Obama's choice for ambassador to Venezuela; surely Palmer cannot be this stupid

[rabs]

This is Larry Palmer,

In June, Obama nominated him to the ambassadorship in Venezuela.

In Bogota today (Tuesday), the newspaper El Tiempo published remarks attributed to Palmer at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing last week. In the article, he is alleged to have said, in response to questions from Sen. Richard Lugar:

-- The morale of the Venezuelan armed forces is low for political reasons.

-- Despite Hugo Chavez's huge investments in defense, the professionalism of the Army also is dropping because of lack of training for officers.

-- Palmer also mentioned "problems" in maintaining (military) equipment that could cause "serious consequences" in the capacity to react.

-- Palmer expressed concern because two top members of the (Venezuelan) government continue in their posts despite being on the Clinton List of narco-traffickers (Palmer did not name them.) Palmer said there was a "problem" with the appointment of Gen. Henry Rangel Silva, (also on the Clinton List), as commander of the army's Strategic Operations department.

-- Palmer said the evidence presented by Colombia at the OAS was very serious and should be investigated in depth.

-- Palmer also spoke of the "clear links" between members of the Venezuelan government and the FARC, and the lack of will by the government to impede that the guerrillas use (Venezuelan) territory.

-- Palmer said the Cuban presence in Venezuela is not limited to areas of medicine, education and technology, there are "credible reports over growing cooperation in the intelligence and military services. He said Venezuelan military officers train in Cuba and "social activists" receive paramilitary training from Cubans in Venezuela.

El Tiempo story:

http://www.eltiempo.com/mundo/euycanada/moral-de-fuerzas-armadas-venezolanas-estaria-baja_7841202-1

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But something happened after Palmer's appearance before the committee. Following the hearings, 14 of the 17 members of the SFRC voted to recommend to the full Senate 32 nominated ambassadors.

But Larry Palmer was NOT on the list. Lugar said he did not know why Palmer did not make it.


------------------

If what El Tiempo published is true, you can be sure that the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry and Hugo Chavez are analyzing word for word the transcript of what Palmer said. And if he did say all those idiotic things as a NOMINEE, it's possible Venezuela will NOT accept him, should he get full Senate approval.

That is if Obama does not withdraw his nomination.

[EFerrari]

1. Is he stupid or was he prepared by State?

That's the question. Because if he was prepared, we might have something like a blue print.

[Judi Lynn]

4. It would be more comfortable imagining he's stupid, but it's such a strong idiot's position

it looks like a position from the same Iran-Contra holdover people who also backed to Honduras coup which is terrorizing the citizens there now.

Venezuela has had so many thug ambassadors by now. A notable one from longer ago is Cuban "exile" scum, former Jesse Helms aide, Otto Reich, who fought to get _{George H. W. Bush} to go over the opinion of the Asst. Attorney Joe D. Whitley, and allow mass murdering airline bomber, Cuban "exile" Orlando Bosch back into the country. A later one, Charles Shapiro who supported the coup, and threw a party for some Venezuelans featuring a ventroloquist who did vicious Hugo Chavez jokes. Then there was William Brownfield who attempted to butt into a little league baseball game and give out a lot of little baseball gifts, like balls, and other items, who infuriated the children's parents sitting in the stands who started yelling, chased him back to his limousine, grabbed eggs from a local market and followed him on motorcycles pitching eggs at his limo.

http://www.biographicon.com.nyud.net:8090/images/Otto_Reich.jpg http://venezuelanalysis.com.nyud.net:8090/images/people/otto-reich.jpg

http://www.vheadline.com.nyud.net:8090/graf/Shapiro_Charles_02.jpg http://media.portland.indymedia.org.nyud.net:8090/images/2003/05/264865.jpg

http://www.vheadline.com.nyud.net:8090/graf/Brownfield_William_04.jpg http://msnbcmedia.msn.com.nyud.net:8090/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060407/060407_brownfield_hmed_6p.hmedium.jpg

Otto Reich, Charles Shapiro and his cheap political stunt, William Brownfield, and a view of the
parents chasing him taken out of the window of his limo. What a bunch of winners. Like this new
guy, they all take the diplomacy out of diplomacy.

