US embassy cable - 04PARIS5730

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 005730 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2014 
TAGS: FR, PREL, VE, ELAB 
SUBJECT: FRENCH LABOR CONCERNED WITH VENEZUELA 
 
 
Classified By: POL M/C JOSIAH ROSENBLATT FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D 
 
1.  (SBU) Emboffs met July 23 at the unions' request with 
Michele Simonnin, of the trade union Workers' Strength 
(CGT-FO) and Philippe Selva of the General Confederation of 
Workers (CGT), two of the three largest labor unions in 
France, to discuss US foreign policy regarding Venezuela. 
The labor representatives presented Laboff and Poloff with a 
French translation of labor declarations from organizations 
in Brazil and Peru critical of US "interference" in Venezuela 
that seemed to have been specifically edited for their 
meeting with Emboffs (faxed to WHA/AND).  The labor 
representatives opened by expressing concern for Venezuelan 
sovereignty, and posing two questions:  why had the U.S. 
Congress been holding discussions on "internal Venezuelan 
matters," and why was the USG (sic) financing the August 15 
referendum? 
 
2. (SBU)  Poloffs clarified the first point by providing the 
context of WHA A/S Roger Noriega's June 24 remarks to the 
Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western 
Hemisphere.  Ms. Simonnin appeared to have been at least 
marginally reassured to learn that A/S Noriega's remarks had 
been made as part of the normal discussions that exist 
between Department of State officials and the Congress 
concerning U.S. foreign policy.  Emboffs addressed the second 
point by explaining the status of the National Endowment for 
Democracy and its funding process, but the visitors remained 
skeptical of NED motives.  Poloffs reviewed USG policy, 
noting multilateral support for OAS Resolution 833, our 
desire to see an open and transparent referendum next month 
and our support for OAS and Carter Center observers. 
 
3.  (SBU) In discussing USG policy, the labor representatives 
seemed more focused on an ideal regarding Venezuelan 
sovereignty than the complex realities of international 
relations.  They attempted to twist Emboffs' statements, 
asking several times whether the USG considered the Chavez 
government legitimate and questioning the degradation of 
U.S.-Venezuelan relations.  Emboffs explained USG policy, and 
said the USG strives for good relations with Venezuela, as 
evidenced by the encouraging tone of A/S Noriega's comments. 
 
4. (C) Comment.  The two union representatives genuinely 
seemed to believe the USG had taken the first steps in a 
scenario likely to lead to a military invasion of Venezuela 
to protect the interests of U.S. oil companies and/or 
consumers.  They alluded to supposed indicators, e.g., "the 
history of U.S. involvement in overthrowing democratically 
elected Latin American governments," and  "the invasion of 
Iraq because of U.S. oil interests."  Although the visitors 
were pleased to have had a chance to present their concerns, 
the force of their misconceptions was striking.  End comment. 
Wolff 
 
 
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