US embassy cable - 05PARIS5106

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 005106 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, FR, VE 
SUBJECT: FRENCH RESPONSE TO VENEZUELA DEMARCHE 
 
REF: A. STATE 17165 
     B. 04 PARIS 7699 
     C. PARIS 993 
 
Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Paul Mailhot, reasons 1.4 (b) 
 and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary: Poloff delivered ref A demarche July 20 to 
MFA Venezuela desk officer Hedi Picquart.  Picquart said that 
the GOF shared many of our concerns about the Chavez 
government, particularly in light of recent GOV activities 
regarding the French oil company Total.  At least for the 
time being, however, the GOF seems willing to accept the 
status quo.  Picquart added that it is difficult to predict 
the future of Venezuela, and, while the situation is 
disquieting, it does not yet warrant alarm.  Picquart stated 
that the GOF preferred to "give Chavez the benefit of the 
doubt" for the moment, maintaining a policy of "positive 
engagement" while remaining "vigilant" to moves towards 
authoritarianism.  Chavez visited Paris in March; no high 
level GOV delegations are currently scheduled.  End Summary. 
 
Total's Problems 
---------------- 
2.  (C) Picquart expressed bewilderment at the recent actions 
of the Venezuelan state-owned oil company against Total. 
Chavez had sought out Total and initiated the March drilling 
agreements, so it seemed bizarre that the GOV was now 
announcing tax fraud and claiming that contracts had been 
violated.  Such actions, and a lack of respect for 
international law, could have a negative impact on foreign 
investment, according to Picquart. 
 
Human Rights and Rule of Law 
---------------------------- 
3.  (C) In previous discussions on Venezuelan human rights, 
the GOF has maintained that the creation and implementation 
of laws was an internal matter (ref B).  However, Picquart 
characterized the trial of four members of the NGO Sumate as 
indicative of the direction Chavez is taking, and if severe 
sentences were imposed, this would raise French concerns. 
Picquart wondered if Chavez might be planning to reduce 
sentences levied by the court in order to undercut Washington 
criticism, while at the same time feigning compassion. 
Regarding recently passed press laws, Picquart judged that 
the Venezuelan press still operated with great freedom, 
noting that there were no imprisoned journalists in 
Venezuela, while also conceding that there may be 
self-censorship among some members of the media.  The 
appointment of additional members of the Venezuelan Supreme 
Court was potentially dangerous, Picquart stated, but there 
had not yet been any decisions that would indicate there was 
no longer an independent judiciary. 
 
Elections 
--------- 
4.  (C) Picquart noted positively that the National Electoral 
Council (CNE) had accepted the idea of EU observers in 
upcoming elections and agreed to allow the OAS to audit 
voting machine software.  When the EU offered observers for 
last August's referendum, he said, the GOV had placed such 
limiting restrictions on them that their ability to 
accurately judge the fairness and transparency of the 
elections would have been undermined and, thus, they did not 
participate.  The EU will evaluate any similar conditions 
before reaching a decision on participation, probably at the 
COLAT meeting in Brussels in September. 
 
Military Expansion 
------------------ 
5.  (C) Picquart indicated that the French do not view 
Venezuela's recent military acquisitions with our level of 
misgiving.  He reiterated the GOF counterargument to concerns 
about Russian rifles ending up in hands of Marxist rebels, 
stating that the FARC are sufficiently armed and have no need 
of additional weapons (ref C).  On the subject of Spanish 
military sales, Picquart rationalized that the patrol boats 
could be effective in the counternarcotics effort and the 
planes sold were only transport vehicles and incapable of 
offensive attacks.  Picquart hinted at potential GOF unease 
concerning the buildup of the fighting force -- an enlarged 
reserves to fight narcotrafficking could be positive, but if 
done simply to bulk up the standing army then it could be 
more suspect. 
 
Comment 
------- 
6.  (C) In almost every area of discussion, the GOF seems to 
acknowledge our concerns, yet not share our sense of urgency. 
 While freely admitting that Chavez is a populist, Picquart 
argued that he had not yet shown himself to be an 
authoritarian.  Picquart emphasized that this justified a GOF 
policy of "positive engagement" in order to avoid pushing 
Chavez towards Cuba and Iran, citing training programs for 
judges, customs officials, and hostage rescue teams as 
evidence of GOF commitment to helping Venezuela.  Ultimately, 
the GOF is still several steps behind in its assessment of 
Chavez.  It appears willing to live with the status quo, 
while pledging to be "vigilant" against any worsening of the 
situation.  End Comment. 
STAPLETON