US embassy cable - 04THEHAGUE2704

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002704 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR AND WHA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, PREL, KDEM, VE, NL, EUN 
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/EU/VENEZUELA: SPEAKING OUT ON HUMAN 
RIGHTS 
 
REF: STATE 223272 
 
Classified By: POL Counselor Andrew Schofer for reasons 1.4 (b/d) 
 
1. (C) Summary: The Dutch share U.S. concerns about a 
deteriorating political and human rights situation in 
Venezuela, but as EU President are reluctant to voice 
criticism before consulting with other EU members.  The EU 
does not plan to discuss a collective post-referendum 
strategy toward Venezuela formally until November 16, but the 
issue could come up under "other business" at an October 19 
internal working party meeting.  End Summary. 
 
2. (C) Poloff delivered ref message to Venezuela desk officer 
Dimitri Vogelaar on October 18.  Vogelaar replied that the 
Dutch and EU remain concerned about the situation in 
Venezuela, which he agreed appears to be deteriorating after 
the referendum.  Vogelaar noted that Chavez appears to have 
waited until after the referendum to "go after" the 
opposition.  Vogelaar added that the Dutch would add a fourth 
concern to reftel list: the politicization of the Tribunal 
Suprema de Justicia, the highest legislative body in 
Venezuela, to which he said Chavez has appointed several 
Chavista justices. 
 
EU to Strategize November 16 
---------------------------- 
 
3. (C) Vogelaar said that EU Heads of Mission in Caracas are 
scheduled to provide the EU internal COLAT meeting on 
November 16 with their analyses of the post-referendum 
situation and recommendations for the path forward.  Vogelaar 
did not expect any significant EU action prior to that 
meeting.  After Poloff pressed that November 16 was too late 
for the decision on Sumate leaders, Vogelaar acknowledged 
that separate coordinated statements before November were 
"always a possibility."  While Venezuela is not on the agenda 
for the October 19 EU COLAT meeting, he added, the issue 
could always be raised under "other business."  Vogelaar 
promised to discuss the situation with the Dutch Ambassador 
in Venezuela and others. 
 
Dutch Ready to Respond 
---------------------- 
 
4. (C) Vogelaar emphasized that the EU would certainly 
"respond" to a decision to arrest Sumate leaders, which he 
agreed "would be a a disaster" for Venezuelan democracy and 
human rights.  Vogelaar appeared particularly concerned about 
reftel information regarding a potential draft law 
criminalizing all foreign support for human rights and 
political expression, and said that if this is the case 
"there absolutely would be action."  Regarding the draft 
media law, Vogelaar said the Dutch and EU had spoken out 
repeatedly criticizing the draft media law, which had been an 
issue of concern even before the referendum. 
SOBEL