US embassy cable - 05PARIS7124

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 007124 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, PGOV, FR, VE 
SUBJECT: FRENCH ON CHAVEZ VISIT TO PARIS 
 
REF: STATE 186100 
 
Classified By: Political Minister-Counselor Josiah Rosenblatt, reasons 
1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) PolOff discussed reftel points with MFA Venezuela 
Desk Officer Lionel Paradisi on October 17 following an 
October 7 meeting on Venezuela that included MFA WHA 
A/S-equivalent Daniel Parfait, DAS-equivalent Michel Pinard, 
and Paradisi (septel).  The GoF confirmed that Chavez will 
visit Paris, arriving either late October 18 or early October 
19, and will depart October 20.  Chavez's visit includes 
meetings with the Prime Minister, the President, and MEDEF 
(Movement of French Enterprises), France's employers' 
association. 
 
2.  (C) Both Parfait and Pinard pledged the GoF would deliver 
a strong message urging Chavez to proceed with prudence and 
moderation, and to caution him about the effect property 
expropriations could have on his reputation overseas and on 
foreign investment.  Pinard said that the GoF would counsel 
Chavez to use oil largesse for improving the lot of the poor 
and the infrastructure of the country rather than for funding 
campaigns such as that of Evo Morales in Bolivia.   He also 
promised that France would caution Chavez about his links to 
countries such as Cuba and Iran, indicating the latter would 
certainly come up as a result of French participation in the 
EU3 effort. 
 
3.  (C) According to Paradisi, French assistance to Venezuela 
is limited to cooperation in cultural, education, and 
scientific areas.  The GoF supports sending EU observers to 
Venezuela for the December 4 elections, provided they are 
given assurances they will be able to freely conduct their 
work.  MFA contacts will meet with Venezuelan NGO Sumate 
October 18, before the Chavez visit.  The GoF has promised a 
readout of the visit after its completion. 
 
4.  (C) COMMENT: Although claiming to share our concerns and 
seemingly alarmed by possible regional instability, the GoF 
has determined that Chavez is likely to remain in power for 
the foreseeable future and has thus chosen engagement over 
open confrontation.  The GoF downplays the threat posed by 
recent Venezuelan arms and military purchases and view the 
human rights situation in Venezuela as better than in many 
other countries -- specifically Colombia.  It is our view 
that the GoF may confront Chavez about meddling in the 
affairs of neighboring countries and his overtures to Iran, 
but it is unlikely that its message on human rights will be 
particularly hard hitting.  END COMMENT. 
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm 
STAPLETON