[Bacchus39]

2. Chavez can reject the nomination, I doubt Obama would witdraw his nominee

no reason to.

[naaman fletcher]

3. I guess we should all assume that these statements are false?

After all, they don't reflect well on Chavez, therefore they must be false and morale and officer training are high right now? I don't know, as I have not read any info on it, but I also don't assume they are false.

[rabs]

5. Palmer probably can kiss ambassadorship in Caracas GOODBYE

Last night commented that Venezuelan govt. was going to scrutinize closely Palmer's ill-advised remarks after being baited by Lugar.

The reaction from Caracas was swift, and when the president of Telesur speaks, he is speaking for the government.

Wall Street Urinal has picked up the story and it ain't looking hunky dory for Palmer -- and for Hillary.

As for Obama, Palmer is an incredible diplomatic faux pas regarding Venezuela in particular and Latin America in general. Will Obama ever learn?

Have not seen yet why Palmer was left OFF the long list of ambassador nominees that will be sent to the full Senate for confirmation.

----------------------------------

"Larry Palmer hasn't even arrived in Venezuela and he's already casting stones," Andrés Izarra, Venezuela's former communications minister and the current president of the pro-Chavez television network Telesur, said on TV on Tuesday night. "His comments reveal a negative prejudice against Venezuela."

"I am keenly aware of the clear ties between members of the Venezuelan government and Colombian guerillas," he (Palmer) said. "The Venezuelan government has been unwilling to prevent Colombian guerillas from entering and establishing camps in Venezuelan territory."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704017904575409683083839828.html

[Bacchus39]

6. Sean Penn maybe???? or maybe no ambassador in Ven, what say you?? n/t

s

[rabs]

7. Didn't take long

República Bolivariana de Venezuela

Ministerio del Poder Popular para Relaciones Exteriores



Comunicado


El gobierno de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela tuvo conocimiento de las graves declaraciones que el embajador designado por el gobierno de los Estados Unidos para representarlo en Caracas, Larry Leon Palmer, rindió ante el Congreso de ese país.

El Gobierno Bolivariano considera que el contenido de estas declaraciones constituyen un serio precedente de injerencia e intervencionismo para alguien que ni siquiera ha pisado el territorio venezolano.

El Gobierno Revolucionario de Venezuela se encuentra evaluando las consecuencias de esta declaración inaceptable, la cual rechaza enérgicamente en todas sus partes, y ha solicitado explicaciones al gobierno de los Estados Unidos antes de tomar una decisión definitiva sobre este asunto.

Caracas, 4 de agosto de 2010

[flamingdem]

8. For a diplomat, he's not very diplomatic!

I'm sure they can find someone who would do a better job than this bozo.

[rabs]

9. Burkina Faso might be a good destination for him now

far away and out of sight and sound.

Venezuela's Defense Minister Carlos Mata Figueroa today shot down Palmer's claims that morale in the Ven. Armed Forces was at a low point.

Mata Figueroa told Palmer "Look at yourself, Mr. Palmer, you have not arrived here and already you are talking all sorts of things."

"What moral right does this gentleman have to talk (about morale in the Ven. Armed Forces); look at the Armed Forces of the United States and their number of suicides and violation of human rights."

-----------------------------

Of course Palmer could still be approved by the full Senate, which would almost force Venezuela to reject him. I suspect that Venezuela would advise the State Department and Palmer's nomination would be quietly yanked, so as to avoid an embarrassment for Obama.

The overworked Senate will go on vacation this month, so a possible vote on Palmer would come sometime in September.

This is the most amusing diplomatic faux pas that I have seen in a long time.

[Bacchus39]

10. its beautiful, because Obama never intended to have Palmer serve there

Palmer will be given a nice position elsewhere. baiting Venezuela to make the next move. you don't think Obama knows what he is doing???