VENEZUELA: SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE: MAY 28

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001839 SIPDIS NSC FOR CBARTON USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD STATE PASS USAID FOR DCHA/OTI E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/26/2014 TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM VE SUBJECT: VENEZUELA: SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE: MAY 28 Classified By: A/DCM Abelardo A. Arias for Reason 1.4 (d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) The appeals centers opened May 28 in an atmosphere of calm. Turnout appeared to be good (anecdotally, between 25 and 30 percent by the afternoon),especially in urban areas, with reports that very few of the participants sought to withdraw their signatures. There were reports across the country of confusion over validity of identity cards and of signatures missing from the appeals registers (cuadernos). National Electoral Council (CNE) directors and Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel described the process and completely normal and without irregularities. Heads of international observer missions have expressed satisfaction with the process and met with GOV officials and the political actors. End Summary. -------------- Process Opens In Relative Calm -------------- ¶2. (U) Signature appeals centers for the presidential recall referendum opened more or less on time May 28 across Venezuela amidst relative calm. National Electoral Council (CNE) Director Jorge Rodriguez told reporters in the morning that only 24 of the 2,607 centers failed to open. Army troops, operating under Plan Republica in support of the CNE, have been observed in ample numbers at appeals centers. Emboffs observed organized groups of Chavez supporters near some appeals centers, though there has been one report of violence (see para 7). -------------- A Strong Turnout -------------- ¶3. (C) Embassy observers noted strong turnout in urban appeals centers, less so in rural centers where the number of appeals are much less. There appeared to be a steady stream of participants. Some reports in the early afternoon said some centers had already processed up to 30 percent of the appeals. Participants on this weekday have tended to be older. The number of those withdrawing their signatures has been very low, according to Emboffs. A Coordinadora Democratica (CD) representative told poloff as of late afternoon the turnout rate was 25 percent. -------------- Confusion Over Cedulas, Lists -------------- ¶4. (U) There were widespread reports of confusion over the verification of national identity cards (cedulas). An instruction from the CNE advised workers to ensure that cards issued in December 1999 or later bear the name "Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela." This led some CNE workers to deny persons whose cards are valid but were issued prior to that date. CNE officials tried to correct this problem via press statements, but the problem has persisted. Emboff noted several incidents firsthand in Carabobo state where Plan Republic soldiers performed the cedula check and denied entry of some individuals into appeals centers. ¶5. (U) Emboffs heard complaints from several Venezuelans who believed they had a right to appeal after consulting the CNE and Sumate, only to find they were not included in the appeals register (cuaderno). There were reports that CNE lists posted outside centers do not match the registers. Data in CNE computers on-site also showed inconsistencies with the registers, according to reports. Emboff in Zulia state reported this problem was widespread, after consulting with international observers there. -------------- CNE, GOV, Observers Praise Process -------------- ¶6. (U) CNE President Francisco Carrasquero and Jorge Rodriguez briefed international press in the morning. Carrasquero said the process was being carried out according to the law and emphasized that the CNE, vice international organizations, is the authority when it comes to releasing results. CNE Directors Ezequiel Zamora and Sobella Mejias (opposition),who had not been invited to the international press conference, briefed national reporters, describing the CNE board as "distracted, but not fractured." OAS SYG Cesar Gaviria met with Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel and told reporters afterward that the process was being carried out in a satisfactory manner. Carter Center representative Jennifer McCoy met with the pro-GOV campaign committee Comando Ayacucho, reiterating her institution's commitment to impartial observation of the process. ¶7. (C) TalCual newspaper editor Teodoro Petkoff and Coordinadora Democratica leaders Pompeyo Marquez_ and Carlos Quiroz Corradi told the Ambassador May 28 they were conservatively optimistic that, despite the GOV's efforts to stop them, the opposition would gather enough "repaired' signatures to call for a presidential recall referendum. Luis Miquilena concurred, but he suggested that Chavez would then call for elections before going to a referendum. Quiroz Corradi noted that the fact that there were four copies of the actas (one for CNE/Caracas, one each for Comando Ayacucho and the Coordinadora Democratica, and one for the foreign observers) made it more difficult for the GoV to alter them. Quiroz feared that violence could interrupt the process. For example, pro-GoV sympathizers working for HIDROLAGO in San Francisco municipality (next to Maracaibo, Zulia state) roughed up 5-7 people who were repairing their signatures, in full view of the military tasked with guarding the site. When the chavistas returned, the military intervened and ordered them to leave. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶8. (C) The opposition seems to be having a good day. The opposition should get a sense of their standing overnight as daily tally sheets ("actas") are totaled. Harassment by the military and Chavistas has been sporadic so far. The identity card flap and inconsistent lists is a matter of concern, but seem to be in small proportion to the overall numbers. Strong turnout is still the key to overcoming these problems. SHAPIRO NNNN 2004CARACA01839 - CONFIDENTIAL