

Currently released so far... 12404 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
ASEC
AE
AF
AM
AR
AJ
AU
AORC
AG
AEMR
AMGT
APER
AGMT
AL
AFIN
AO
AMED
ADCO
AS
ABUD
ABLD
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APECO
AID
AND
AMBASSADOR
AN
ARM
AY
AODE
AMG
ASCH
AMCHAMS
ARF
APCS
APEC
ASEAN
AGAO
ANET
ADPM
ACOA
ACABQ
AORL
AFFAIRS
ATRN
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ADANA
ASIG
AA
AX
AUC
AC
AECL
AADP
AGRICULTURE
AMEX
ACAO
ACBAQ
AQ
AORG
ADM
AINF
AIT
ASEX
AGR
AROC
ATFN
AFGHANISTAN
AFU
AER
ALOW
AZ
AVERY
BA
BY
BU
BR
BE
BL
BO
BK
BM
BILAT
BH
BEXP
BF
BTIO
BC
BBSR
BMGT
BTIU
BG
BWC
BB
BD
BX
BP
BRUSSELS
BN
BIDEN
BT
CW
CH
CF
CD
CV
CVIS
CM
CE
CA
CJAN
CLINTON
CIA
CU
CASC
CI
CO
CACM
CDB
CN
CMGT
CS
CG
CBW
CIS
CR
CONDOLEEZZA
CPAS
CAN
CWC
CY
COUNTER
CDG
CL
CT
CIC
CIDA
CSW
CHR
CB
CODEL
COUNTERTERRORISM
CTR
COM
CICTE
CFED
CJUS
CKGR
CBSA
CEUDA
CARSON
CONS
CITEL
CLMT
CROS
CITT
CAC
CVR
CDC
CAPC
COPUOS
CBC
CBE
CARICOM
COE
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CTM
CNARC
ECON
EFIN
ETRD
EUN
EFIS
EG
ETTC
EZ
EPET
EAID
EAGR
ENRG
ECUN
EU
ELAB
ECPS
EAIR
EINV
ELTN
EWWT
EIND
EMIN
EI
ECIN
ENVR
ELECTIONS
EINVEFIN
EN
ES
ER
EC
EUC
EINT
EINVETC
ENGR
ET
EK
ENIV
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ECONOMY
EAP
EFTA
EUR
EUMEM
EXIM
ERD
ENERG
EUREM
ESA
ERNG
EXTERNAL
EPA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
ECONOMICS
ELN
EINN
EFINECONCS
ENNP
EEPET
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ENVI
ETRO
ESENV
ECINECONCS
ECONOMIC
EAIDS
EDU
ETRA
ETRN
EFIM
EIAR
ETRC
EAIG
EXBS
EURN
ECIP
EREL
ECA
ENGY
ECONCS
ECONEFIN
ETC
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINDETRD
IR
IZ
IS
IAEA
INRB
IRAJ
IQ
IN
IT
IMO
INTERPOL
ICAO
IO
IC
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
ICTY
ID
IPR
IWC
ILC
INTELSAT
IL
IBRD
IMF
IA
IRC
ICRC
ILO
ITU
ITRA
IV
IDA
IAHRC
ICJ
ISRAELI
IRS
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
IZPREL
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITF
IBET
IEFIN
INR
IACI
INTERNAL
IDP
IGAD
IEA
ICTR
IIP
INRA
INRO
IF
KJUS
KSCA
KNNP
KU
KCOR
KCRM
KDEM
KTFN
KHLS
KPAL
KWBG
KACT
KGHG
KPAO
KTIA
KIRF
KWMN
KS
KG
KZ
KN
KMDR
KISL
KSPR
KHIV
KPRP
KAWK
KR
KUNR
KDRG
KCIP
KGCC
KTIP
KSUM
KPKO
KVIR
KAWC
KPIN
KGIC
KRAD
KIPR
KOLY
KCFE
KMCA
KE
KV
KICC
KNPP
KBCT
KSEP
KFRD
KFLU
KVPR
KOCI
KBIO
KSTH
KMPI
KCRS
KOMC
KTBT
KPLS
KIRC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFLO
KBTS
KSTC
KTDB
KFSC
KX
KFTFN
KNEI
KIDE
KREC
KMRS
KICA
KPAONZ
KCGC
KSAF
KRGY
KCMR
KRVC
KVRP
KSEO
KCOM
KAID
KTEX
KNUC
KNAR
