SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE: MAY 29

UNCLAS CARACAS 001860 SIPDIS NSC FOR CBARTON USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD STATE PASS USAID FOR DCHA/OTI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM VE SUBJECT: SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE: MAY 29 REF: A. CARACAS 1839 ¶B. CARACAS 1837 -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) The second day of the signature appeals in the presidential referendum process began slowly with low turnout, picking up by mid-morning. There were multiple reports of violence at appeals centers, including two assaults against journalists. National identity cards continued to be controversial, as unclear rules from the national Electoral Council (CNE) caused some people to be denied entrance to appeals centers. The GOV launched allegations of fraud over the discovery of allegedly falsified identity cards. Former President Carter arrived and began visiting appeals centers. End summary. -------------- Slow Start... -------------- ¶2. (U) Appeals centers opened May 28 for a second day of signature appeals in the recall process against President Hugo Chavez. Observers reported low turnout at the opening, but picking up by 10:00 a.m. Most centers did not have lines but maintained a steady stream of participants. Observers reported anecdotally that many centers had received more than half of the possible appeals. -------------- But Things Heat Up -------------- ¶3. (U) By 1:00 p.m., reports of violence came from several states. Groups of anti- and pro-Chavez supporters surrounded appeals centers, occasionally resulting in scrapes. One observer in Zulia reported having seen 15 fights, one of which resulted in nine people being hospitalized. One person was lightly wounded when a Plan Republica soldier fired his shotgun at the ground to disperse the group. Two reporters, in Caracas and Carabobo, were assaulted by Chavez sympathizers. There were multiple reports of attacks against opposition political party offices serving as information centers for the opposition. GOV security forces also reportedly raided several information centers. Private media showed images of a center in Caracas that had been closed amidst harassment by Chavez supporters, some on motorcycles bearing shotguns. Despite these incidents, observers reported calm and normal operations at most appeals centers. ¶4. (U) Plan Republica units, according to some reports, impeded entry to appeals centers over technicalities. There were reports and images of Plan Republica forces standing by while government sympathizers harassed appeals centers. There were also reports of the military closing centers for long periods over procedural disputes. -------------- Identity Cards A Dilemma -------------- ¶5. (U) Controversy over vague and contradictory rules regarding national identity cards slowed the process. The ambiguity allowed workers to reject appeals based on the perceived authenticity of the cards. The CNE reportedly sent an instruction to appeals centers on May 27 when the controversy erupted, but there was confusion over whether the instruction held precedent over the appeals norms approved by the CNE board. Three directors put forth personal (and varying) interpretations of the rules, as did two pro-government politicians. Contradictions were also present between the appeals registers (caudernos),computer database, and pre-printed lists of appeals posted outside the centers, which caused several people trying to make appeals to be turned away. ¶6. (U) At 6:15 p.m., the pro-GOV Comando Ayacucho announced the opposition had engaged in systematic fraud nationwide, falsifying identity cards. At 3:00 p.m. the secret police (DISIP) allegedly captured a man in Caracas with more than 400 falsified identity cards. The DISIP said also they had evidence of falsified cards in other parts of Caracas. Libertador Municipality Mayor Freddy Bernal claimed the person was also engaged in falsifying police credentials, alleging it was part of the "Plan B" by the opposition to rebel against Chavez. The mayor of Puerto Cabello reported a man had been detained by security forces with 179 identity cards. -------------- Jimmy Carter Arrives; Gaviria at CNE -------------- ¶7. (U) Former President Carter arrived at mid-day. Carter visited four appeals centers later in the day. He told reporters he was observing and would make press comments at a later time. OAS SYG Gaviria met with CNE officials late in the day. More than 100 international observers are present throughout Venezuela. Other international observers invited by the CNE have also been seen meeting with GOV and opposition officials. Among them are international journalists, human rights advocates, electoral officials, and members of the Socialist International. SHAPIRO NNNN 2004CARACA01860 - UNCLASSIFIED