Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07VIENNA1270
2007-05-15 09:11:00
SECRET
Embassy Vienna
Cable title:
DEMARCHE TO AUSTRIA -- GROWING IRAN-VENEZUELA
how-toVZCZCXRO5300 OO RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHVI #1270 1350911 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 150911Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY VIENNA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7312 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
S E C R E T VIENNA 001270
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/AND, NEA/IRAN AND EUR/AGS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2017
TAGS: PREL MARR PHUM MASS ECON PTER VE IR AU
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO AUSTRIA -- GROWING IRAN-VENEZUELA
RELATIONSHIP
REF: STATE 61378
Classified By: Economic-Political Counselor Gregory E. Phillips. Reaso
ns: 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T VIENNA 001270
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/AND, NEA/IRAN AND EUR/AGS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2017
TAGS: PREL MARR PHUM MASS ECON PTER VE IR AU
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO AUSTRIA -- GROWING IRAN-VENEZUELA
RELATIONSHIP
REF: STATE 61378
Classified By: Economic-Political Counselor Gregory E. Phillips. Reaso
ns: 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (SBU) EconPolCouns presented reftel points orally to
Austrian MFA Americas Director Rudolf Lennkh and Latin
America chief Andreas Melan.
2. (S) Lennkh said Austria follows the situatino in
Venezuela very closely, and has also noted with concern the
growing relationship between Venezuela and Iran. Presidents
Chavez of Venezuela and Ahmedinejad of Iran have both tended
to use radical rhetoric, and they seem to be trying to take
advanatage of opportunities to coordinate their positions.
3. (S) On economic issues, Lennkh said it is clear that
Venezuela, unlike Cuba, has something important to the world
-- namely, its energy resources. Venezuela engages in
"checkbook diplomacy" in the Latin American region.
Nevertheless, Venezuela's economy is not doing as well as
might appear from a look at current high oil prices.
Inflation is very high for the Latin American context, and
the supply of basic goods to much of the population is "not
very satisfactory."
4. (S) The political situation within Venezuela is the most
worrisome aspect of Chavez's presidency, Lennkh said.
Austria sees a continuing erosion of democratic institutions
and of pluralism in society. This is a matter of concern to
Austria and to the entire EU, Lennkh said. Melan added that
Chavez's authoritarian rhetoric is very worrisome.
5. (S) On weapons technology, Lennkh and Melan agreed that
the signs we indicated were problematical. They asked for
any further details on weapons ties between the countries.
We noted that, even if Venezuela's military reach were "only"
regional, this was a matter of grave concern to us because
Venezuelan actions were detabilizing to neighboring
countries. We stressed that Venezuelan support for arms
transfers would be counter to UN Security Council Resolutions
1737 and 1747.
6. (S) Lennkh and Melan agreed that support for Iran's
nuclear technology is highly troubling. However, they
questioned whether Venezuela had anything to offer beyond
financial support (which, they agreed, was already a problem).
McCaw
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/AND, NEA/IRAN AND EUR/AGS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2017
TAGS: PREL MARR PHUM MASS ECON PTER VE IR AU
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO AUSTRIA -- GROWING IRAN-VENEZUELA
RELATIONSHIP
REF: STATE 61378
Classified By: Economic-Political Counselor Gregory E. Phillips. Reaso
ns: 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (SBU) EconPolCouns presented reftel points orally to
Austrian MFA Americas Director Rudolf Lennkh and Latin
America chief Andreas Melan.
2. (S) Lennkh said Austria follows the situatino in
Venezuela very closely, and has also noted with concern the
growing relationship between Venezuela and Iran. Presidents
Chavez of Venezuela and Ahmedinejad of Iran have both tended
to use radical rhetoric, and they seem to be trying to take
advanatage of opportunities to coordinate their positions.
3. (S) On economic issues, Lennkh said it is clear that
Venezuela, unlike Cuba, has something important to the world
-- namely, its energy resources. Venezuela engages in
"checkbook diplomacy" in the Latin American region.
Nevertheless, Venezuela's economy is not doing as well as
might appear from a look at current high oil prices.
Inflation is very high for the Latin American context, and
the supply of basic goods to much of the population is "not
very satisfactory."
4. (S) The political situation within Venezuela is the most
worrisome aspect of Chavez's presidency, Lennkh said.
Austria sees a continuing erosion of democratic institutions
and of pluralism in society. This is a matter of concern to
Austria and to the entire EU, Lennkh said. Melan added that
Chavez's authoritarian rhetoric is very worrisome.
5. (S) On weapons technology, Lennkh and Melan agreed that
the signs we indicated were problematical. They asked for
any further details on weapons ties between the countries.
We noted that, even if Venezuela's military reach were "only"
regional, this was a matter of grave concern to us because
Venezuelan actions were detabilizing to neighboring
countries. We stressed that Venezuelan support for arms
transfers would be counter to UN Security Council Resolutions
1737 and 1747.
6. (S) Lennkh and Melan agreed that support for Iran's
nuclear technology is highly troubling. However, they
questioned whether Venezuela had anything to offer beyond
financial support (which, they agreed, was already a problem).
McCaw