Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PARIS4523
2007-11-19 10:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
CHAVEZ VISIT TO FRANCE: HOSTAGES SOLE FOCUS OF GOF
how-toVZCZCXRO9819 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHFR #4523 3231046 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 191046Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1163 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0536 RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 0540 RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 0460 RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 0097 RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 2188 RUEHSJ/AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE 0241 RUEHSN/AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR 0029 RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 0536 RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA 0044 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 2135
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 004523
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM WHA EU VE FR
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ VISIT TO FRANCE: HOSTAGES SOLE FOCUS OF GOF
REF: A. A) SECSTATE 157182
B. B) SECSTATE 154674
Classified by Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt
for reason 1.4(d)
(C)
C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 004523
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM WHA EU VE FR
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ VISIT TO FRANCE: HOSTAGES SOLE FOCUS OF GOF
REF: A. A) SECSTATE 157182
B. B) SECSTATE 154674
Classified by Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt
for reason 1.4(d)
(C) 1. POL M/C conveyed to French Presidency November 16
U.S. interest in using the upcoming Chavez visit to convey
French and international concern about proposed changes to
Venezuela's constitution (along lines set out in refs).
Presidency America's advisor Damien Loras, while stating that
the GOF has concerns about some of the proposed amendments,
said that the French side would focus on one issue with
Chavez, that of the hostages held by the FARC, including
Ingrid Betancourt. Loras explained that President Sarkozy
had invited Chavez to France with one single objective in
mind -- to improve chances for the release of those hostages.
The GOF wants to show that it did not regard this as a
normal visit in which the range of issues of bilateral
interest would be addressed.
(C) 2. Loras, who stated that Ambassador Vimont had set out
France's approach to D/NSA Ansley November 17, allowed that
if the Venezuelan side raised other issues such as the
constitutional referendum, the French would make their views
known. However, they would not take the initiative to
discuss any issue other than the humanitarian one.
(C) 3. Although the French approach appeared set, Loras said
the U.S. demarche would be shared with others in GOF
(including Diplomatic Advisor Levitte) and taken into account.
(U) 4.On November 15, Poloff also delivered ref B points to
Lionel Paradisi, MFA desk officer for Venezuela.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM WHA EU VE FR
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ VISIT TO FRANCE: HOSTAGES SOLE FOCUS OF GOF
REF: A. A) SECSTATE 157182
B. B) SECSTATE 154674
Classified by Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt
for reason 1.4(d)
(C) 1. POL M/C conveyed to French Presidency November 16
U.S. interest in using the upcoming Chavez visit to convey
French and international concern about proposed changes to
Venezuela's constitution (along lines set out in refs).
Presidency America's advisor Damien Loras, while stating that
the GOF has concerns about some of the proposed amendments,
said that the French side would focus on one issue with
Chavez, that of the hostages held by the FARC, including
Ingrid Betancourt. Loras explained that President Sarkozy
had invited Chavez to France with one single objective in
mind -- to improve chances for the release of those hostages.
The GOF wants to show that it did not regard this as a
normal visit in which the range of issues of bilateral
interest would be addressed.
(C) 2. Loras, who stated that Ambassador Vimont had set out
France's approach to D/NSA Ansley November 17, allowed that
if the Venezuelan side raised other issues such as the
constitutional referendum, the French would make their views
known. However, they would not take the initiative to
discuss any issue other than the humanitarian one.
(C) 3. Although the French approach appeared set, Loras said
the U.S. demarche would be shared with others in GOF
(including Diplomatic Advisor Levitte) and taken into account.
(U) 4.On November 15, Poloff also delivered ref B points to
Lionel Paradisi, MFA desk officer for Venezuela.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON