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