Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MANAGUA640
2007-03-09 23:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Managua
Cable title:  

NICARAGUA - VENEZUELA AGREEMENT ON ENERGY

Tags:  EPET ENRG EAID MCC NU VE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0019
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMU #0640/01 0682311
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 092311Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANAGUA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9411
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1002
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS MANAGUA 000640 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/EPSC, EEB/ESC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EPET ENRG EAID MCC NU VE
SUBJECT: NICARAGUA - VENEZUELA AGREEMENT ON ENERGY
COOPERATION AND PETROCARIBE

UNCLAS MANAGUA 000640

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/EPSC, EEB/ESC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EPET ENRG EAID MCC NU VE
SUBJECT: NICARAGUA - VENEZUELA AGREEMENT ON ENERGY
COOPERATION AND PETROCARIBE


1. (SBU) Summary. As part of a series of Bolivarian
Alternative agreements between Nicaraguan and Venezuela
signed on January 11, 2007, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan
Ministers of Foreign Relations also signed an Agreement on
Energy Cooperation and Petrocaribe. The agreement sets forth
a schematic for the supply of Venezuelan fuel to Nicaragua
that includes how much of a purchase may be financed, for how
long, and at what rate of interest. End Summary.


2. (SBU) The Agreement on Energy Cooperation and Petrocaribe
was one of a series of thirteen commitments with Venezuela
negotiated by the Ortega government before it came to power
on January 10, 2007. Nicaraguan Minister of Foreign
Relations Samuel Santos and Venezuelan Minister of Foreign
Relations Nicolas Maduro Moros signed the agreement on
January 11, 2007. The substance of the agreement, along with
the other commitments made that day, was kept from the public
for weeks. This cable reports on an unsigned copy of the
agreement.

Preambular Language
--------------

3. (SBU) Preambular language mentions the creation of
PetroCaribe on June 29, 2005 as an enabling organization for
energy policies and plans. The parties reaffirm close ties
of friendship and cooperation and take into account that
"cooperative solidarity" is indispensable to attain mutual
objectives of social and economic progress in an environment
of peace and social justice. The parties recognize the need
to adapt to changing conditions in petroleum markets.

Article 1: Supply of Petroleum Products
--------------

4. (SBU) The Government of Venezuela will supply crude oil,
refined products, and liquefied natural propane gas (GLP) or
equivalent energy projects to Nicaragua in a quantity up to
10,000 barrels per day, based on a monthly average. This
supply will be the object of evaluation and adjustment
according to the purchasing needs of the Government of
Nicaragua, the availability of supply from Venezuela, and
decisions adopted by the Organization of Oil Exporting
Countries or whatever circumstance that obligates Venezuela
to change the quota assigned according to the specification

of this agreement.

Article 2: PDVSA Policies Prevail
--------------

5. (SBU) Supply will be effected between the Government of
Venezuela and the Government of Nicaragua, or Nicaraguan
entities chosen by mutual agreement between both governments,
in accordance with the commercial policies and practices of
Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA),which will administer
deliveries under this agreement according to the quota
ratified by the Government of Venezuela.

Article 3: Financing Terms
--------------

6. (SBU) The Government of Venezuela will provide financing
under the following scheme: a grace period of 2 years on the
payment of principal and an annual interest rate of 2%. The
percentage to be financed varies with the international
reference price per barrel for crude oil according to the
following scale:

-- $15/b, then 5%.
-- $20/b, then 10%
-- $22/b, then 15%
-- $24/b, then 20%
-- $30/b, then 25%
-- $40/b, then 30%
-- $50/b, then 40%
-- $100/b, then 50%


7. (SBU) In addition, 15-year financing at 2% per annum
(including a two-year grace period) will apply if the
international reference price per barrel of crude oil is less
than $40; 25-year financing at 1% per annum (including a
two-year grace period) will apply if the international
reference price per barrel of crude oil is greater than $40.
(Note: the international reference price was not designated.)
If mutually agreed, payment may be made in-kind (i.e., goods
or services) at preferential prices, including &those
products whose price has been affected by the policies of
rich countries.8


8. (SBU) Payment must be received within 90 days of having

received notice of shipment. No interest will be charged
during the first 30 days. An annual rate of 2% interest will
apply to the remaining 60 days. The Government of Venezuela
reserves the right to deliver to the port of its choice (cost
plus freight). Financing will only cover the cost of the
product (FOB Venezuela); the cost of shipping will be paid no
later than 30 days from the notice of shipment.

Article 4: Debt Payment Mechanisms
--------------

9. (SBU) Interest and principal payments for debt contracted
by the Government of Nicaragua or Nicaraguan entities, as the
case may be, may be made through commercial compensation,
when requested by the Government of Venezuela.

Article 5: Use
--------------

10. (SBU) Financed sales will be used for internal
consumption by the Government of Nicaragua. On each
occasion, quantities will be decided by the Government of
Venezuela.

Article 6: Imports Not To Exceed Consumption
--------------

11. (SBU) As in the case under the Energy Cooperation Program
with Central American and Caribbean countries (San Jose
Agreement),imports under this agreement may not exceed the
level of internal consumption of the Government of Nicaragua.

Article 7: San Jose Agreement
--------------

12. (SBU) This quantities purchased under this agreement will
have no affect on financing mechanisms in place under the San
Jose Agreement for Central America and the Caribbean. For
this reason, the Government of Nicaragua will notify
Venezuela of the quantities of purchases to be made within
the context of this agreement.

Article 8: Executing Authorities
--------------

13. (SBU) The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and Venezuelan
Oil Company (PDVSA) will execute this agreement on behalf of
the Government of Venezuela. They will establish the
procedures and mechanisms for implementation.

Article 9: Duration, Renewal, Termination
--------------

14. (SBU) This agreement will be in effect for a period of
one year, to be automatically renewed for equal and
successive terms. This agreement may be modified or
withdrawn when it is in the interest of the Government of
Venezuela and it so demands, in which case Venezuela will
notify the Government of Nicaragua in writing at least 30
days in advance.

Article 10: 2000 Agreement on Energy Cooperation
-------------- ---

15. (SBU) This agreement is an extension of the Agreement on
Energy Cooperation signed in Caracas on October 19, 2000.
TRIVELLI