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KLIG
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCRCM
KHDP
KGIT
KNSD
KOMS
KWMM
KPAI
KHSA
KTLA
KO
KMFO
KRCM
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KPWR
KID
KWNM
KRIM
KPOA
KCHG
KOM
KSCI
KFIN
KMOC
KESS
KWAC
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KPRV
KBTR
KERG
KTER
KDDG
KPAK
KRFD
KHUM
KDEV
KCFC
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KJUST
MARR
MOPS
MU
MTCRE
MNUC
MY
MASS
MCAP
MOPPS
MAR
MPOS
MO
ML
MR
MASC
MX
MD
MP
MA
MTRE
MIL
MCC
MZ
MK
MDC
MRCRE
MAPS
MV
MI
MEPN
MAPP
MEETINGS
MAS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTCR
MG
MC
MARAD
MIK
MILITARY
MEDIA
MEPI
MUCN
MEPP
MT
MERCOSUR
MW
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
NZ
NATO
NG
NI
NO
NATIONAL
NU
NPT
NIPP
NL
NPG
NS
NA
NGO
NP
NSG
NDP
NAFTA
NR
NC
NH
NE
NSF
NPA
NK
NSSP
NRR
NATOPREL
NSC
NT
NW
NORAD
NEW
NV
NSFO
NAR
NASA
NZUS
OTRA
OVIP
OPRC
OPDC
OSCE
OAS
ODIP
OIIP
OFDP
OVP
OREP
OFFICIALS
OSAC
OEXC
OPCW
OIE
OIC
OFDA
OSCI
OPIC
OBSP
OECD
ON
OCII
OHUM
OES
OCS
OMIG
OPAD
OTR
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PSOE
PINS
PARM
PK
PBTS
PEPR
PM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PREF
PBIO
PROP
PA
PSI
PINT
PO
PKFK
PL
PAK
PE
POLITICS
PINL
POL
PHSA
PU
PF
POV
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PARMS
PRGOV
PNAT
POLINT
PRAM
PMAR
PG
PAO
PROG
PRELP
PPA
PCUL
PSEPC
PSA
PREO
PAHO
PGIV
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POSTS
PTBS
PGOVLO
PORG
PGOVE
PLN
PINF
PAS
PUNE
POLICY
PDEM
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PHUMPGOV
PMIL
PNG
PP
PS
PHUH
PECON
POGOV
PY
PHUMPREL
PHUS
PRL
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
PEL
RS
RU
RW
REGION
RP
RICE
ROBERT
RSP
RUPREL
RM
RO
RCMP
RSO
RELATIONS
REACTION
REPORT
RIGHTS
ROOD
RF
RFE
RIGHTSPOLMIL
SP
SA
SY
SF
SYR
SENV
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SO
SU
SG
STEINBERG
SHUM
SW
SMIG
SR
SZ
SIPRS
SI
SAARC
SPCE
SARS
SN
SYRIA
SANC
SL
SCRS
SC
SENVKGHG
SAN
SNARCS
SHI
SWE
SNARIZ
SIPDIS
SEN
SNARN
SPCVIS
SEVN
SSA
SH
SOFA
SK
ST
TPHY
TU
TRGY
TI
TX
TS
TW
TC
TFIN
TD
TSPA
TH
TT
TIP
TBIO
TSPL
TZ
TERRORISM
TRSY
TN
THPY
TINT
TF
TL
TV
TK
TO
TP
TURKEY
TNGD
TBID
TAGS
TR
UP
US
UNSC
UK
UZ
UE
UNESCO
UV
UNGA
UN
UNMIK
UNO
UY
UAE
UNEP
UG
UNHCR
UNHRC
USUN
UNAUS
USTR
USNC
USOAS
UNCHR
UNCSD
UNDP
USEU
USPS
UNDC
UNDESCO
UNCHC
UNFICYP
UNC
UNODC
UNPUOS
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCHS
UNVIE
USAID
UNIDROIT
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08CURACAO82, OPPOSITION PARTIES AND VENEZUELA COMPLAIN ABOUT U.S.
