Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BOGOTA1797
2008-05-15 22:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
GOC DISMISSES CHAVEZ' COMMENTS ON US MILITARY BASE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 001797
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR MARR MOPPS VZ CO
SUBJECT: GOC DISMISSES CHAVEZ' COMMENTS ON US MILITARY BASE
IN COLOMBIA
REF: BOGOTA 533
Classified By: Acting Poltical Counselor David M. Zimov
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 001797
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR MARR MOPPS VZ CO
SUBJECT: GOC DISMISSES CHAVEZ' COMMENTS ON US MILITARY BASE
IN COLOMBIA
REF: BOGOTA 533
Classified By: Acting Poltical Counselor David M. Zimov
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
¶1. (U) The GOC dismissed Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez'
May 13 threats to challenge Colombian sovereignty over the La
Guajira peninsula if the GOC agreed to a U.S. "military base"
in the Department, which borders Venezuela. Defense Minister
Juan Manuel Santos told the press there was nothing to the
rumors, calling them "a storm in a water glass." Santos said
that Chavez' rhetoric represented another example of the GOV
stirring up regional instability, and added, "I would tell
those criticizing this information to become better informed,
because there will be no base."
¶2. (U) Chavez warned the GOC against the approval of a U.S.
base in La Guajira saying, "if they put in a gringo military
base we will start discussions over all of Guajira," and
consider the move an act of "aggression."
¶3. (U) Chavez' comments come on the heels of an inaccurate
May 12 headline in Colombian daily "El Espectador" -- "The
U.S. Could Propose Base in La Guajira" -- which
mischaracterized one point from an interview with the
Ambassador. The Ambassador said in the interview that
locations in Colombia could be considered among other options
for a possible U.S. Cooperative Security Location (CSL),but
added that any such consideration would come only after
Ecuador's final decision on the future of the CSL at Manta
and be based on a joint GOC-USG decision. The Ambassador did
not mention "bases" or La Guajira. "El Espectador told us
they will publish an Embassy letter correcting the
inaccuracies and a clarifying note on May 16.
¶4. (C) In October 2007, Southcom recommended Palenquero Air
Base in Cundinamarca Department as the best site in Colombia
for a possible CSL. The Embassy endorsed Southcom's
recommendation in February, 2008, and is awaiting the
Department's authorization to approach the GOC (reftel).
BROWNFIELD