This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L  CARACAS 003826 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
NSC FOR CBARTON 
USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD 
STATE PASS USAID FOR DCHA/OTI 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2014 
TAGS: PREL PHUM ECON VE SP RS IR QA
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ'S ANTI-IMPERIALIST MISSIONARY JOURNEY 
 
REF: CARACAS 3639 
 
Classified By: Stephen G. McFarland, Deputy Chief of Mission, 
for Reasons 1.4(b). 
 
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Summary 
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¶1. (C) President Hugo Chavez visited Spain, Libya, Russia, 
Iran, and Qatar during November 23-30 as part of what GOV 
officials called an "international offensive" to promote the 
new phase of the Bolivarian Revolution.  In Spain, Chavez 
capitalized on Foreign Minister Moratino's assertion that the 
Aznar administration supported the April 2002 coup against 
Chavez.  In Libya, Muammar Qadhafi awarded Chavez a human 
rights award.  In Russia, Chavez told reporters of plans to 
purchase Russian weapons and other military equipment "to 
confront any aggression."  He also accused the United Sates 
of "having its hands" in the electoral crisis in Ukraine.  In 
Iran, President Ali Khatami praised Chavez for carrying out a 
revolution without violence and for resisting unilateralism 
in international affairs.  End summary. 
 
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Chavez Meets World 
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¶2. (C) President Hugo Chavez's trip to five countries was 
billed by the GOV as a chance to generate new commercial 
deals and to share Chavez's visions of a "multipolar world." 
Chavez visited Spain (11/22-23), Libya (11/24), Russia 
(11/25-26), Iran (11/27-29), and Qatar (11/30), a 50,000-mile 
tour that Chavez claimed marked a new era in Venezuelan 
diplomacy.  At each stop, Chavez touted his August 15 
"re-legitimation" in the recall vote, denounced U.S. 
coup-plotting and imperialism, and called for a worldwide 
movement of "popular democracy."  Traveling with Chavez 
during all or parts of the trip were Foreign Minister Ali 
Rodriguez, Minister of Defense Gen. Jorge Garcia Carneiro, 
Minister of Commerce and Production Wilmar Castro, Minister 
of Communications Andres Izarra, and Minister of Agriculture 
Arnoldo Marquez. 
 
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Spain:  All Is Forgiven, And There Is Much To Forgive 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
 
¶3. (U) Chavez arrived in the wake of Spanish Foreign Minister 
Miguel Angel Moratinos' assertion a few days earlier that the 
administration of Jose Maria Aznar had supported the 
temporary ousting of Chavez during April 2002.  Chavez 
dismissed it as water under the bridge, but added that he has 
no doubts Moratinos' comments are true.  Chavez claimed that 
when the government of Pedro Carmona was briefly installed 
during his absence, "the Spanish Ambassador in Caracas was 
the only ambassador, together with U.S. Ambassador, to 
recognize the tyrant."  Aznar's Partido Popular rebuked 
Chavez for overstepping his bounds during a diplomatic visit. 
 Chavez later told a group of union leaders that if the U.S. 
were to act militarily against Venezuela, not only 
Venezuelans but millions of Latin Americans would rebel 
against it. 
 
¶4. (U) During the visit to Spain, Chavez proposed the 
formation of a "Revolutionary Democratic International" 
similar to the Socialist International.  He said workers must 
free themselves from partisan connections and work toward 
"social justice."  Chavez proposed a binational fund to help 
solve the debt problems of Latin American countries.  Chavez 
also brought a delegation of businessmen, including some from 
the opposition, according to press reports, for commercial 
events with the Spanish private sector.  He highlighted 
investment opportunities in the Venezuelan oil sector as well 
as ongoing projects undertaken by the Spanish oil company 
Repsol.  Chavez, however, failed to show at a scheduled event 
at Spanish business confederation.  According to press 
reports, many disgusted Spanish businessmen walked out rather 
than listen to his substitute, Trade Minister Castro. 
(Chavez later dined with King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia 
on November 30, which Chavez described as the "broche de oro" 
("cherry on the sundae") of his trip.) 
 