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08CURACAO82.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08CURACAO82 | 2008-06-24 18:06 | 2011-01-25 17:05 | CONFIDENTIAL | Consulate Curacao |
P 241824Z JUN 08
FM AMCONSUL CURACAO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2159
INFO AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY
USINT HAVANA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY QUITO PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO PRIORITY
AMCONSUL CURACAO
C O N F I D E N T I A L CURACAO 000082
DEPARTMENT PASS TO WHA/CAR; ALSO PASS TO PM/SNA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/24/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS SNAR NA NL AA VE
SUBJECT: OPPOSITION PARTIES AND VENEZUELA COMPLAIN ABOUT U.S.
COUNTER-DRUG FO...
159478
2008-06-24
08CURACAO82
Consulate Curacao
CONFIDENTIAL
08CARACAS695|08HAVANA462
C O N F I D E N T I A L CURACAO 000082
DEPARTMENT PASS TO WHA/CAR; ALSO PASS TO PM/SNA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 6/24/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS SNAR NA NL AA VE
SUBJECT: OPPOSITION PARTIES AND VENEZUELA COMPLAIN ABOUT U.S.
COUNTER-DRUG FORWARD OPERATING LOCATION
REF: (A) CARACAS 000695; (B) HAVANA 000462
CLASSIFIED BY: William J. Furnish, POL, ConGen Curacao, State.
REASON: 1.4 (a), (b), (d)
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Local opposition parties are using rising fuel
prices and fears of regional conflict to attempt,
unsuccessfully, to stir up popular opposition to the U.S.
counter-drug Forward Operating Location (FOL). Local media
reports have also highlighted recent Venezuelan government
criticism of the FOL. Venezuelan air traffic controllers have
threatened U.S. and allied counter-drug flights in the area,
challenging U.S., French, British and Netherlands Antilles
aircraft operating in international airspace. Missoffs have
sought to provide friendly GONA officials with information to
counter the criticisms, but we probably can expect more negative
attention in the run-up to renewal of the FOL agreement, which
expires in 2011. END SUMMARY
OPPOSITION SEIZES ON AIRSPACE VIOLATION TO CRITICIZE FOL
2 . (U) Leaders of Curacao's opposition parties have used the
recent, alleged Venezuelan airspace violation by a USAF S-3
plane flying out of Curacao (REF. A ) to attempt to stir up
local fears over the presence of the U.S. Air Force counter-drug
FOL here. Party leaders Nelson Pierre of the Not One Step
Backwards List (PLNP) and Helmin Wiels of Sovereign People (PS)
party have taken to local media to plant the idea that the U.S.
is attempting to use the FOL as a staging area for military
incursions into VE, and that Curacao could eventually become
caught in the middle should any military action occur. The
opposition called for a public meeting on the issue in the
Island Council, now set for June 24 .
BREAK AT THE PUMP FOR GIVING U.S. FOL THE BOOT?
3 . (U) This action follows recent criticism and strike action
over the annoucement of significant retail fuel price increases
on Curacao. Opposition parties are telling the public that
Venezuelan President Chavez will not consider giving Curacao a
better deal on fuel as long as the FOL (which he reportedly
considers a potential threat) is allowed to operate. The
Curacao-owned, but Venezuelan (PdVSA)-operated, oil refinery
supplies all fuel to local retailers.
WHO IS FUNDING LOCAL OPPOSITION?
4 . (C) A pro-U.S. Curacao Island Council member called on COM
recently to discuss possible Venezuelan interference in this and
related issues. Source informed us that he and other members of
the government are concerned that the opposition parties and
certain labor unions are suddenly better organized and funded,
and that they plan to use the upcoming council meeting to put
political pressure on the GONA, including regarding the FOL. He
reported that a recent strike and public demonstration by the
taxibus drivers' union over fuel prices was far more organized
and coordinated than prior events. He noted especially the
involvement in the strike of former GONA cabinet member and
avowed Chavista Errol Cova of the now-defunct Labor People's
Crusade party.
MISSOFFS REACH OUT
5 . (C) Opposition leaders will reportedly raise the Venezuelan
airspace incident and try to link it with the fuel price issue
at the Island Council meeting to suggest that the GONA get rid
of the FOL. In an effort to help pro-U.S. officials counter the
criticism, COM and the JIATF-South liaison officer briefed
Island Governor and Council head Lisa Dindial, and later PM
Elhage on May 25 regarding the airspace incident (using approved
press guidance). Missoffs provided background information on the
limited, counter-drug mission of the FOL and on its many
benefits to Curacao. During the meeting with the PM, Missoffs
were surprised to encounter visiting Dutch State Secretary for
Kingdom Affairs Ank Bijleveld and Netherlands local
representative Rob Vermaas. The PM invited them to sit in on the
meeting, where they also expressed concern about possible
Venezuelan interference. The Lt. Governor and PM planned to pass
the FOL information to friendly island commissioners so that
they can better respond to the accusations and allegations that
the opposition is likely to make at the June 24 public meeting.
