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 CARACAS 00000986 001.2 OF 002 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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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 CARACAS 00000986 002.2 OF 002 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