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