Cablegate: Venezuela's Non-Response On Ending Export

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RUEHNL RUEHQU RUEHRD RUEHRG RUEHRS RUEHTM RUEHVC
DE RUEHCV #0781 1562111
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 042111Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY CARACAS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1247
INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 7806
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ 2770
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 1046
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 2861
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE
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RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL

UNCLAS CARACAS 000781

SIPDIS

HQ SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
TREASURY FOR MMALLOY
COMMERCE FOR 4431/MAC/WH/MCAMERON
FOR EEB/TPP/ABT - GCLEMENTS, JBOBO, AWINTON
FOR EEB/TPP - MLURIE
FOR EEB/IFD/ODF - MSIEMER
FOR EEB/TPP/MTA - CVOLTMER
FOR USDA/FAS - CJACKSON, MHOUSE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON PGOV VE
SUBJECT: VENEZUELA'S NON-RESPONSE ON ENDING EXPORT
RESTRICTIONS AND SUPPORTING BIOTECH

REF: A. STATE 53346
B. STATE 53353
C. STATE 52628
D. CARACAS 329
E. CARACAS 140

1. (SBU) Post delivered the points in the referenced cables
via diplomatic note to the Ministry of International
Relations, the Ministry of Food, the Ministry of Agriculture
and Land, and the Ministry of Light Industry and Commerce
(refs A, B, C). There has been no response to date and Post
does not expect BRV cooperation on either the elimination of
export restrictions or the promotion of biotechnology for
domestic political reasons.

2. (SBU) Venezuela generally exports very little in the way
of agricultural products. Nevertheless, it maintains trade
restrictions on certain categories of food, requiring
exporters to obtain "certificates of local sufficiency" prior
to shipment (ref D). The BRV has also come out publicly
against biotechnology (ref E). Post will continue in its
efforts to open a dialogue with the BRV on these issues.
FRENCH

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