Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CARACAS1914
2007-09-27 15:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:
CHAVEZ MEETS WITH FAMILIES OF AMERICAN CITIZEN
how-toVZCZCXRO9934 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHCV #1914 2701536 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 271536Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY CARACAS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9814 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS PRIORITY RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001914
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM CO VE
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ MEETS WITH FAMILIES OF AMERICAN CITIZEN
FARC HOSTAGES
REF: CARACAS 001903
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT RICHARD DOWNES,
REASON 1.4 (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001914
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM CO VE
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ MEETS WITH FAMILIES OF AMERICAN CITIZEN
FARC HOSTAGES
REF: CARACAS 001903
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT RICHARD DOWNES,
REASON 1.4 (D)
1. (SBU) President Chavez met with the family members of
Amcit FARC hostages Keith Stansell, Thomas Howes, and Marc
Gonsalves the evening of September 25. Paloma Diaz, the
sister of FARC prisoner in Colombia, and Yolanda Pulecio,
mother of Colombian/French hostage Ingrid Betancourt, were
also present. Chavez received the family members at his
official Miraflores residence, the same place he received the
family members of Colombian FARC hostages several days
earlier. Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro and National
Assembly President Cilia Flores accompanied the Venezuelan
president. Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba also attended
the meeting and presented Chavez with another letter from the
FARC in which Raul Reyes reportedly expresses appreciation
for Chavez' ongoing mediation efforts.
2. (SBU) Government-owned Venezolana de Television and
government-funded regional broadcaster Telesur covered
Chavez' prime time meeting with the family members live.
Chavez reviewed for the family members his interest in
mediating a release of FARC hostages in exchange for the
release of FARC prisoners. He told them he needed the
unspecified help of President Bush (Note: Two FARC members,
"Simon Trinidad" and "Sonia" are serving sentences in the
United States on terrorism and drug charges).
Representatives of the family members thanked Chavez for his
mediation efforts and stressed that they hoped they would see
their loved ones again soon. Senator Cordoba announced that
the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) will help organize
rallies in support of a "humanitarian exchange" with the FARC
in Caracas, New York, Bogota, Paris, and a still to be
specified Brazilian city.
3. (C) Comment: The meeting of the family members of Amcit
FARC hostages was supposed to take place only hours after
their early morning September 25 meeting with the Ambassador
(Reftel). Chavez appears to have delayed the meeting until
evening in order to garner a larger television audience.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan family members of FARC hostages are
publicly demanding a meeting with the Venezuelan president.
Chavez, however, said he makes a distinction between FARC's
"political" hostages and the Venezuelans the FARC holds for
ransom. End Comment.
DUDDY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM CO VE
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ MEETS WITH FAMILIES OF AMERICAN CITIZEN
FARC HOSTAGES
REF: CARACAS 001903
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT RICHARD DOWNES,
REASON 1.4 (D)
1. (SBU) President Chavez met with the family members of
Amcit FARC hostages Keith Stansell, Thomas Howes, and Marc
Gonsalves the evening of September 25. Paloma Diaz, the
sister of FARC prisoner in Colombia, and Yolanda Pulecio,
mother of Colombian/French hostage Ingrid Betancourt, were
also present. Chavez received the family members at his
official Miraflores residence, the same place he received the
family members of Colombian FARC hostages several days
earlier. Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro and National
Assembly President Cilia Flores accompanied the Venezuelan
president. Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba also attended
the meeting and presented Chavez with another letter from the
FARC in which Raul Reyes reportedly expresses appreciation
for Chavez' ongoing mediation efforts.
2. (SBU) Government-owned Venezolana de Television and
government-funded regional broadcaster Telesur covered
Chavez' prime time meeting with the family members live.
Chavez reviewed for the family members his interest in
mediating a release of FARC hostages in exchange for the
release of FARC prisoners. He told them he needed the
unspecified help of President Bush (Note: Two FARC members,
"Simon Trinidad" and "Sonia" are serving sentences in the
United States on terrorism and drug charges).
Representatives of the family members thanked Chavez for his
mediation efforts and stressed that they hoped they would see
their loved ones again soon. Senator Cordoba announced that
the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) will help organize
rallies in support of a "humanitarian exchange" with the FARC
in Caracas, New York, Bogota, Paris, and a still to be
specified Brazilian city.
3. (C) Comment: The meeting of the family members of Amcit
FARC hostages was supposed to take place only hours after
their early morning September 25 meeting with the Ambassador
(Reftel). Chavez appears to have delayed the meeting until
evening in order to garner a larger television audience.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan family members of FARC hostages are
publicly demanding a meeting with the Venezuelan president.
Chavez, however, said he makes a distinction between FARC's
"political" hostages and the Venezuelans the FARC holds for
ransom. End Comment.
DUDDY