US embassy cable - 04THEHAGUE3005

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 003005 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KDEM, VE, NL, EUN 
SUBJECT: VENEZUELA/NETHERLANDS/EU: EU PESSIMISTIC BUT 
INCONCLUSIVE 
 
REF: A. A) BRUSSELS 4661 
     B. B) STATE 223273 
 
Classified By: Pol Counselor Andrew Schofer for reasons 1.4 (b/d) 
 
(C) Dutch desk officer for South America Dimitri Vogelaar 
told poloff November 17 that EU participants at the November 
16 COLAT meeting reached agreement on the analysis presented 
by EU Heads of Mission (HOMs) in Caracas, but that concrete 
actions would not be discussed until December. According to 
Vogelaar, the HOMs report painted a pessimistic political and 
economic picture: it described a serious lack of democratic 
values in Venezuelan society, an institutional politicization 
of the judiciary, an opposition failing to address basic 
societal needs including poverty reduction and sustainable 
development, a macroeconomic dependence on oil, and an 
unsustainable business environment.  Vogelaar noted that 
participants were relieved about the postponement of the 
Sumate hearing, which they felt continued to constitute a 
"worrisome development," but they did not reach agreement on 
the appropriate manner in which to address the issue -- some 
members favored a troika demarche on the GOV while others 
favored issuing "another" declaration.  Reaching agreement on 
the situation's analysis, but lacking consensus for a way 
forward, EU Heads of Mission were asked to present concrete 
recommendations at the next COLAT meeting to be held December 
14. 
SOBEL