Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LISBON329
2007-02-06 09:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Lisbon
Cable title:  

PORTUGUESE ASSESSMENT OF THREATS TO PRESS FREEDOM

Tags:  PGOV PHUM PREL PO 
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VZCZCXRO9023
RR RUEHAG RUEHROV
DE RUEHLI #0329 0370931
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 060931Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5538
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0061
C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 000329 

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

WHA/AND FOR CUE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGUESE ASSESSMENT OF THREATS TO PRESS FREEDOM
IN VENEZUELA

REF: SECSTATE 12181

Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Pol/Econ Officer, Embassy Lisbon
Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 000329

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

WHA/AND FOR CUE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGUESE ASSESSMENT OF THREATS TO PRESS FREEDOM
IN VENEZUELA

REF: SECSTATE 12181

Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Pol/Econ Officer, Embassy Lisbon
Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Pol-Econ officer met MFA Latin American Desk Officer
Leandro Amado to discuss Portugal's views of Venezuela's
encroachment on freedom of the press, and to urge that the
Government of Portugal (GOP) pressure the Venezuelans to
respect free speech. Amado responded that Portugal is
watching Venezuela's actions carefully and is concerned with
the erosion of the space for public dialogue. Chavez is
clearly denying the Radio Caracas TV license (reftel) as a
way to silence potential criticism and dissent, according to
Amado.


2. (C) Nevertheless, he remarked that the Government of
Venezuela (GOV) has a legal right to decline a license
renewal request if it chooses. He outlined Portugal's
efforts to work quietly through demarches and private
conversations to press the GOV to maintain an open,
democratic dialogue with dissenting voices. Portugal would
not be willing to publicly criticize the GOV on this
decision, according to Amado, because Venezuela has legal
cover for its actions. Amado further commented that, while
Venezuela features as a frequent issue of concern in the EU
Committee on Latin America (COLAT) meetings, Portugal would
be reluctant to participate in a Troika meeting intended to
confront Venezuela publicly.


3. (C) Comment: Once again, although sympathetic to our
concerns, the GOP declines to speak out against Chavez
because it fears reprisals against the sizeable Portuguese
community residing there. We will continue urging the GOP to
use its influence to press the Government of Venezuela on
issues of democratic governance and human rights, including
in an upcoming meeting with the new MFA Political Director --
and former Ambassador to Venezuela -- Vasco Bramao Ramos.
End comment.
Hoffman