DEMARCHE DELIVERED: GROWING IRAN-VENEZUELA

C O N F I D E N T I A L NASSAU 000664 SIPDIS SIPDIS WHA/AND, NEA/IRAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2017 TAGS: PREL MARR PHUM BF IR VZ SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: GROWING IRAN-VENEZUELA RELATIONSHIP REF: A. A. SECSTATE 61378 ¶B. B. NASSAU 0631 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires D. Brent Hardt, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Pol chief delivered reftel (a) demarche to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Acting Permanent Secretary Marilyn Zonicle. Zonicle appreciated the USG's points regarding the growing security concerns resulting from the close cooperation between Venezuela and Iran. Zonicle indicated that The Bahamas took a pragmatic approach in its relationship with Venezuela, as reflected in its not having concluded a Petrocaribe deal. She noted that The Bahamas, unlike other Caribbean countries, did not have a diplomatic representative in Caracas, and had, in the past tended to follow the CARICOM lead in dealing with the country. ¶2. (C) Given the change of government in The Bahamas and its early statement that Petrocaribe was "not a priority" (see reftel b),we do not expect any warming of relations between Caracas and Nassau. Indeed we expect the FNM government to be a stronger partner of the United States in addressing Venezuela-related issues. We will continue to keep the Bahamian government informed of USG concerns regarding Iran's role in Venezuela and to press for greater cooperation internationally regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions. HARDT