VENEZUELA: PRESIDENTIAL SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001799 SIPDIS NSC FOR CBARTON USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD STATE PASS USAID FOR DCHA/OTI E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/25/2014 TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM VE OAS SUBJECT: VENEZUELA: PRESIDENTIAL SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE REF: A. CARACAS 01769 ¶B. CARACAS 01748 ¶C. CARACAS 01730 Classified By: A/DCM Abelardo A. Arias for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) The signature appeals process for the recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez will begin May 27, with 2,659 centers opening to the public May 28-30. The pro-Chavez campaign committee Comando Ayacucho formally requested the National Electoral Council (CNE) remove OAS Chief Observer Fernando Jaramillo for alleged bias in favor of the opposition. The CNE prohibited the set up of information centers near appeals sites May 25, but pro-opposition CNE Director Ezequiel Zamora clarified subsequently that the information centers may operate in "closed areas" or political party offices. GOV harassment of opposition leaders and ordinary citizens who signed against Chavez continues. The Coordinadora Democratica (CD) claims it has made contact with 75 percent of persons eligible to appeal. End summary. -------------- -------------- Chavez Supporters Call For Removal of OAS Observer -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) On May 26, the day before start of the presidential signature appeals process (which will open to the public May 28-30),the pro-Chavez campaign committee Comando Ayacucho formally requested that the National Electoral Council (CNE) demand the removal of OAS chief observer Fernando Jaramillo for allegedly favoring the opposition. Ayacucho Coordinator Ismael Garcia cited Jaramillo's comments to reporters during the May 21-23 appeals for deputies that "fewer people had turned out than expected" as evidence of bias. Former Minister of Infrastructure Diosdado Cabello said Jaramillo had intervened in Venezuelan electoral issues so often that Jaramillo had lost all validity as an impartial observer. Cabello reiterated that the CNE is the only legitimate electoral authority and that quick counts carried out by international observers are not valid. Garcia also said Venezuelan OAS Ambassador Jorge Valero would shortly present a formal complaint to OAS SYG Gaviria requesting Jaramillo's removal. -------------- Information Centers Prohibited, Maybe -------------- ¶3. (U) CNE Director Oscar Battaglini (pro-GOV) announced May 25 that the CNE had prohibited information centers (sites operated by the Coordinadora and Comando Ayacucho near the appeals centers to give logistical support and allow citizens to check the status of their signatures). On May 24, CNE Director Jorge Rodriguez had announced that such centers must be located at least 150 meters away from the appeals center. Battaglini said the CNE acted on intelligence supplied by the military that the centers could lead to disruptions in public order. Twenty minutes after Battaglini's comments, CNE Director Ezequiel Zamora (pro-opposition) told reporters the board had not/not banned information centers if they are located within an enclosed area, such as a private house or political party campaign office. The official CNE press release affirmed the ban and did not mention Zamora's interpretation. -------------- Opposition Continues to Prepare -------------- ¶4. (C) Miranda State Governor Enrique Mendoza announced that the Coordinadora Democratica (CD) would proceed with plans to establish the centers. Opposition appeals preparations proceeded normally on May 26, including a simulation of the appeals process staged in Caracas' Chacao municipality to familiarize volunteers with the mechanics of the process. A CD representative told poloff May 25 that organization for this round of the referendum process is better than ever before. He claimed the opposition had contacted 75 percent of the 1.19 million persons with right to appeal, with higher percentages in key areas such as Zulia state. Opposition groups in Anzoategui State signed a unity pact May 25 to consolidate forces in support of the appeals, as did political groups in the Sucre municipality of Caracas on May ¶26. -------------- GOV Harassment Continues -------------- ¶5. (U) GOV prosecutors continue to press legal actions against well-known Chavez opponents. A judge granted Sumate directors Alejandro Plaz and Maria Corina Machado, charged with treason for accepting a grant from the National Endowment for Democracy, access to their case files. They are now scheduled to appear June 2 for indictment and possible detention. A judge sentenced journalist Ibeyise Pacheco to nine months in prison for defaming a military officer after she accused him of corruption in 2002. Pacheco, who remains free, told reporters she would appeal the decision. Authorities also detained retired Gen. Francisco Uson May 22. He faces charges of defaming the armed forces. At the time of his detention, Uson was working with the Coordinadora on logistics for the appeals in Bolivar State. ¶6. (C) Allegations persist of dismissal of public employees who signed against Chavez and threats against recipients of public welfare programs. Causa R Deputy Andres Velazquez told poloff May 25 he had personal knowledge that the Comando Ayacucho, under its so-called "Plan Sovereignty," is going door-to-door in Anzoategui and Bolivar states searching for petition signers who receive public aid. Chavez supporters tell the signer to withdraw their names during the appeals process or they or their family members will lose their benefits. Velazquez said his own son, a teacher, had been denied a government housing loan unless he withdraw his signature. Antonio Suarez, an Executive Secretary of the Confederation of Venezuelan Workers (CTV),told poloff May 26 he had documented 52 firings and 63 transfers of public workers for having signed, along with 850 threats of dismissal if workers do not retract their signatures. Suarez said he had presented these cases to the Human Rights Ombudsman, the CNE, and the International Labor Organization. -------------- GOV Announces Intelligence Operation -------------- ¶7. (U) Vice Minister of Interior and Justice Carlos Betioll announced May 26 that the GOV will mount a special intelligence operation to prevent "anarchic groups" from disrupting public order during the appeals process. He refused to give names, but said several individuals with a history of plotting were under suspicion. Mayor of Metropolitan Caracas Alfredo Pena said May 26 2,600 Metropolitan Police will patrol Caracas to maintain public order. The GOV plans to mount an open street market ("megamercado") in downtown Caracas during the appeals process, according to press reports. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶8. (C) The GOV is laying the groundwork for this weekend by instilling a climate of fear and uncertainty. So far, the Chavistas are employing the modus operandi of alleging violent conspiracies and attacking those who can criticize them, namely, the international observers. The opposition is largely staying out of the fray with the GOV as they prepare for the appeals. SHAPIRO NNNN 2004CARACA01799 - CONFIDENTIAL