Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CARACAS1191
2008-08-22 23:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:
CHAVEZ ACCUSES PRESIDENT BUSH OF BEING INTOXICATED
how-toVZCZCXRO7026 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHCV #1191 2352344 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 222344Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY CARACAS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1686 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 001191
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPT FOR AID/OTI (RPORTER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR VE
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ ACCUSES PRESIDENT BUSH OF BEING INTOXICATED
AT THE OLYMPICS, CALLS HIM "FACE OF VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION"
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 001191
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPT FOR AID/OTI (RPORTER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR VE
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ ACCUSES PRESIDENT BUSH OF BEING INTOXICATED
AT THE OLYMPICS, CALLS HIM "FACE OF VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION"
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR FRANCISCO FERNANDEZ,
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (SBU) President Chavez called President Bush, "the face of
the Venezuelan opposition," and said he deserved a "gold
medal for drunkenness" during an August 21 interview with a
Venezuelan state television talk show. During the live
coverage, Chavez presented still photos of President Bush
viewing an Olympic event in China where he appeared to have
lost his balance as well as another unflattering photograph
of the President. Urging the cameraman to focus on the
photos, Chavez repeatedly accused the American president of
public intoxication.
--------------
Comment
--------------
2. (C) While President Chavez regularly attacks senior USG
officials in his public appearances, his most recent remarks
were particularly egregious. Chavez appeared to be in full
election-posturing mode during the interview, insisting, as
he did during the December 2007 referendum, that President
Bush was the "leader" of the Venezuelan opposition. In
addition, Chavez appears to be trying to frame a
non-presidential vote, in this case the November mayoral and
gubernatorial elections, as a referndum on his presidency.
3. (C) Chavez's lastest outburst is entirely inconsistent
with his July 5 public overture to the Ambassador on the need
to renew bilateral counternarcotics cooperation. His remarks
coincide with the Caracas visit of Pennsylvania Senator
Arlen Specter and the BRV's decision to fend off a visit by
Office of National Drug Control Policy Director John Walters,
who had offered to meet with Chavez to discuss
counternarcotis coooperation.
DUDDY
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPT FOR AID/OTI (RPORTER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR VE
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ ACCUSES PRESIDENT BUSH OF BEING INTOXICATED
AT THE OLYMPICS, CALLS HIM "FACE OF VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION"
Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR FRANCISCO FERNANDEZ,
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (SBU) President Chavez called President Bush, "the face of
the Venezuelan opposition," and said he deserved a "gold
medal for drunkenness" during an August 21 interview with a
Venezuelan state television talk show. During the live
coverage, Chavez presented still photos of President Bush
viewing an Olympic event in China where he appeared to have
lost his balance as well as another unflattering photograph
of the President. Urging the cameraman to focus on the
photos, Chavez repeatedly accused the American president of
public intoxication.
--------------
Comment
--------------
2. (C) While President Chavez regularly attacks senior USG
officials in his public appearances, his most recent remarks
were particularly egregious. Chavez appeared to be in full
election-posturing mode during the interview, insisting, as
he did during the December 2007 referendum, that President
Bush was the "leader" of the Venezuelan opposition. In
addition, Chavez appears to be trying to frame a
non-presidential vote, in this case the November mayoral and
gubernatorial elections, as a referndum on his presidency.
3. (C) Chavez's lastest outburst is entirely inconsistent
with his July 5 public overture to the Ambassador on the need
to renew bilateral counternarcotics cooperation. His remarks
coincide with the Caracas visit of Pennsylvania Senator
Arlen Specter and the BRV's decision to fend off a visit by
Office of National Drug Control Policy Director John Walters,
who had offered to meet with Chavez to discuss
counternarcotis coooperation.
DUDDY