FM MADURO: BRV WILL REEVALUATE RELATIONS WITH USG

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001279 SIPDIS HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD DEPARTMENT PASS TO AID/OTI (RPORTER) E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2028 TAGS: PREL PGOV ASEC VE SUBJECT: FM MADURO: BRV WILL REEVALUATE RELATIONS WITH USG REF: A. SECSTATE 97316 ¶B. CARACAS 01274 Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR FRANCISCO FERNANDEZ FOR REASON 1.4 (D) ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. In a short televised September 12 press conference Foreign Minster Nicolas Maduro read from a communique saying the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) will submit the U.S.-Venezuela bilateral relationship to "an intense process of reevaluation." The communique also included a laundry list of reasons supposedly explaining the BRV's decision to expel the Ambassador. The MFA subsequently sent a diplomatic note incorporating the same language as the communique via fax. During his press appearance Maduro did not comment on the Treasury Department's Designation of two Venezuelan intelligence officials and the former Minister of Interior and Justice under the Kingpin Act. As of COB September 12, there has been no public or private reaction by BRV officials regarding this matter. Below is an unofficial translation of the MFA's communique. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Begin Text: The government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV), given the reiterated demonstrations of hostility by the USG to the Venezuelan people (pueblo),and in light of the permanent and open conspiracy of the representatives of the USG against the democratic processes of the region, and in the midst of the intense campaign of destabilization unleashed against the Bolivian people (pueblo),Bolivian institutions, and President Evo Morales Ayma, has decided to declare the Ambassador of the United States in Caracas persona non grata. The Ambassador of the United States will have 72 hours to abandon BRV territory, beginning 19:15 on September 11, 2008, precisely on the 35 anniversary of the assassination of martyr president Salvador Allende, who was a victim of a coup planned and executed by President Nixon. It is the government of George W. Bush, whose interventionist conduct, has propelled the conservative right wing and the national oligarchs to dangerous actions against peace and stability in our republics, which is the only responsible party for the state of RELATIONS between the United States and Latin America and the Caribbean. As a result, the BRV has decided to submit the entire bilateral relationship with the United States to an intense process of reevaluation with an eye to guaranteeing respect for our homeland, our people, and the people of the brother nation of Bolivia, with the dignity and firmness of our Liberating Fathers. ¶3. (C) Comment: Maduro's statements, as did those of President Chavez on September 11, linked the Ambassador's expulsion to solidarity with events in Bolivia and supposed plots to destabilize Chavez's government. Maduro did not specify what further actions the BRV may take against the USG, but hard-line Chavistas are asserting that leaving U.S. diplomatic personnel in Caracas is a "danger" to the BRV. Neither FM Maduro nor other high level BRV officials have yet to comment on today's designation of two Venezuelan intelligence and the former Minister of Interior and Justice under the Kingpin Act. It is likely Chavez will address this issue and announce any further action against the USG over the weekend, particularly during his Sunday television program "Alo, Presidente." End Comment. CAULFIELD