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Libya: Dr. Chavez Wins Qadhafi Prize 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶5. (U) In Libya, Chavez received the Muammar Qadhafi Prize 
for Human Rights for his "tireless fight for liberty, 
justice, and the economic and political emancipation of his 
people and of all of Latin America."  (Previous winners from 
Latin America include Fidel Castro and Evo Morales.)  Former 
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega presented the award to 
Chavez, according to GOV press.  Chavez dedicated his award 
to the memory of deceased Palestinian leader Yassir Arafat 
and slain Venezuelan prosecutor Danilo Anderson.  Chavez also 
received an honorary doctorate from the "Academy of Popular 
Thought," which is the first such award granted to a head of 
state, according to official Libyan media.  Chavez did not 
divulge the details of his two meetings with Qadhafi, but 
praised the Libyan leader as a "friend and brother" who 
shares his thesis regarding the development of institutions 
to help the poor. 
 
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Russia:  Bullets, Ballots, and Barrels 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶6. (U) After a working lunch with Russian President Vladimir 
Putin, Chavez told reporters that Venezuela is modernizing 
and strengthening its armed forces to "confront any 
aggression."  He added that the GOV is in discussion with the 
GOR to purchase 40 helicopters, 100,000 automatic weapons, 
and a "large quantity of anti-tank and air defense weapons." 
Speaking about the Ukrainian electoral crisis, Chavez said 
one can feel the hand of Washington behind it... If there 
were elections on the moon or Mars, the United States would 
be there."  Chavez signed a joint declaration with Putin on a 
range of bilateral and multilateral issues.  The declaration 
included a Russian congratulations to Chavez for winning the 
recall referendum in an atmosphere of complete respect for 
the constitution, and with the endorsement of "prestigious 
international observers." 
 
¶7. (U) During a petroleum event in Russia, Chavez said the 
current OPEC price band of USD22-28 is no longer feasible, 
suggesting a new floor of USD30/bbl.  Venezuela state oil 
company PDVSA also reportedly signed a memo of understanding 
with Lukoil for increased cooperation in oil exploration and 
refinery.  Chavez told Russian oil firms they would be 
welcome to come and invest in Venezuela.  International press 
reports said the two leaders also signed an agreement 
supporting Russia's accession to the WTO. 
 
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Iran:  Standing Against Unilateralism 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶8. (U) In his meeting with Iranian President Mohammad 
Khatami, Chavez extolled the Iranian Revolution, which had in 
30 years a technological, social and political leap, "just at 
the Chinese did, and just as we are just beginning to do." 
Khatami praised Chavez for carrying out a revolution that 
relies on people rather than military or force, according to 
press reports.  Khatami said he shared Chavez's position of 
opposing unilateralism in the international community. 
 
¶9. (U) Chavez said one of the most notable achievements of 
this his fourth trip to Iran is that Venezuelan para-statal 
industrial corporation CVG and an Iranian state enterprise 
would enter into a joint venture under which Iranian tractor 
components would be assembled in Venezuela.  Chavez also said 
the GOV had agreed to buy 486 tractors direct from Iran that 
will be financed by PDVSA.  Chavez hoped to acquire Iranian 
technology for irrigation systems as well.  The two also 
agreed to cooperation in communications which would have the 
Iranians assisting with the installation of "TVSUR," Chavez's 
proposal for a South American television station.  Iran will 
also help Venezuela improve its domestic production of 
television programming.  On petroleum, Foreign Minister 
Rodriguez said he plans to have several meetings with GOI 
officials in December to finalize an agreement on 
petrochemicals. 
 
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Comment 
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¶10. (C) We think Chavez's goals were: 
 
-- showcase Venezuela's ability to deal with a broad swath of 
countries and leaders, building on post-referendum momentum; 
-- burnish Chavez's credentials as an independent who can 
challenge the U.S. and represent the oppressed; and 
-- advance various energy, commercial, and arms deals. 
 
¶11. (C) How he did: 
 
-- In Spain, Fonmin Moratinos criticized the Aznar government 
and the USG for supporting the 2002 coup.  His rapprochement 
with Spain may prove important as the EU assesses its policy 
toward Venezuela and Cuba. 
 
-- In Russia, he completed commercial deals and pushed oil 
investment. 
 
-- In Libya, he came off rather foolish as he accepted the 
Gaddafi human rights prize. 
 
-- In Iran and Qatar, he apparently continued oil, gas, and 
other commercial cooperation. 
 
-- Throughout the trip, Chavez ripped into the USG, choosing 
themes (need for multi-polarity etc.) that would resonate 
with the audience and that would boost Chavez's leadership 
and his vision for a hemisphere with reduced U.S. influence 
and participation. 
Brownfield 
 
 
NOTE: POSSIBLE INCORRECT REFTEL COUNTRY TAGS FOR 
IRAN, QATAR. POST NOT IN HEADER 
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      2004CARACA03826 - CONFIDENTIAL