VENEZUELAN DRUMBEAT OF CRITICISM
¶6. (C) For its part, Venezuela is apparently ramping up its
public criticism of the FOL and taking an increasingly
aggressive posture against counter-drug flights from Curacao.
In President Chavez's recent visit to Cuba, he reportedly
referred, as he has previously, to the threatening
U.S.military bases in Curacao and Manta, Ecuador (REF. B). Local
media also report that former Venezuelan Vice President Vicente
Rangel again cited the Curacao FOL as a potential threat during
his weekly TV program. Other current and former Venezuelan
officials have also been quoted locally as calling the FOL a
threat to Venezuela.
CHALLENGES TO BRITISH, FRENCH, ANTILLEAN COUNTER-DRUG FLIGHTS
¶7. (C) Perhaps partly as a result of the airspace violation and
high-level political attention, Venezuelan air traffic control
authorities seem to be taking a more aggressive stance toward
U.S. and allied counter-narcotics flights in the region. On
three occasions over four days, June 14-17, we understand that
Venezuelan air traffic control (ATC) at Maiquetia airport has
challenged the presence of counter-narcotics aircraft operating
within its Flight Information Region (FIR) but within
international airspace. On these three occasions, British,
French and Antillean counter-drug reconnaisance planes were told
they needed Venezuelan clearance to transit the FIR. The
aircraft commanders have responded that no such clearance is
necessary as they are state aircraft operating in international
airspace with due regard to other traffic. In the first
incident, the British pilot was told that if he entered the
Venezuelan FIR again, he will be intercepted by military
aircraft. A Dash-8 operated by the Netherlands Antilles Coast
Guard was challenged the following day and voluntarily turned
around. Finally, the French aircraft, which remained in
international airspace, was reportedly shadowed for 15-20
mintues by what were apparently two unidentified Venezuelan
military planes 150 miles away and flying over Venezuela on a
paralell course.
WORKING-LEVEL RESPONSE SUGGESTED
¶8. (C) The Netherlands Antilles Foreign Affairs Directorate
(FAD) called ConGen June 15 to ask about unofficial complaints
from the Venezuelan ATC regarding the first of these incidents.
COM corrected the claim that U.S. aircraft were involved, and
encouraged the FAD to deal with the matter first at the
technical, working level. COM updated the FAD Director and
Deputy PM on the margins of the June 16 FOL change of command
ceremony here. The FAD director, who had just returned from
talks with Venezuela on the future of the Curacao refinery (run
by PDVSA), agreed. He noted that similar incidents two years ago
were handled on a mil-mil basis at a low level. He also
predicted that the GOV would not succeed should it attempt to
link the FOL to the refinery negotiations. COM also expects to
discuss the issue during a visit to JIATFSouth HQ next week
where he will be joined by the Governors of the Netherlands
Antilles and Aruba, and the Curacao-based Dutch Commander of CTG
4.4.
9 . (C) Comment: The opposition parties, while small, have a
dedicated following, mainly among working-class citizens who are
already wary of Dutch influence and control. Opposition leader
Nelson Pierre (a reputed former drug addict) of the PLNP is
known to deliver lengthy, screaming rants on local radio shows,
accusing U.S. and Dutch interests of wide-ranging conspiracies
against Curacao and the region. Post suspects that some
oppositon leaders have links with the Venezuelan government and
may receive funding from it. We expect more opposition attacks
on our military presence in the runup to renewal of the FOL
agreement, which expires in 2011. We will continue efforts to
promote the FOL as a multinational effort to work with the
Antilles (and Aruba) to combat drug trafficking, and to show
the Opposition parties that there is a political cost to not
supporting that fight in defense of their own people. We will
also continue to highlight the FOL's counterdrug mission and
success, along with its positive economic and social impact in
the community, in order to influence already generally favorable
public opinion.
DUNNTJ