester January

29. Freigang and Troester appreciated the information and
encouraged the USG to share with the German Government
specific cases of Venezuelan arms transfers to the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Freigang said
the German Government believed FARC obtained weapons on
Venezuelan territory, but attributed this to corruption among
local Venezuelan officials rather than the result of a
decision by President Chavez's administration to supply the
FARC. He added that if the USG could pass additional
concrete details, it would help the German Government lobby
the EU for stronger actions against Chavez. Freigang also
said particular details would help Germany with its arms
export denial notifications to Wassenaar Arrangement (WA)
partners. Freigang suggested the USG raise its concerns over
Venezuelan arms transfers in the WA, as some WA partners
might export arms to Venezuela otherwise. Troester and
Freigang both said Germany tightly restricts exports of
military items to Venezuela due to concerns over potential
misuse or diversion to the FARC.


2. (S) Troester added Berlin is aware of Chavez's political
support for the FARC. He said Venezuelan officials had
indicated to German officials in a 2006 meeting that
Venezuela does not recognize the FARC as a terrorist group.
Troester also said the fact Venezuelan media in the border
area with Colombia regularly complain about FARC activity
indicates the Chavez administration does nothing to impede
the FARC's passage onto Venezuelan territory and likely
allows it safehaven.


3. (S) Troester said Germany recognizes that not only is the
Chavez administration heading towards dictatorship, but also
that it is spreading its influence to Chile and other
countries in the region. Troester added Germany and other EU
members are discussing European Union policy toward
Venezuela, but have not yet reached consensus. He noted the
EU, after monitoring Venezuela's past two national elections,
shared concerns about the fairness of the campaigns and
elections. Nevertheless, the EU is still unprepared to
criticize Chavez too strongly, Troester said. The EU has
adopted a policy of "quiet diplomacy" towards Chavez, with a
view stronger criticism of him would prompt an overreaction,
harming EU interests. Troester continued that one of the
EU's approaches is to work with Venezuelan parliamentarians
and NGOs. For example, the EU is trying to encourage the
Venezuelan parliament to defeat a measure to restrict the
activities of NGOs. Troester commented that even if the
parliament defeats the measure, Chavez might issue a decree
imposing restrictions nonetheless.


4. (S) Comment: Given the German interest in concrete details
concerning Chavez-FARC cooperation, WHA PDAS Shapiro may want
to provide further details to senior-level German
interlocutors when he visits Europe in mid-February.
TIMKEN JR