SWISS LIKEMINDED ON DEMOCRACY IN VENEZUELA -- BUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERN 001087 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/AND/LOURDES CUE STATE ALSO FOR EUR/AGS/SAINT-ANDRE, TRICK, MOON E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2012 TAGS: PGOV PHUM SZ SUBJECT: SWISS LIKEMINDED ON DEMOCRACY IN VENEZUELA -- BUT NO SPECIFIC MEASURES CONTEMPLATED REF: SECSTATE 157005 Classified By: POL/ECON Counselor Stanley A. Otto for reasons 1.4 (b) a nd (d) ¶1. (C) Pol/Econ Officer delivered the reftel talking points on anti-democratic reforms in Venezuela on November 16 to Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs U.S. Office Director Urs Hammer and South America Desk Officer Nora Kronig, and received an initial readout on the Swiss position regarding the Chavez anti-democratic reform package. ¶2. (C) Hammer noted that Switzerland is, of course, concerned about the anti-democratic reforms in Venezuela, and in particular about the constitutional amendments to be voted on during the December 2 referendum. Switzerland shares the democratic values of the United States and is following the developments in Venezuela closely. As an example of Swiss interest, Hammer noted the participation of three Swiss experts on constitutional law (Mr. Andreas Gross, Dr. Thomas Fleiner, and Ms. Claudia Josi) in an international congress on electoral rights and popular participation held in Venezuela at the end of October. ¶3. (C) Kronig added only that the GOS had no special plans at present for initiatives aimed at the Government of Venezuela regarding these anti-democratic developments. She noted that the GOS would discuss this further, and she would inform us of any changes in their approach. CARTER