(S/NF) VENEZUELA RESUMING FARC HOSTAGE

S E C R E T STATE 125738

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/08/2034
TAGS: PINR PINS PREL CO VE
SUBJECT: (S/NF) VENEZUELA RESUMING FARC HOSTAGE
NEGOTIATIONS. (C-AL9-02396)

Classified By: ELISSA G. PITTERLE, DIRECTOR, INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C).


1. (S/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS ARE INTERESTED IN THE ONGOING
NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE FARC AND COLOMBIA REGARDING THE
RELEASE OF HOSTAGES. WE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN ANY ROLE
VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ IS PLAYING IN THE
NEGOTIATIONS. AS TIME AND RESOURCES ALLOW, WE WOULD WELCOME
POSTS, INSIGHTS INTO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. MANY THANKS
FROM WASHINGTON.


A. (U) CHAVEZ:

1) (S/NF) WHO IS CHAVEZ TALKING TO REGARDING HOSTAGES (I.E.
THE FARC, OTHER GOVERNMENTS*SUCH AS THE SPANISH, THE FRENCH,
THE SWISS*INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, THE RED CROSS?)

2) (S/NF) IS CHAVEZ INTERESTED IN HOLDING SEPARATE PARALLEL
DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HOSTAGE RELEASES, AND IF SO, HOW DOES HE
PLAN ON ACCOMPLISHING THAT?

3) (S/NF) WHAT ARE THOSE INTERLOCUTORS, IMPRESSIONS OF
CHAVEZ'S INTENTIONS? WHAT ACTION(S) WOULD CHAVEZ WANT HIS
INTERLOCUTORS TO TAKE?

4) (S/NF) WHAT ARE CHAVEZ'S EXPECTATIONS OF SUCCESS IN
THESE NEGOTIATIONS?


2. (U) PLEASE CITE C-AL9-02396 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF
REPORTING IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS.
CLINTON