US embassy cable - 04CARACAS3271

C O N F I D E N T I A L  CARACAS 003271 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
NSC FOR C. BARTON 
USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: 
DECL: 12/08/2013 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PHUM, KDEM, VE 
SUBJECT: VENEZUELAN AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES BILATERAL AGENDA 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor Abelardo A. Arias for 
reason 1.4 (d). 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1.  (C)  Venezuela's Ambassador to the U.S. Bernardo Alvarez_ 
told us October 18 he is amenable to meeting with National 
Endowment for Democracy (NED) President Carl Gershman to 
discuss GoV perspectives regarding NED support to NGOs such 
as Sumate.  In a breakfast meeting with Ambassador and 
PolCouns, Alvarez_ also welcomed the Ambassador's offer to 
begin discussion of ideas for an agenda for possible 
bilateral discussions.  The Ambassador noted that better 
communication can help with issues such as the Sumate 
controversy or trafficking in persons.  Alvarez_ highlighted 
the cooperation on the case of the Venezuelan soldiers 
seeking asylum whose extradition has been requested as a sign 
of how an issue can be handled positively.  End Summary. 
 
2.  (C) The Ambassador and Venezuela's Ambassador to the U.S. 
Bernardo Alvarez_ met over breakfast at the Residence October 
18.  PolCouns and MFA Director General Temir Porras 
accompanied the Ambassadors. 
 
3.  (C) Discussing the case against the NGO Sumate, Alvarez_ 
told the Ambassador that he had received a letter from 
National Endowment for Democracy (NED) President Carl 
Gershman prior to leaving Washington requesting a meeting. 
Alvarez_ said he was amenable to such a meeting to help 
resolve the controversy over NED funding for Venezuelan NGOs. 
 The Ambassador encouraged Alvarez_ to speak with Gershman as 
soon as he returned.  Having such a meeting, the Ambassador 
emphasized, would be an important first step, especially 
since the GoV could expect more Washington attention to the 
Sumate case.  Alvarez_ acknowledged that the GoV's pursuit of 
the Sumate is costing him some of the ground he has gained 
for the GoV in Washington. 
 
4.  (C) Alvarez_ told the Ambassador that, unlike USAID 
activities which focus on reconciliation, the NED's $1 
million funding of activities in Venezuela since April 2002 
has been directed at undermining the GoV.  He warned that 
researchers looking into the activities are tracing the links 
of government opponents to the NED and then the Department of 
State.  Alvarez_ asked rhetorically whether it is not against 
U.S. law for organizations to receive funding for political 
reasons.  (The Ambassador told Alvarez_ he believed our only 
restrictions relate specifically to election campaign 
funding.)  He said he ensures that "his people" maintain 
meticulous records to comply with the Foreign Agents 
Registration Act. 
 
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Pursuing the Bilateral Agenda 
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5.  (C) The two Ambassadors agreed that it is important to 
find avenues to improve communications between our two 
governments.  The Ambassador offered to put together for 
Alvarez_ a list of possible points for discussion which the 
Venezuelans could consider and amend.  Once we have agreement 
on the list of points here, the Ambassador said, he would 
then propose them to Washington.  Determining whether or at 
what level the discussions would take place would follow, he 
told Alvarez_. 
 
6.  (C) The Ambassador noted that what occurred with the 
trafficking in persons report, and subsequent sanctions, is 
an example of the need for better communication.  He told 
Alvarez_ that we understand that the GoV may have been 
otherwise preoccupied between June and August, but now the 
effects were being felt as with the World Bank loan for 
Venezuela's judiciary. 
 
7.  (C) Alvarez_ noted that recent developments in the case of 
the two Venezuelan soldiers (who sought asylum in the U.S. 
and whose extradition the GoV has requested) were a sign of 
how the two sides can handle an issue positively.  Alvarez_ 
added that we "could expect paper" on (the extradition) of 
Robert Alonso soon.  (Note:  The GoV has charged Alonso in 
the case of the alleged Colombian paramilitaries who 
reportedly were poised to attack Caracas earlier this year.) 
Alvarez_ also suggested that the GoV would like to move to 
 
conclude the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty. 
 
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Comment 
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8.  (C) Alvarez_ was clear that the GoV would like to pursue 
talks with us.  He accepted that there are areas where we are 
not going to find common ground, but is willing to test the 
waters in others.  As for Sumate and NED, he gave no 
indication that the GoV would relent.  To the contrary, 
taking note of his warning about the work of researchers, 
there is more in store, including the possibility of gambling 
on making Sumate's Maria Corina Machado a martyr.  While some 
parts of the GoV may attempt to disassociate themselves from 
aspersions cast against U.S. institutions and the USG, we do 
not expect them to bring them to a halt. 
Brownfield 
 
 
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