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).

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Summary
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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.

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Chavez Supporters Call For Removal of OAS Observer
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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.

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Information Centers Prohibited, Maybe
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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.

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Opposition Continues to Prepare
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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.

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GOV Harassment Continues
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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.

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GOV Announces Intelligence Operation
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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.

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Comment
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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


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2004CARACA01799 - CONFIDENTIAL