Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08WARSAW1312
2008-11-17 14:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Warsaw
Cable title:
FORMER POLISH PRESIDENT WALESA STILL INTENDS TO
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHWR #1312 3221411 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 171411Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY WARSAW TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7334 INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0090
C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 001312
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV PL VE
SUBJECT: FORMER POLISH PRESIDENT WALESA STILL INTENDS TO
VISIT VENEZUELA IN FUTURE
REF: CARACAS 1559
Classified By: Political Counselor F. Daniel Sainz for Reasons
1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 001312
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV PL VE
SUBJECT: FORMER POLISH PRESIDENT WALESA STILL INTENDS TO
VISIT VENEZUELA IN FUTURE
REF: CARACAS 1559
Classified By: Political Counselor F. Daniel Sainz for Reasons
1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Post appreciates and concurs with Embassy Caracas'
reporting (reftel) on the aborted visit of former Polish
President Lech Walesa to Venezuela. Although they were not
responsible for arranging Walesa's visit, MFA officials
downplayed "exaggerated" Polish press coverage of the visit
cancellation, noting that Walesa was not declared "persona
non grata," and that the Venezuelan Government did not
suggest explicitly that he would be unwelcome in the future.
According to Ewa Kinast, Deputy Director of the MFA Americas
Department, the former president canceled his visit when
informed that Venezuelan authorities would not be able to
provide adequate security on such short notice. Kinast told
us that Walesa still intended to visit Venezuela in the
future to promote his pro-democracy theme -- but not before
the November 23 elections.
2. (SBU) Despite MFA attempts to downplay official
Venezuelan antagonism to a Walesa visit, Piotr Gulczynski,
head of the Warsaw-based Lech Walesa Institute, told the
media earlier this month that the cancellation was "a sign
that they do not want him there." Walesa told media that the
suggestion that he not travel to Venezuela at this time was
probably a response to his frequent criticism of President
Hugo Chavez and his refusal to meet with the Venezuelan
President.
ASHE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV PL VE
SUBJECT: FORMER POLISH PRESIDENT WALESA STILL INTENDS TO
VISIT VENEZUELA IN FUTURE
REF: CARACAS 1559
Classified By: Political Counselor F. Daniel Sainz for Reasons
1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Post appreciates and concurs with Embassy Caracas'
reporting (reftel) on the aborted visit of former Polish
President Lech Walesa to Venezuela. Although they were not
responsible for arranging Walesa's visit, MFA officials
downplayed "exaggerated" Polish press coverage of the visit
cancellation, noting that Walesa was not declared "persona
non grata," and that the Venezuelan Government did not
suggest explicitly that he would be unwelcome in the future.
According to Ewa Kinast, Deputy Director of the MFA Americas
Department, the former president canceled his visit when
informed that Venezuelan authorities would not be able to
provide adequate security on such short notice. Kinast told
us that Walesa still intended to visit Venezuela in the
future to promote his pro-democracy theme -- but not before
the November 23 elections.
2. (SBU) Despite MFA attempts to downplay official
Venezuelan antagonism to a Walesa visit, Piotr Gulczynski,
head of the Warsaw-based Lech Walesa Institute, told the
media earlier this month that the cancellation was "a sign
that they do not want him there." Walesa told media that the
suggestion that he not travel to Venezuela at this time was
probably a response to his frequent criticism of President
Hugo Chavez and his refusal to meet with the Venezuelan
President.
ASHE