CHAVEZ ASKS ANTILLEAN PM "WHAT ABOUT INDEPENDENCE?"

C O N F I D E N T I A L CURACAO 000065 SIPDIS SIPDIS SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 1/18/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV EPET ECON EINV NA VZ SUBJECT: CHAVEZ ASKS ANTILLEAN PM "WHAT ABOUT INDEPENDENCE?" CLASSIFIED BY: Robert E Sorenson, Chief of Mission, Curacao, State. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) Netherlands Antilles PM Emily de Jongh Elhage told COM that upon meeting Chavez at recent Ortega inauguration that Chavez immediately asked her "what about independence for Curacao." Somewhat stunned, the PM responded that Curacao and the Netherlands Antilles had no intention of leaving the Kingdom and this had been decided in a referendum in April 2005. Chavez then shook his head and said yes he knew, and changed gears by asking about negotiations on the Isla refinery and indicated that he would like to come to Curacao to meet her. The PM demurred without directly responding. ¶2. (C) The PM recounted the exchange in a one-on-one meeting with COM upon her return from Nicaragua where she represented the Kingdom at Ortega's inauguration. She was particularly dismayed by the Nicaraguans' decision to delay the inauguration for two hours awaiting Chavez's arrival in which heads of state and other dignitaries were kept waiting. ¶3. (C) The PM stated that she was very concerned about Chavez's actions towards Curacao and the region. She had strong suspicions that the Venezuelans encouraged some island politicians to reject the Kingdom constitutional reform agreement by promises of money for the upcoming April election. The PM believed that this election was critical for Curacao and the Netherlands Antilles as it would determine the future course of the island. With negotiations on future investment (and status) of the refinnery now on the agenda, she felt the situation is particularly delicate. As for a Chavez visit, she definitely did not want him to come to the island, particularly before the elections, but felt she may be compelled to travel to Caracas if only to preclude his visit here. ¶4. (C) Comment. The PM's concerns are legitimate. With the collapse of the island government in November, Chavez has a much more pliable group of politicians to deal with at the island level. While it is questionable that any refinery deal could be put together in the time leading up to the election, the refinery remains the key point of pressure for Chavez on the island. Island Council efforts to reopen negotiations with the Dutch on the constitutional reform agreement continue to be rejected as agreement has already been ratified by St. Maarten. The rejection of the agreement largely turned on the sudden change of position of the former center-left coalition partner of the PM, Charles Cooper, leader of the MAN party. Until the night before the vote, Cooper (who is also employed at the refinery) had been in favor of the agreement, but just hours before the vote pressed his party to vote against it in the island council. Many believe his change of heart is directly attributable to Venezuelan promises of money for the election. ¶5. (C) Comment continued. While it is not in our interest to become embroiled in "Kingdom affairs, " it is in our interest to support those who support the presence of the FOL in Curacao and cooperation in counter-narcotics and law enforcement issues and are directly confronted by Chavez. We should continue to show signs of our support and interest through continued US navy ship visits and seek other opportunities to lend our support in other areas, such as GONA interest in gaining the benefits of CBPTA. SORENSON