CHAVEZ AND URIBE'S UNEASY SUMMIT, A CARACAS READOUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 000986

SIPDIS

USSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL CO VE
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ AND URIBE'S UNEASY SUMMIT, A CARACAS READOUT

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Classified By: Daniel Lawton, Acting Political Counselor,
for Reason 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: President Hugo Chavez met Colombian
President Alvaro Uribe July 11 in the western Venezuelan city
of Punto Fijo and announced that both countries were "ready
to relaunch bilateral relations." However, in less than 48
hours Chavez took umbrage over comments by Colombian Defense
Minister Santos before being placated by Uribe. Despite the
mutual goal of improved relations, both leaders had
approached the summit with diametrically opposed agendas.
According to Colombian diplomats in Caracas, Uribe sought a
wide ranging summit with full delegations; Chavez only wanted
a meeting with his counterpart and a tightly controlled
event. Chavez gave ground on sticking points regarding
delegation size and a press conference, but a BRV accord for
a bi-national railroad and a joint summit statement never
came to fruition. Chavez displayed the flexibility and
statesmanship needed to put his unpopular and unproductive
Colombia strategy behind him before the November state and
municipal elections. End Summary.

A FIRST STEP
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2. (C) Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV) President
Hugo Chavez met his Colombian counterpart Alvaro Uribe for a
brief summit in the western Venezuelan city of Punto Fijo on
July 11. Following a tour of the Amuay oil refinery, Chavez
and Uribe spoke privately for two hours. According to
Colombian press attachQ (Protect) Juan Colorado, bi-national
security was Colombia's leading issue, but he did not have
details of the conversation. During the post-summit press
conference, Chavez said their meeting, originally scheduled
for 15 minutes, "started well and ended well." Chavez stated
that Venezuela and Colombia must work together to fight drug
trafficking, adding "we are ready to cooperate." According
to Colorado, a 15-point joint declaration was derailed when
Venezuela tried to insert a paragraph regarding Ingrid
Betancourt and the FARC. Both sides agreed to have
ministerial level meetings within 30 days aimed at reviving
the high level bi-lateral institutions.

STUMBLING OUT OF THE GATE
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3. (C) During the BRV hosted PetroCaribe summit on July 13 a
furious Chavez, reacting to Colombian Defense Minister
Santos' comment that he hoped Chavez stopped supporting the
FARC, told Uribe to "put your minister in his place". Chavez
likened Santos to a "sniper" shooting up their agreements and
asked if Santos answered to Uribe or the United States.
Uribe ameliorated Chavez by publicly instructing all
Colombian officials to exercise "prudence" and not upset the
new era of relations with Venezuela.

MORE THAN ONE WAY TO HOLD A SUMMIT
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4. (C) Although both presidents shared the same goal of
improved relations, each side approached the summit very
differently. Colorado told PolOff that when Chavez initially
proposed a summit, the Colombian Embassy in Caracas
recommended against Uribe meeting with Chavez. They saw it
as strengthening ChavezQ, image prior to Venezuela's regional
elections. Uribe declined their recommendation and
reportedly told his ambassador he was going for Colombia's
interests and not the Venezuelan oppositionQ,s. The
Colombians proposed a broad agenda that included bi-national
security cooperation, commerce and investment, tourism,
energy, infrastructure and cultural exchanges. The BRV
rejected Bogota's wide ranging seven point agenda, preferring
to keep the first meeting strictly on political themes.
Chavez had originally proposed Caracas as the venue but
quickly changed it to the oil refinery in remote Punto Fijo
when he realized that members of the opposition, Colombian
community and the media would try to meet with Uribe in
Caracas.


5. (C) Interestingly, the usually media-friendly Chavez did
not want a press conference. Colorado said his embassy had
to send a Diplomatic Note insisting on a post-summit press
conference. The BRV finally agreed but limited the press
conference to only three questions. Colorado explained that
another point of contention was over the inclusion of
Colombian Army Chief General Mario Montoya and a delegation
of Colombian business men. The BRV initially rejected the
additional members but Uribe held firm saying that he would
not participate without them. The BRV relented, sending Army
Operations Chief General Jesus Gonzalez Gonzalez but no
business leaders. The Venezuelans surprised the Colombians

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producing a Venezuelan MOU for a bi-national railroad joining
Puerto Cabello and La Guajira. The Colombians declined to
sign it without a thorough review and Colorado commented that
Venezuela expected the Colombians to Q&sign like Haiti in a
PetroCaribe deal.Q8


6. (C) Comment: This meeting was the first step down a long
and steep path to normal relations. The mercurial Chavez is
likely to overreact to any real or perceived offense from
Colombia. Chavez appears to be primarily interested in
burying his unpopular and unproductive strategy of vilifying
Colombia before the November state and municipal elections.
Two million Colombians reside in Venezuela with voting rights
thanks to Chavez and disaffected Colombians, particularly in
Caracas and western states, could tilt some local election in
the opposition's favor.
DUDDY