Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08GUATEMALA600
2008-05-09 18:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Guatemala
Cable title:
COLOM SAYS PETROCARIBE NEGOTIATIONS AT "IMPASSE"
how-toVZCZCXYZ0010 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHGT #0600 1301807 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 091807Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5329 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 000600
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2018
TAGS: PREL ENRG ECON VZ GT
SUBJECT: COLOM SAYS PETROCARIBE NEGOTIATIONS AT "IMPASSE"
REF: A. GUATEMALA 288
B. GUATEMALA 178
CLASSIFIED BY: Ambassador James M. Derham for reasons 1.4 (B&D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 000600
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2018
TAGS: PREL ENRG ECON VZ GT
SUBJECT: COLOM SAYS PETROCARIBE NEGOTIATIONS AT "IMPASSE"
REF: A. GUATEMALA 288
B. GUATEMALA 178
CLASSIFIED BY: Ambassador James M. Derham for reasons 1.4 (B&D).
1. (U) President Alvaro Colom told press May 8 that the GOG's
discussions with the Government of Venezuela about a PetroCaribe deal
are at an "impasse." "We do not want to get into the fuels business;
that's not a government function," Colom reportedly told journalists.
Colom also dismissed the possibility that he would raise PetroCaribe
with President Chavez later this month in Peru, where the two are
scheduled to attend the EU-Latin American Summit. Press also qote
Minister of Energy and Mines Carlos Meany assaying that Venezuela has
not been forthcoming wth concrete data on pricing and deliveries that
would allow the GOG to make a decision.
2. (C) Comment: President Colom's latest comments are in contrast to
his previous, positive statements on PetroCaribe membership. A
recurring theme in Embassy conversations with senior GOG officials
participating in the PetroCaribe negotiations has been the discrepancy
in GOG and GOV interests: the Venezuelans have reportedly prioritized
the political gesture of signing a deal (and working out the details
later),whereas the GOG has prioritized nailing down agreement on
pricing and delivery schedules (refs a and b). The GOG has remained
uncomfortable with the Venezuelan recommendation that it establish a
state oil company. Embassy officers have repeatedly urged the GOG to
weigh carefully the pros and cons of a PetroCaribe deal, and suggested
that the MFA ask current PetroCaribe members about their experiences
with Venezuelan compliance with the terms of agreements. The
influential private sector and some media have also urged the GOG not
to sign.
DERHAM
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2018
TAGS: PREL ENRG ECON VZ GT
SUBJECT: COLOM SAYS PETROCARIBE NEGOTIATIONS AT "IMPASSE"
REF: A. GUATEMALA 288
B. GUATEMALA 178
CLASSIFIED BY: Ambassador James M. Derham for reasons 1.4 (B&D).
1. (U) President Alvaro Colom told press May 8 that the GOG's
discussions with the Government of Venezuela about a PetroCaribe deal
are at an "impasse." "We do not want to get into the fuels business;
that's not a government function," Colom reportedly told journalists.
Colom also dismissed the possibility that he would raise PetroCaribe
with President Chavez later this month in Peru, where the two are
scheduled to attend the EU-Latin American Summit. Press also qote
Minister of Energy and Mines Carlos Meany assaying that Venezuela has
not been forthcoming wth concrete data on pricing and deliveries that
would allow the GOG to make a decision.
2. (C) Comment: President Colom's latest comments are in contrast to
his previous, positive statements on PetroCaribe membership. A
recurring theme in Embassy conversations with senior GOG officials
participating in the PetroCaribe negotiations has been the discrepancy
in GOG and GOV interests: the Venezuelans have reportedly prioritized
the political gesture of signing a deal (and working out the details
later),whereas the GOG has prioritized nailing down agreement on
pricing and delivery schedules (refs a and b). The GOG has remained
uncomfortable with the Venezuelan recommendation that it establish a
state oil company. Embassy officers have repeatedly urged the GOG to
weigh carefully the pros and cons of a PetroCaribe deal, and suggested
that the MFA ask current PetroCaribe members about their experiences
with Venezuelan compliance with the terms of agreements. The
influential private sector and some media have also urged the GOG not
to sign.
DERHAM