Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CARACAS1160
2008-08-18 16:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:
BRV BLAMES U.S. FOR GEORGIA CONFLICT
how-toVZCZCXRO4171 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHCV #1160 2311600 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 181600Z AUG 08 ZDK ZFD VOL CORRECTION FM AMEMBASSY CARACAS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1655 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001160
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
C O R R E C T E D COPY (TEST PARA 2)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL RS GG VE
SUBJECT: BRV BLAMES U.S. FOR GEORGIA CONFLICT
REF: A. CARACAS 001024
B. CARACAS 000625
C. CARACAS 000233
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR FRANCISCO FERNANDEZ,
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001160
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
C O R R E C T E D COPY (TEST PARA 2)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL RS GG VE
SUBJECT: BRV BLAMES U.S. FOR GEORGIA CONFLICT
REF: A. CARACAS 001024
B. CARACAS 000625
C. CARACAS 000233
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR FRANCISCO FERNANDEZ,
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (SBU) The BRV Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an
August 14 press release asserting that the United States
"planned, prepared, and ordered" the Georgian military
offensive against the break-away region of South Ossetia.
The statement continued, "The international community was
once again witness to the policy of destabilization and
incitement to violence that the American empire practices
around the world." The BRV statement goes on to absolve
Russia of all blame and declare it a force for peace in the
region. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called Georgian
President a U.S. "puppet," and said the Russians, "did what
they had to do," on August 17 in his weekly television show,
"Alo, Presidente."
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
2. (C) The BRV frequently levels preposterous charges
against the United States for domestic and international
problems. The BRV was slow to react this time, but the
statement is consistent with the growing ties between Russian
and Venezuela. Over the last several years, the BRV has
inked arms deals with Russia reportedly for some USD 3-4
billion (Ref A). Chavez also recently returned from a trip
to Russia, where he was reported to have said Russian bases
would be welcome in Venezuela (Note: BRV officials quickly
'clarified' Chavez' remarks and denied such an offer had been
made. End note.) In the August 17 edition of "Alo,
Presidente," Chavez said Russia intended to send naval ships
to the Caribbean Sea and that the ships would be received in
Venezuela.
3. (C) The BRV's position on the Russia - Georgia conflict
appears to derive entirely from Venezuela's increasingly
close relationship with Russia. The BRV opposed recognition
of an independent Kosovo while again strongly backing Russia.
In a February 21, 2008 speech, Chavez declared that Kosovar
independence was, "a plan by the Empire (read: the U.S.) to
weaken the governments of the world (Ref C)." Chavez also
strongly opposes the autonomy movement in the Santa Cruz
region of Bolivia and has accused the United States of
backing secessionist efforts in Venezuela's oil-rich state of
Zulia (Ref B).
DUDDY
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
C O R R E C T E D COPY (TEST PARA 2)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL RS GG VE
SUBJECT: BRV BLAMES U.S. FOR GEORGIA CONFLICT
REF: A. CARACAS 001024
B. CARACAS 000625
C. CARACAS 000233
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR FRANCISCO FERNANDEZ,
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (SBU) The BRV Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an
August 14 press release asserting that the United States
"planned, prepared, and ordered" the Georgian military
offensive against the break-away region of South Ossetia.
The statement continued, "The international community was
once again witness to the policy of destabilization and
incitement to violence that the American empire practices
around the world." The BRV statement goes on to absolve
Russia of all blame and declare it a force for peace in the
region. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called Georgian
President a U.S. "puppet," and said the Russians, "did what
they had to do," on August 17 in his weekly television show,
"Alo, Presidente."
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
2. (C) The BRV frequently levels preposterous charges
against the United States for domestic and international
problems. The BRV was slow to react this time, but the
statement is consistent with the growing ties between Russian
and Venezuela. Over the last several years, the BRV has
inked arms deals with Russia reportedly for some USD 3-4
billion (Ref A). Chavez also recently returned from a trip
to Russia, where he was reported to have said Russian bases
would be welcome in Venezuela (Note: BRV officials quickly
'clarified' Chavez' remarks and denied such an offer had been
made. End note.) In the August 17 edition of "Alo,
Presidente," Chavez said Russia intended to send naval ships
to the Caribbean Sea and that the ships would be received in
Venezuela.
3. (C) The BRV's position on the Russia - Georgia conflict
appears to derive entirely from Venezuela's increasingly
close relationship with Russia. The BRV opposed recognition
of an independent Kosovo while again strongly backing Russia.
In a February 21, 2008 speech, Chavez declared that Kosovar
independence was, "a plan by the Empire (read: the U.S.) to
weaken the governments of the world (Ref C)." Chavez also
strongly opposes the autonomy movement in the Santa Cruz
region of Bolivia and has accused the United States of
backing secessionist efforts in Venezuela's oil-rich state of
Zulia (Ref B).
DUDDY