Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CARACAS1099
2008-08-07 21:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:
BRV DEFENSIVE ABOUT MERCOSUR HUMAN RIGHTS VISIT
how-toVZCZCXRO5896 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHCV #1099 2202124 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 072124Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY CARACAS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1588 INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1008 RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001099
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD, USAID/OTI FOR RPORTER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL VE
SUBJECT: BRV DEFENSIVE ABOUT MERCOSUR HUMAN RIGHTS VISIT
REF: CARACAS 1060
Classified By: Political Counselor Francisco Fernandez
for Reason 1.4(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001099
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD, USAID/OTI FOR RPORTER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL VE
SUBJECT: BRV DEFENSIVE ABOUT MERCOSUR HUMAN RIGHTS VISIT
REF: CARACAS 1060
Classified By: Political Counselor Francisco Fernandez
for Reason 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (SBU) Uruguayan congressional deputy and president of the
MERCOSUR parliament's Human Rights Commission, Adriana Pena
arrived on August 6 in Caracas. All local media covered her
arrival at the airport. Members of the Venezuelan National
Assembly (NA),Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro and other BRV
officials promptly criticized her visit to Venezuela. Pena
explained that she came to listen to all sides and learn as
much as possible about the "inhabilitados," 272 current and
former officials ineligible to run for office. Pena added
that she would discuss her finding with the other MERCOSUR
Human Rights Commission members and decide if a report would
be presented to the full body.
2. (SBU) AN Vice President Saul Ortega held an August 6
press conference calling Pena's visit "interference" in
Venezuela's internal affairs" and asked for the MERCOSUR
parliament to impose disciplinary sanctions. FM Maduro
claimed Venezuela had "full democracy and freedom," warning
any "right wing" politician that "messes with Venezuela"
would face the consequences. Carlous Wimmer, Vice President
of the Venezuelan delegation to the Latin American Parliament
called media coverage of Pena's visit part of a campaign to
justify "political judicial, economic and military sanctions
against Venezuela."
3. (C) Comment: The strident Venezuelan response to
fact-finding mission underscores the BRV's sensitivities over
the supreme court's and comptroller's controversial decision
concerning the "inhabilitados." Venezuela's accession into
MERCOSUR is an important step in Chavez' vision of Latin
American integration. A negative report on the BRV's
democratic practices could present a major stumbling block.
End Comment.
DUDDY
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD, USAID/OTI FOR RPORTER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL VE
SUBJECT: BRV DEFENSIVE ABOUT MERCOSUR HUMAN RIGHTS VISIT
REF: CARACAS 1060
Classified By: Political Counselor Francisco Fernandez
for Reason 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (SBU) Uruguayan congressional deputy and president of the
MERCOSUR parliament's Human Rights Commission, Adriana Pena
arrived on August 6 in Caracas. All local media covered her
arrival at the airport. Members of the Venezuelan National
Assembly (NA),Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro and other BRV
officials promptly criticized her visit to Venezuela. Pena
explained that she came to listen to all sides and learn as
much as possible about the "inhabilitados," 272 current and
former officials ineligible to run for office. Pena added
that she would discuss her finding with the other MERCOSUR
Human Rights Commission members and decide if a report would
be presented to the full body.
2. (SBU) AN Vice President Saul Ortega held an August 6
press conference calling Pena's visit "interference" in
Venezuela's internal affairs" and asked for the MERCOSUR
parliament to impose disciplinary sanctions. FM Maduro
claimed Venezuela had "full democracy and freedom," warning
any "right wing" politician that "messes with Venezuela"
would face the consequences. Carlous Wimmer, Vice President
of the Venezuelan delegation to the Latin American Parliament
called media coverage of Pena's visit part of a campaign to
justify "political judicial, economic and military sanctions
against Venezuela."
3. (C) Comment: The strident Venezuelan response to
fact-finding mission underscores the BRV's sensitivities over
the supreme court's and comptroller's controversial decision
concerning the "inhabilitados." Venezuela's accession into
MERCOSUR is an important step in Chavez' vision of Latin
American integration. A negative report on the BRV's
democratic practices could present a major stumbling block.
End Comment.
DUDDY