US embassy cable - 04BRUSSELS4516

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 004516 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PHUM, KDEM, EAID, VE, EUN, USEU BRUSSELS 
SUBJECT: EU NONCOMMITTAL ON SPEAKING OUT RE VENEZUELA 
 
REF: A. A) STATE 223273 
 
     B. B) THE HAGUE 2704 
 
Classified By: USEU POLOFF TODD HUIZINGA, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) 
 
 1. (U) This is an action recommendation -- see para 3. 
 
2. (C) Poloff delivered reftel A points on October 19 to 
David Bruck, Venezuela Desk Officer in the External Relations 
Directorate-General of the European Commission.  He said the 
Commission is monitoring developments in Venezuela very 
carefully, and shares U.S. concerns about the three steps the 
GOV is poised to take.  Later, Bruck called to report that 
the Dutch EU Presidency, at the October 19 meeting of the EU 
Working Group on Latin America (COLAT), had told of having 
received reftel demarche (ref B).  The Dutch drew the 
attention of the COLAT to the issues of concern, and decided 
to task EU Heads of Mission (HOMs) in Caracas to "investigate 
further" and report back to capitals before the next COLAT on 
November 16.  Bruck said there was no discussion of the 
urgency of issuing a joint EU statement in time to have a 
positive impact, and he opined that it would be difficult for 
the EU to decide on a course of action before November 16. 
 
3. (C) ACTION RECOMMENDATION:  EU HOMs in Caracas could help, 
if they share our sense of urgency.  Department may want to 
consider approaching them directly to urge them to 
communicate to their capitals the need for quick action.  END 
ACTION RECOMMENDATION. 
 
SCHNABEL