JAMAICA: DELIVERY OF DEMARCHE RE PRESSURE ON THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 000653

SIPDIS

WHA/CAR (ANDRE CADIEUX)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/23/2018
TAGS: COL VE HR EUN PTER AF SNAR PGOV PREL JM XL
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: DELIVERY OF DEMARCHE RE PRESSURE ON THE
FARC

REF: STATE 77205 (172314Z JUL 08)

Classified By: Charge Lloyd W. Moss, Reasons 1.5 (B) and (D)

1.(C) Per reftel, Charge delivered points regarding
maintenance of pressure on the FARC to the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade's Director of Bilateral
Relations, Courtenay Rattray, and Colombia Desk Officer
Melissa Johnson, in a private meeting on July 22.

2.(C) In response, Rattray observed that Jamaica and the
U.S. shared common concerns and a common position with
respect to the FARC. He then noted that Washington recently
had designated Venezuela as not fully cooperative in
counter-narcotics efforts, and asked whether the U.S. was
contemplating any additional steps against Venezuela, noting
that Jamaica and Venezuela enjoy an important trading
relationship. Rattray then referred to a recent visit to
Caracas by staff of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations
Committee, and said he understood that key figures in
Congress had cautioned against the U.S. taking any action
against Venezuela, as this would only serve to "shore up"
support for Chavez. Charge replied that the Embassy was
unaware of any contemplated U.S. actions against Venezuela.


3.(C) Post will report any further inquiries.
MOSS