Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CARACAS117
2009-01-29 15:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:
CHAVEZ MAINTAINS MANEUVERING ROOM REGARDING OBAMA
how-toVZCZCXRO8154 PP RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHCV #0117 0291514 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 291514Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY CARACAS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2503 INFO RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000117
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL VE
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ MAINTAINS MANEUVERING ROOM REGARDING OBAMA
AND NEW ADMINISTRATION
REF: CARACAS 0077
Classified By: Political Counselor Francisco Fernandez
for Reason 1.4 (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000117
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL VE
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ MAINTAINS MANEUVERING ROOM REGARDING OBAMA
AND NEW ADMINISTRATION
REF: CARACAS 0077
Classified By: Political Counselor Francisco Fernandez
for Reason 1.4 (d).
1. (SBU) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has softened his
comments towards President Obama in recent days. Backing
away from his previous attacks, Chavez declared on January 24
that he was "pleased" with Obama's decree to close the
Guantanamo detention center and that the new American
president deserved "a waiting period." The Venezuelan
strongman credited a letter from Fidel Castro praising Obama
as "a man with good intentions." Picking up on a line from
the inaugural address, Chavez added "our hands are open and
we're full of hope."
2. (SBU) Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro, who on January 20
called Obama's comments about Venezuela on Univision "false,
offensive and ignorant," was qualifying U.S. - Venezuelan
relations on January 27 as "progressing correctly and in the
best way possible." Maduro added that there was optimism
that "windows would open" during April's Summit of the
Americas in Trinidad. The Foreign Minister tempered
journalists optimism by noting "it would take some time,"
before ambassadors could be exchanged.
3. (C) Comment: Ever the tactician, Chavez has quickly
backed off attacking the popular new president to support his
short term domestic political agenda. However, like previous
promises of improved relations, this softening does not
necessarily presage a strategic reassessment of our bilateral
relations. End Comment.
CAULFIELD
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL VE
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ MAINTAINS MANEUVERING ROOM REGARDING OBAMA
AND NEW ADMINISTRATION
REF: CARACAS 0077
Classified By: Political Counselor Francisco Fernandez
for Reason 1.4 (d).
1. (SBU) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has softened his
comments towards President Obama in recent days. Backing
away from his previous attacks, Chavez declared on January 24
that he was "pleased" with Obama's decree to close the
Guantanamo detention center and that the new American
president deserved "a waiting period." The Venezuelan
strongman credited a letter from Fidel Castro praising Obama
as "a man with good intentions." Picking up on a line from
the inaugural address, Chavez added "our hands are open and
we're full of hope."
2. (SBU) Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro, who on January 20
called Obama's comments about Venezuela on Univision "false,
offensive and ignorant," was qualifying U.S. - Venezuelan
relations on January 27 as "progressing correctly and in the
best way possible." Maduro added that there was optimism
that "windows would open" during April's Summit of the
Americas in Trinidad. The Foreign Minister tempered
journalists optimism by noting "it would take some time,"
before ambassadors could be exchanged.
3. (C) Comment: Ever the tactician, Chavez has quickly
backed off attacking the popular new president to support his
short term domestic political agenda. However, like previous
promises of improved relations, this softening does not
necessarily presage a strategic reassessment of our bilateral
relations. End Comment.
CAULFIELD