SEN. SPECTER URGES BRV TO INCREASE COOPERATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 001192 SIPDIS DEPT PLEASE PASS ONDCP WALTERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2018 TAGS: OVIP PGOV PREL SNAR VE SUBJECT: SEN. SPECTER URGES BRV TO INCREASE COOPERATION WITH THE USG REF: CARACAS 000945 CARACAS 00001192 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR FRANCISCO J. FERNANDEZ, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. During his August 22 meeting with Foreign Minister Maduro, Senator Specter urged the BRV to tone down its rhetoric against the United States and increase bilateral communication and cooperation on issues of mutual concern, such as counternarcotics. The Senator urged the Minister to take advantage of ONDCP Director Walters' desire to visit Venezuela and renew counternarcotics cooperation. Minister Maduro responded that the BRV was interested in increased cooperation, and thought it would be possible after the November US elections. Maduro added that the BRV was still evaluating how to respond to the ONDCP Director's request for discussions. Amb. Duddy informed the Minister that because of the BRV's delay, ONDCP Director Walters was forced to cancel his trip, something the USG regretted. He also noted that the increasing rhetoric (septel) and the delays called into question the BRV's commitment to dialogue. Senator Specter also reiterated his request to meet with President Chavez and noted that he would be willing to carry any messages that President Chavez might have for Senators McCain and Obama. End Summary. ¶2. (C) On August 22, Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) met with Foreign Minister Maduro to discuss increasing bilateral communication and cooperation. The Senator, accompanied by Ambassador Duddy, told the Foreign Minister that he believed in dialogue and felt that he had demonstrated this during his 2005 meeting with President Chavez on his last trip to Venezuela. The Senator called on the Foreign Minister to lower the tone of the rhetoric against the United States. By doing this, the Senator opined that we could begin substantive cooperation in areas of mutual concern, such as counternarcotics. While we might have differing viewpoints on issues, the Senator stressed that open lines of communication were essential. Senator Specter then highlighted the meeting request recently submitted by ONDCP Director Walters as an excellent opportunity to increase cooperation on counternarcotics. Senator Specter also said that he knew both candidates running for US President, and they both believed in the importance of dialogue. ¶3. (C) Minister Maduro thanked the Senator for visiting Venezuela and acknowledged that the BRV considered the Senator a serious interlocutor. Maduro added that he believed in dialogue and cooperation, and had been a founding member of the Boston Group, an inter-parliamentary group that featured regular exchanges between US and Venezuelan legislators. Maduro stated that while the BRV hoped to move forward on cooperating with the US on issues of mutual concern, such as counternarcotics, this was difficult because the BRV felt that every time dialogue moved the relationship forward, a USG spokesman would then make a comment critical of the BRV which would scuttle the forward progress made. Maduro stressed that the BRV had paid a high political cost for making such overtures and having them publicly dismissed in this way. While the BRV had not given up its hope for improved bilateral cooperation, Maduro added that the USG's "stigmatization" of new political trends in the region, such as in Ecuador, Bolivia Nicaragua, Argentina and Venezuela, made dialogue difficult. Maduro stated that while the July 5 comments of the President were sincere, because of such considerations the BRV was uncertain that this was the correct time for such an overture. Maduro also intimated that the BRV hoped that a dialogue could restart after the US presidential elections. Regarding ONDCP Director Walter's visit, the BRV was still evaluating how best to respond. He added that the delay was due to the busy travel schedule of key BRV officials. ¶4. (C) Ambassador Duddy told the Minister that the USG had answered President Chavez's request for increased communication and counternarcotics cooperation in a serious, substantive and responsible manner. We were disappointed that our top counternarcotics official, ONDCP Walters had offered to come to Venezuela, and because of the BRV's delays in processing the visas for him and his staff, he was forced to cancel. Moreover, increased rhetoric, such as the Chavez's ad hominem attack on President Bush (septel) made it difficult to forge a climate of cooperation. Maduro did not comment, but appeared to nod in agreement. The Senator stressed the potential importance of a Walters' visit, and asserted that the BRV should not wait until the new administration to begin a dialogue with the USG as this would CARACAS 00001192 002.2 OF 002 delay the process by at least six months. He also told the Minister that he had held meetings with the National Assembly members of the US-Venezuelan Parliamentary Friendship Group that was trying to revive the Boston Group process, and had offered to discuss US Senate participation in the Group. The Senator added that he would respond to the National Assembly Vice President in writing by the end of September on possible next steps for parliamentary cooperation. Maduro ended the meeting by thanking the Senator for his work to increase dialogue with Venezuela and added that the BRV would consider the Senator's offer to send messages to the US. Presidential candidates. ¶5. (C) COMMENT. The BRV waited until the last minute to grant this meeting with the Foreign Minister. It was clear from the Minister's comments that despite the President's July 5 comments to the Ambassador (reftel),the BRV was not sure that increased dialogue with the USG prior to the November US and Venezuelan elections was in its interests. END COMMENT. ¶6. This cable was cleared by Sen. Specter prior to his departure. DUDDY