GOV GLOATS OVER CARTER LETTER ON SIGNATURE TALKS

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001384 SIPDIS NSC FOR CBARTON USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD STATE PASS USAID FOR DCHA/OTI E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/2014 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM VE SUBJECT: GOV GLOATS OVER CARTER LETTER ON SIGNATURE TALKS REF: CARACAS 1346 Classified By: Abelardo A. Arias, Political Counselor, for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) The GOV released on April 22 a letter sent a week earlier by former President Carter to President Hugo Chavez registering concerns over delays in the signature appeals process negotiations. The letter offered recommendations to the GOV on the parameters of the appeals process and proposed an OAS-Carter Center observation mission to monitor them. Official press stripped the date from the letter and implied that President Carter had congratulated the GOV on the completed appeals process negotiations. Private media emphasized Carter's criticisms of GOV foot-dragging during the signature verification process. The Carter Center (TCC) representatives publicly lamented the GOV's decision to release "private correspondence," especially after negotiations had concluded, and privately explained to government opponents the Carter Center position. The letter's release briefly influenced opposition discussions about participating in the appeals process, but seems to have had little damaging effect. End summary. -------------- The Velvet Glove Approach -------------- ¶2. (U) Former President Jimmy Carter sent a letter to President Hugo Chavez on April 16, before the National Electoral Council (CNE) decided on April 21 on rules for the signature appeals process ("reparos") for the presidential referendum (ref). The letter congratulates the CNE, the Coordinadora Democratica (CD),and the Comando Ayacucho (the pro-Chavez campaign committee) for the efforts being made to find an acceptable appeals mechanism. The letter notes that the verification process had suffered long delays and uncertainties, causing Venezuelans to doubt the integrity of their democratic institutions. Carter recommends specific features for the appeals process, such as the use of registry books for those contesting the CNE's decision concerning their signature. Carter also offers observers for the appeals process, and supports the Comando Ayacucho's proposal to include new observers from UNDP and the European Union. -------------- Spin... -------------- ¶3. (C) After the CNE made its announcement, the GOV press agency Venpres released the letter on April 21, leaving off the date. The Venpres headline read "Carter Recognizes Efforts of the Executive on the Appeals Process." The timing of the release implied that President Carter had congratulated the GOV for reaching an acceptable agreement, implying that the opposition should take the deal. Even OAS chief observer Marcelo Alvarez_ was confused by the press. Despite knowing about the letter last week, Alvarez_ told PolOff, he thought Venpres was referring to a new letter. -------------- Counter-Spin -------------- ¶4. (U) Private media played up Carter's criticisms of the GOV for the delays in the verification process. Caracas daily El Universal said Carter expressed "worry." News channel Globovision said Carter's message was that the appeals mechanism would revive confidence of Venezuelans in the CNE. CD negotiator Alberto Quiros pointed out on a Globovision interview that Carter's letter was written before the mechanism was defined. The Carter Center (TCC) tried to correct the story to Venezuelan press. -------------- TCC Regrets Confusion -------------- ¶5. (C) TCC Latin America chief Jennifer McCoy told the Ambassador by e-mail, that it was "unfortunate" that the GOV released the private letter under confusing conditions. She said the letter had been intended to encourage the GOV negotiators to agree quickly to a workable appeals mechanism. McCoy said TCC would clarify to opposition leaders that TCC has not taken a position on the appeals proposal and would not advise them on whether to accept it. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) We do not know whether Carter's letter caused the Chavistas to be more flexible during the negotiations. The letter's release, however, was clearly a GOV attempt to suggest that President Carter endorses the CNE's proposed appeals process just at the time that the opposition is debating whether to participate. The letter's splash has been brief, and does not appear to have had great negative effect on opposition deliberations about going to the reparos. SHAPIRO NNNN 2004CARACA01384 - CONFIDENTIAL