Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CARACAS1626
2008-11-25 21:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:
CHAVEZ'S FIRST SALVO AT THE PRESIDENT-ELECT
how-toVZCZCXRO9651 OO RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHCV #1626 3302153 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 252153Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY CARACAS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2189 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 001626
SIPDIS
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL VE IR
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ'S FIRST SALVO AT THE PRESIDENT-ELECT
REF: CARACAS 1556
Classified By: Francisco Fernandez, Political Counselor,
for Reason 1.4(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001626
SIPDIS
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL VE IR
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ'S FIRST SALVO AT THE PRESIDENT-ELECT
REF: CARACAS 1556
Classified By: Francisco Fernandez, Political Counselor,
for Reason 1.4(d)
1. (SBU) In a rambling nationally televised November 24
press conference following Venezuelan state and local
elections, President Hugo Chavez labeled president-elect
Obama's response to a congratulatory letter by Iranian
president Mahmud Ahmadinejad "disrespectful and a bad sign."
Chavez stated that the Presidnet-elect's statement that "the
production of nuclear weapons by Iran is unacceptable," and
pledge to lead "an international effort to halt production,"
to be "a bad clichQ that sounded like Bush." Chavez opined
that the Presidnet-elect needed to "clean house" and remove
the vestiges of "right wing fascism" from the White House.
2. (C) Comment: The U.S. president is too convenient a
whipping boy for Chavez and he will continue to seek
political cover by taking aim at the USG and the local
"oligarchy." This is an abrupt shift in tone from Chavez'
initial overture to the President-Elect, and is noteworthy
because Chavez is taking umbrage on behalf of Ahmadinejad.
CAULFIELD
SIPDIS
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL VE IR
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ'S FIRST SALVO AT THE PRESIDENT-ELECT
REF: CARACAS 1556
Classified By: Francisco Fernandez, Political Counselor,
for Reason 1.4(d)
1. (SBU) In a rambling nationally televised November 24
press conference following Venezuelan state and local
elections, President Hugo Chavez labeled president-elect
Obama's response to a congratulatory letter by Iranian
president Mahmud Ahmadinejad "disrespectful and a bad sign."
Chavez stated that the Presidnet-elect's statement that "the
production of nuclear weapons by Iran is unacceptable," and
pledge to lead "an international effort to halt production,"
to be "a bad clichQ that sounded like Bush." Chavez opined
that the Presidnet-elect needed to "clean house" and remove
the vestiges of "right wing fascism" from the White House.
2. (C) Comment: The U.S. president is too convenient a
whipping boy for Chavez and he will continue to seek
political cover by taking aim at the USG and the local
"oligarchy." This is an abrupt shift in tone from Chavez'
initial overture to the President-Elect, and is noteworthy
because Chavez is taking umbrage on behalf of Ahmadinejad.
CAULFIELD