CHAVEZ HURLS INSULTS AND REACTS TO USG STATEMENTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000176

SIPDIS


NSC FOR CBARTON
USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD
STATE PASS USAID FOR DCHA/OTI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM VE
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ HURLS INSULTS AND REACTS TO USG STATEMENTS


Classified By: Abelardo A. Arias, Political Counselor,
for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d)

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Summary
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1. (C) Seeking to shift attention from the CNE and the recall
referendum processes, President Hugo Chavez reacted to recent
comments on Venezuela by USG officials, repeatedly calling
National Security Advisor Rice "an illiterate." Chavez
believes that the USG is meddling in Venezuelan internal
affairs and conspiring with the opposition. In a
nationally-broadcast show on January 10, Chavez said he
considered the comments by USG officials, particularly
comments by Rice, to be violation of Venezuelan sovereignty.
The Vice President, National Assembly, Attorney General, and
Foreign Minister also made comments insisting that USG not
become involved in Venezuelan internal affairs. End Summary.

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USG Comments on Referendum and Democracy in Venezuela
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2. (U) Recent public comments by USG officials reiterating
our policy on Venezuela have drawn substantial attention. On
January 5 and again on January 12, the Department's Deputy
Spokesman said, "We (USG) remain committed to working with
the OAS to support the Venezuelan Government and opposition
achieve a constitutional, democratic, peaceful, and electoral
solution to the current political impasse there." Speaking
at the Council of the Americas on January 6, WHA A/S Roger
Noreiga did not mention Venezuela in his speech, but
responding to reporters, he stated that he understood that
Chavez was not a close friend of the U.S. The Secretary also
acknowledged the strained relationship with Venezuela and
commented on the referendum, emphasizing US support for
resolving Venezuela's political situation in a constitutional
manner.


3. (U) Responding to questions on the Venezuelan referendum,
National Security Advisor Rice said, "President Chavez has an
opportunity to demonstrate that he believes in democratic
processes by allowing this recall to go through unhindered,
unfettered, and then living up to the terms of it." She also
noted that Venezuela is going through a difficult time in its
democratic development. Citing the USG,s support of the OAS
and NGOs, particularly the Carter Center, to ensure that the
referendum process is held without interference, she said
that she hoped that Chavez would "demonstrate that he
believes in a democratic future for Venezuela by carrying out
the wishes of his people." Later at the Monterrey Summit,
President Bush repeated the USG position, saying, "We will
work with the Organization of American States to ensure the
integrity of the presidential recall and referendum process
underway in Venezuela."

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GOV comments
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4. (U) S(j}) to Rice, referring to her
again as "a true illiterate." He quickly explained to the
audience that while she can read, she cannot read the truth.
In response, he offered to send books to her from the Cuban

literacy program. Chavez read a transcript of Rice's
comments and wryly asked, "I don't have a reason to call her
an illiterate?" After denouncing Rice's response to the
April 2002 coup, Chavez likened Rice's comments to those of
"hypocritical Pharisees." Chavez then claimed to have
"figured out" that the flurry of USG comments were part of a
plot with the opposition to overthrow him. He said that if
the CNE finds the referendum to be invalid, Washington and
Rice will say that Chavez is not supporting democracy. At
the Monterrey Summit, Chavez stated that comments by
President Bush on Venezuela "were more intelligent" than
those of his national security advisor.


6. (U) On January 6, Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said
Ereli's comments were a "broken record" and questioned why
the U.S. was giving such treatment to a country of such
importance. Rangel called the Secretary's comments
"impertinent," adding that "it is not up to Mr. Powell, the
US State Department or the United States, but (to) the
National Electoral Council of Venezuela to decide." On
January 9, Rangel acknowledged political differences, but
said that he hoped to have a normal relationship with the U.S.

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Other GOV Branches Respond
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7. (U) On January 13, the National Assembly approved a
statement introduced by Fifth Republic Movement (MVR) deputy
Tarek William Saab. The statement rejects "repeated
interventions and interference of the U.S." in Venezuelan
internal affairs. The document, which specifically
references Powell and Rice,s comments, calls on the U.S. to
respect the principles of non-intervention and
self-determination. In a similar fashion, Attorney General
Isaias Rodriguez also issued a statement, insisting that
countries in the region do not get involved in Venezuelan
internal affairs, directly referring to Rice's comments. He
"urged countries to avoid comments" because they could
"complicate the situation and increase tensions." Venezuelan
Foreign Minister Roy Chaderton also rebuked Rice and the U.S.
He said that the referendum was an internal matter and that
the USG should not start a fight with Venezuela.

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Comment
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8. (C) Three factors explain the loud and disproportionate
response to the statements by senior U.S. officials:

-- the GOV wants to shift public focus from the CNE and the
referendum to U.S.-Venezuelan relations;

-- the GOV seeks to maintain pressure on the CNE; and

-- Chavez wanted to burnish his nationalist credentials on
the eve of the Monterrey Summit.


9. (C) The impending visit of former President Carter (Jan.
25-27) will of course underscore the valid role of foreign
groups (OAS and Carter Center) in monitoring the CNE
signature count process, and more generally the referendum
process. Our public statements should continue to stress our
support for the referendum process and the implementation of
OAS resolution 833.

SHAPIRO


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