S/C MCCARTHY'S MEETINGS WITH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 001218

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/19/2017
TAGS: PGOV KDEM VE
SUBJECT: S/C MCCARTHY'S MEETINGS WITH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND
VICE MINISTER JORGE VALERO

REF: A. CARACAS 01192

B. CARACAS 01191

C. CARACAS 01193

CARACAS 00001218 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL COUNSELOR MELISSA G. RHODES
FOR 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (C) Summary: In separate events, Special Coordinator for
Venezuela Deborah McCarthy met June 13 with National Assembly
(NA) First Vice President Desiree Santos Amaral, NA Foreign
Relations Committee President Saul Ortega, Vice Foreign
Minister for North American and Multilateral Affairs Jorge
Valero and Director of the Office of North American and
Multilateral Affairs Yaneth Arocha. The legislators accused
the USG of trying to smear the BRV's international image,
citing Venezuela's Tier 3 designation in the Trafficking in
Persons report as an example. They then moved to discuss
their interest in broader exchanges with members of the U.S.
Congress. In contrast, Valero described his meeting with WHA
Assistant Secretary Shannon during the OASGA as "useful" and
thought the BRV had agreed on far more issues with the U.S.
delegation than with other countries' delegations. S/C
McCarthy emphasized the need for continued dialogue and
bilateral cooperation. During the meeting with Valero, the
Ambassador suggested visa reciprocity, civil aviation, and
extradition as three areas for potential cooperation.

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"You Don't Understand the Revolution"
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2. (C) Special Coordinator for Venezuela Deborah McCarthy,
accompanied by Political Counselor and Poloff (note-taker),
met July 13 with National Assembly (NA) First Vice President
Desiree Santos Amaral and NA Foreign Relations Committee head
Saul Ortega. Santos Amaral began by blasting Venezuela's
Tier 3 designation in the recently released Trafficking in
Persons (TIP) Report noting that it put Venezuela in the same
category as Cuba (Ref A). She said the NA "categorically
rejects" USG attempts to malign the BRV and the Bolivarian
Revolution and that Venezuela demands respect for its
sovereign decisions. Ortega added that Venezuela does not
want to be on any USG list, "whether at the top or the
bottom." Santos Amaral accused the USG of conducting an
international media campaign against Venezuela, claiming that
she had once counted within a one-month period over 70 local
press articles featuring negative USG comments or reports.
In response, S/C McCarthy noted that there were many media
articles on the negative aspects of the relationship,
including many which reported the multiple anti-USG remarks
made by senior officials of the BRV. Both countries need to
focus beyond the media content.


3. (C) Santos Amaral attributed the criticism to a lack of
U.S. understanding about the profound social and political
transformation that Venezuela is currently experiencing. She
explained that the BRV wants to have good bilateral
relations, citing the CITGO heating oil giveaways as an
example. Ortega noted the positive, long-standing commercial
relationship the two countries share, and said his committee
always meets with Venamcham and other U.S. business
representatives to discuss their concerns and problems when
they arise. (Note: During a July 13 lunch, Venamcham board
members told S/C McCarthy their access to parliamentarians
has substantially decreased. Septel.) Ortega acknowledged
that bilateral relation had experienced ups and downs, but
thought that if the BRV could have a positive working
relationship with Colombia, despite their traditional rivalry
and ideologically different governments, the BRV and USG
could come to some sort of understanding.

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Trip to Washington
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4. (C) Santos Amaral described the National Assembly
delegation's mid-May trip to Washington as a success. She
said they were able to present a more balanced view of the
RCTV decision to several congressmen and Freedom House
representatives, and received mostly positive responses.
Ortega mentioned that during the visit he raised the
possibility of reviving the Venezuelan-U.S. legislative
friendship group upon the arrival of a new U.S. Ambassador to
Venezuela.


5. (C) Noting the idea of re-launching the bilateral

CARACAS 00001218 002.2 OF 002


legislative group, S/C McCarthy emphasized the need to
maintain channels of communication, exchange information, and
collaborate on areas of mutual interests. She and PolCouns
noted that increased exchanges of information, on TIP-related
issues for example, could avoid unnecessary
misunderstandings. McCarthy also noted that the TIP report
was required by Congress and, like other reports, measured
the level of bilateral cooperation. If there is none, the
report will reflect this. McCarthy underscored the
importance the United States attaches to maintaining its
long-standing commercial and social relations with Venezuela,
as well. Ortega and Santos Amaral agreed.

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Valero Relatively Upbeat on Bilat Relations
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6. (C) In contrast to the NA encounter, S/C McCarthy's
meeting with Vice Minister for North American and
Multilateral Affairs Jorge Valero and Director of the Office
for North American and Multilateral Affairs Yaneth Arocha was
more cordial. The Ambassador, PolCouns, and Poloff
(note-taker) accompanied McCarthy. Although Valero
criticized Venezuela's Tier 3 TIP designation, he noted that
the OASGA had generally gone well, with the BRV agreeing on
far more issues with the U.S. delegation than with other
countries' delegations. He also described his meeting with
the Assistant Secretary for WHA as "useful" and said he had
informed President Chavez of the discussion. Valero said the
BRV was pleased with progress made toward the OAS Social
Charter and that the BRV's Western Hemisphere Ambassadors
have been ordered to promote implementation of the Charter's
eight-point plan.


7. (C) The Ambassador and S/C McCarthy stressed the
importance of maintaining channels of communication and
bilateral cooperation. The Ambassador raised visa
reciprocity, civil aviation, and extradition requests as
three potential areas of future cooperation. S/C McCarthy
also notified Valero of the USG's appeal of the legal
decision on Luis Posada Carriles' limited release. Valero
agreed that continued contact was necessary and said his
office was committed to working with Post and Washington
officials.

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Comment
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8. (C) The NA deputies were predictably prickly, while Valero
was diplomatic but did not make any commitments to move
forward to enhance cooperation. The deputies will likely
continue to work on re-establishing a legislative friendship
group. Valero also will likely continue the BRV's policies
of making polite noises in private regarding a dialogue, but
only making select concrete movements when it is to the BRV's
advantage.


9. (SBU) S/C McCarthy cleared this cable.

DOWNES