VZCZCXRO7940
PP RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHCV #1405 2771300
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 031300Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY CARACAS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1931
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
UNCLAS CARACAS 001405
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPT FOR AID/OTI (RPORTER)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL VE
SUBJECT: EXPRESSION OF SUPPORT FROM BRV PARLIAMENT FOR FIVE
CUBAN SPIES
1. (SBU) The Embassy received an official statement of
support from the National Assembly (NA) of the Bolivarian
Republic of Venezuela (BRV) for five Cuban citizens held in
the United States on spying charges. The expression of
support, passed by the NA on September 23, 2008, condemns the
case against the men as political and a violation of their
human rights. On September 29, Minister for Work and Social
Security Roberto Hernandez reiterated the claim of human
rights violations in the case of the five and said the
Venezuelan Association of Bolivarian Lawyers would offer
"juridical support" to them. Hernandez gave no further
detail on what kind of support the Bolivarian lawyers might
provide to the men (Gerardo Hernandez Nordelo, Ramon Labanino
Salazar, Antonio Guerrero Rodriguez, Fernando Gonzalez Llort,
and Rene Gonzalez Sehwerert).
2. (SBU) Post will send the original document by diplomatic
pouch to the Venezuela Desk. Begin excerpts from text of the
NA statement:
Considering:
That since September 12, 1998, the Cuban citizens....find
themselves deprived of their liberty by long sentences
imposed by judges of the city of Miami;
That sentences of the five Cuban citizens in the United
States is a political case disguised under legal pretexts;
That these citizens are subjected to atrocious conditions of
reclusion, deprived of visits from their wives and children,
that have gone years without information on the cases of the
detained, while the Government of the United States loses no
opportunity to promote itself in the world as a state that
respects human rights;
Declares:
Rejection of the deprival of liberty of the Cuban citizens.
Insistence that the United States...take steps to free these
Cuban citizens.
Expression of solidarity of the Venezuelan Parliament with
these Cuban citizens.
Condemnation of the violation of these five Cuban citizens
and their families by United States authorities.
Manifestation of satisfaction of this deliberative body for
the many expressions of solidarity expressed by the
international community in relation to the detention and
violation of the human rights of those citizens.
End excerpts.
CAULFIELD