BRV POSITIVE ON SOUTH AMERICAN SECURITY COUNCIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000717

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2018
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PHUM PINR PTER
SUBJECT: BRV POSITIVE ON SOUTH AMERICAN SECURITY COUNCIL
INITIATIVE

REF: SECSTATE 052599

Classified By: Daniel Lawton, Acting Political Counselor
for Reason 1.4 (D)


1. (C) In response to Reftel query, post assesses that the
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) publicly supports any
South American multi-lateral organization that excludes the
United States and advances Chavez' vision of Latin American
integration. President Chavez and other senior BRV officials
are lobbying hard for the South American Security Council
Initiative.


2. (SBU) During a May 21 speech to foreign medical students
studying in Venezuela, Chavez described how he came up with
the idea of forming a South American military alliance.
Chavez noted that "if there can be a NATO, why not a SATO?"
Chavez, a former lieutenant colonel, admitted that his own
idea was "into the wind" but he was effusive in praising the
Brazilian South American Defense Council initiative.


3. (SBU) Brazilian Defense Minister Nelson Jobim met Chavez
during an April tour of the region to drum up support for the
idea of a South American Defense Council. Following Chavez'
enthusiastic support for the proposal on the April 13
broadcast of "Alo Presidente", which he likened to NATO's
mutual defense pact, Jobim had to publicly distance himself
from that interpretation. "It is not a classic military
alliance," explained Jobim, adding "there are no operational
plans."


4. (C) Comment: We anticipate that any organization that
promotes some aspect of Latin American integration, and that
excludes the United States, will likely receive Chavez'
blessing. End Comment

DUDDY