Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PRETORIA2636
2007-07-27 15:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Pretoria
Cable title:
CHAVEZ TO VISIT SOUTH AFRICA SEPTEMBER 5-6
how-toVZCZCXRO4501 RR RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHSA #2636 2081530 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 271530Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0980 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0263 RUEHTN/AMCONSUL CAPE TOWN 4641 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 002636
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S R. MARBURG, WHA/AND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/26/2017
TAGS: PREL VE SF
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ TO VISIT SOUTH AFRICA SEPTEMBER 5-6
Classified By: Political Counselor Raymond Brown. Reasons 1.4(b) and (
d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 002636
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S R. MARBURG, WHA/AND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/26/2017
TAGS: PREL VE SF
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ TO VISIT SOUTH AFRICA SEPTEMBER 5-6
Classified By: Political Counselor Raymond Brown. Reasons 1.4(b) and (
d).
1. (C) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will visit Cape Town,
South Africa September 5-6, according to DFA Deputy Director
Annelize Schroeder (protect). South Africa will roll out the
red carpet for Chavez, treating the trip as a full-fledged
State Visit. Schroeder told PolOff July 24 that Chavez will
meet with President Thabo Mbeki, ForMin Nkosazana
Dlamini-Zuma, and will address Parliament. Mbeki will host a
state dinner for Chavez. The South African and Venezuelan
governments are also discussing adding a business component
to the trip, which may include inauguration of a
Venezuela-South Africa business forum.
2. (C) Chavez wants to visit Robben Island and broadcast live
to the people of Venezuela from President Mandela's former
jail cell, Schroeder said. The South African Government
(SAG) has not yet consented to this request, pointing to
logistical and diplomatic questions about live broadcasts
from Robben Island.
3. (C) Schroeder commented that the Government of Venezuela
refuses to provide information about the makeup of Chavez's
delegation, citing "security concerns." This is becoming
frustrating for the South African planners, and the SAG will
eventually give the Venezuelans a drop dead date for
providing basic logistical information about the delegation.
4. (C) COMMENT. We understand that Chavez has been trying to
schedule a visit to South Africa for more than two years, and
the South Africans felt they finally had to say yes. South
African officials have mixed feelings about Chavez, admiring
his "pro-South" (and anti-U.S.) rhetoric, while acknowledging
the problems with his economic and regional policies. Mbeki
is reportedly close to Brazilian President Lula and Chilean
President Bachelet, regarding them -- not Chavez -- as his
natural allies in Latin America. END COMMENT.
Bost
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S R. MARBURG, WHA/AND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/26/2017
TAGS: PREL VE SF
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ TO VISIT SOUTH AFRICA SEPTEMBER 5-6
Classified By: Political Counselor Raymond Brown. Reasons 1.4(b) and (
d).
1. (C) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will visit Cape Town,
South Africa September 5-6, according to DFA Deputy Director
Annelize Schroeder (protect). South Africa will roll out the
red carpet for Chavez, treating the trip as a full-fledged
State Visit. Schroeder told PolOff July 24 that Chavez will
meet with President Thabo Mbeki, ForMin Nkosazana
Dlamini-Zuma, and will address Parliament. Mbeki will host a
state dinner for Chavez. The South African and Venezuelan
governments are also discussing adding a business component
to the trip, which may include inauguration of a
Venezuela-South Africa business forum.
2. (C) Chavez wants to visit Robben Island and broadcast live
to the people of Venezuela from President Mandela's former
jail cell, Schroeder said. The South African Government
(SAG) has not yet consented to this request, pointing to
logistical and diplomatic questions about live broadcasts
from Robben Island.
3. (C) Schroeder commented that the Government of Venezuela
refuses to provide information about the makeup of Chavez's
delegation, citing "security concerns." This is becoming
frustrating for the South African planners, and the SAG will
eventually give the Venezuelans a drop dead date for
providing basic logistical information about the delegation.
4. (C) COMMENT. We understand that Chavez has been trying to
schedule a visit to South Africa for more than two years, and
the South Africans felt they finally had to say yes. South
African officials have mixed feelings about Chavez, admiring
his "pro-South" (and anti-U.S.) rhetoric, while acknowledging
the problems with his economic and regional policies. Mbeki
is reportedly close to Brazilian President Lula and Chilean
President Bachelet, regarding them -- not Chavez -- as his
natural allies in Latin America. END COMMENT.
Bost