Cablegate: Media Reaction: Iranian Ties with Venezuela

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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSG #0418 0721355
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131355Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1165
INFO RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1313

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000418

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PD, INR/IAA, PM, INL

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC PTER IR CI
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: IRANIAN TIES WITH VENEZUELA

1. On March 11, conservative, influential, newspaper-of-record "El
Mercurio" (Sun. circ. 260,108) carried an editorial entitled "Iran's
Diplomacy in Latin America." Quote:

2. "Iran is actively engaged with the President of Venezuela to
increase its influence in Latin America.... An eventual active
presence of Iran in our region is no longer irrelevant, it is a
threat. Iran violates international agreements for the peaceful
development of nuclear energy and, therefore, threatens
international security and peace; it openly supports violence in the
Middle East through Hezbollah, and threatens the existence of the
state of Israel. Iran and Venezuela also violate...the principle of
sovereignty and non-intervention in the internal affairs of other
countries. The ties between Iran and Venezuela exacerbate the
differences and mistrust that Chavez is already provoking. Latin
America and our Foreign Ministry must clearly take a stance and set
restrictions regarding Iran's diplomatic presence and offers of
cooperation, and be aware of Iran's motivations."

YAMAUCHI

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