VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHSG #0796 1352116
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
R 152116Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1490
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 1724
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 3627
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 0277
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 1381
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ MAY LIMA 5069
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 1699
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0319
S E C R E T SANTIAGO 000796
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2017
TAGS: ECON MARR MASS PGOV PHUM PINR PREL PTER VE
IR, CI
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE IN THE GROWING IRAN-VENEZUELA
RELATIONSHIP: CHILE SHARES USG CONCERN
REF: STATE 061378
Classified By: Ambassador Craig Kelly for reasons 1.5 (b and d).
1. (S) E/Pol Counselor delivered reftel demarche on May 15 to Ambassador Juan Pablo Lira March, head of the MFA's
Division for South America, stressing following points: 1) Growing diplomatic links between Caracas and Tehran
undermined international efforts to find a solution to Iran's nuclear efforts 2) Increasing economic ties,
especially those linked to pushing higher energy prices, was prejudicial to world economic growth, including Chile,
which is highly dependent on energy imports 3) Chavez was backing Iran's nuclear programs, in defiance of unanimous UN
resolutions and, 4) Enhanced Venezuela-Iran links could facilitate Iran's terrorist support efforts in the region.
2. (S) Lira replied that he very much appreciated the information and that Chile shared USG concerns. He noted that Iran
had approached Chile about reopening its embassy in Santiago. The GOC had ""promised only to study"" the proposal but,
Lira said, had no intention of responding positively. Lira did note that were Iran to reopen its embassy in Buenos
Aires, the GOC would likely accept accreditation of Iran's ambassador there to Santiago as well, on a non-resident
basis. Chile was alarmed at the January 2007 visit of Iranian president Ahmedinejad to Quito for the Correa
inauguration. It did not auger well for where Correa might steer Ecuador, which Chile considers an important partner.
Chile was also concerned about potential Iranian presence and activities in the Tri-Border Area. Chilean intelligence
agencies monitor Iranians there - and those passing through Chile - closely, They worry these Iranians would facilitate
both narco-trafficking and terrorism.
3. (S) Lira appreciated the offer to continue working together closely on this issue and to share information when
possible.
KELLY