OPERATION TO RECOVER THREE FARC HOSTAGES BEGINS

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 002410

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPT PASS AID/OTI RPORTER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER CO VE
SUBJECT: OPERATION TO RECOVER THREE FARC HOSTAGES BEGINS

REF: A. BOGOTA 8657

B. CARACAS 2398

Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Daniel Lawton,
Reason 1.4 (D)


1. (SBU) President Chavez personally kicked off what he
called "phase one" of "Operation Emmanuel" on December 28 to
facilitate the release of three FARC hostages. Chavez led
the team of international commissioners from Caracas to the
Santo Domingo airfield in the western state of Tachira on his
presidential jet at aproximately 1300 on December 28. A
buoyant Chavz introduced the international commissioners
(Noe: Argentine Ex-President Nestor Kirchner remaineda
Chavez' side almost the entire time. End Note) to the media
and jokingly presented film maker Oiver Stone as "Bush's
envoy."


2. (SBU) After aking a show of inspecting the helicopters,
bothemblazoned with the badge of the International Comittee
of the Red Cross per the Colombian government's conditions,
the helicopters departed for Vilavicencio, Colombia. Chavez
explained that due to "inconveniences" in weather and
communications, the recovery team did not yet have the exact
coordinates for the hostage recovery. Chavez added that he
hoped for "good weather" on December 29 and to resolve a few
"small, remaining details." The Venezuelan president also
alluded to certain "risks," noting that he hoped the USG
would not interfere with the hostage transfer. Chavez
concluded by offering to put his differences with Colombia
"in the past" and reiterated his desire to meet with FARC
leader Marulanda.


3. (C) Early on December 28, French ambassador La
Tour-du-pin told DCM that he received instructions from the
Venezuelan chief of protocol to present himself at Caracas'
Maiqueta airport by 1200 dressed "for a walk in the jungle".
By 1400 Ambassador La Tour-du-Pin, Senator Peidad Cordoba,
ex-President Nestor Kirchner and other international
commissioners were seen disembarking a presidential jet at
Santo Domingo, in Tachira state, bordering Colombia.


4. (C) Following the departure of the helicopters, the
commissioners returned to Caracas. According to French DCM
Dominique Mas, who called the DCM, the commissioners,
including his ambassador, still don't know what will happen
next. Ambassador La Tour-du-Pin had dressed and packed to
spend the night in Santo Domingo, Villavicencio or even the
jungle. Mas also related to the DCM his ambassador's
conversation with Stone, who said he was there because he is
researching a historical documentary on Latin America, and
his visit was unrelated to the hostage release.


5. (C) Comment: At the end of a year in which his government
suffered many international setbacks, President Chavez is
making every effort to maximize the political value of his
role in the release of the three FARC hostages. The
Venezuelan president invited a veritable media circus to
cover the &first phase8 of the release of the three FARC
hostages. Earlier the same day, Chavez, dressed in his
paratrooper uniform and red beret, addressed a large,
televised open air gathering of the armed forces and extolled
his administration's role in FARC mediation efforts and
humanitarian operations in Latin America.

DUDDY