Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04CARACAS1878
2004-06-02 19:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:  

VENEZUELA: SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE, JUNE 1

Tags:  PGOV PHUM KDEM VE OAS 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001878 

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 OAS
SUBJECT: VENEZUELA: SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE, JUNE 1

REF: A. CARACAS 1861


B. CARACAS 1860

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

-------
Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001878

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 OAS
SUBJECT: VENEZUELA: SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE, JUNE 1

REF: A. CARACAS 1861


B. CARACAS 1860

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

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) The Coordinadora Democratica (CD) claimed on June 1
they had collected 131,000 more signature appeal than needed
to activate the referendum against President Hugo Chavez.
National Electoral Council (CNE) Vice President Ezequiel
Zamora (pro-opposition) denounced on May 31 that the CNE had
inexplicably stopped tallying results, and only resumed work
when the delay was discovered. Former President Jimmy Carter
and OAS SYG Cesar Gaviria made a surprise visit to the CNE on
May 31, because they had noticed a lag in information about
results, drawing threats from CNE President Francisco
Carrasquero and CNE Director Oscar Battaglini (pro-GOV) they
would toss out both international observer missions. Carter
and Gaviria subsequently met with Chavez, who reassured them
he would abide by the decision of the CNE. End Summary.

--------------
CD Briefs Diplomatic Corps
--------------


2. (SBU) The Coordinadora Democratica (CD) briefed the
diplomatic corps June 1 on the results of the May 28-30
signature appeals (reparos) for the presidential recall
referendum. DCM and poloff attended. Sumate representative
Roberto Abdul reported that 750,931 persons confirmed their
signatures, with 94,745 persons withdrawing their signatures,
for a net gain of 656,186. When added to the 1.91 million
signatures already certified by the National Electoral
Council (CNE),the number of valid signatures rises to
2,567,150, or 131,067 in excess of number needed to activate
the recall vote against President Hugo Chavez. Abdul said
they had taken 345 complaints from citizens about aggression
at the appeals centers, mistreatment by the military, and
confusing CNE procedures.

--------------
Zamora Accuses CNE of Delays
--------------


3. (U) On the evening of May 31, CNE Vice President Ezequiel
Zamora (pro-opposition) told reporters the CNE had lost a day
of work adding up the daily tally sheets (actas) due to

manipulation in the informatics department. Zamora also
complained that he had been denied access to information
about the appeals. Zamora denied rumors that the CNE had
developed new instructions to the committee processing the
actas, and threatened to "rebel" if the CNE generated new
rules now, after the fact.

--------------
Carter and Gaviria Make Surprise Visit
--------------


4. (U) Former President Jimmy Carter and OAS SYG Cesar
Gaviria arrived at the CNE minutes after Zamora's statement
and were received by Zamora and fellow opposition Director
Sobella Mejias. Carter and Gaviria found idle the offices
where the actas were supposed to be being tallied. They told
reporters they had come to the CNE because they were
concerned about the lag in information they were receiving
from the CNE. Carter subsequently met with President Chavez.
Carter told reporters June 1 that Chavez reiterated his
promise to abide by the CNE's decision. CNE Director Jorge
Rodriguez (pro-GOV) appeared before reporters after Carter
and Gaviria left the CNE and criticized the observers for not
having given prior notice of their visit. Rodriguez claimed
the totalization process was proceeding normally, noting that
some actas were slow to arrive at CNE site. Gaviria the
Ambassador on June 1 that CNE President Francisco Carrasquero
and Director Oscar Battaglini threatened to expel President

Carter and Gaviria. Carter and Gaviria did not blink.

--------------
CD Positive, But Laments Delays, Persecution
--------------


5. (U) CD negotiator Alberto Quiros told the diplomatic corps
June 1 Zamora's accusations the day before were justified.
The process is being carried out in a normal manner, he said,
with some inconveniences. Specifically, Quiros cited the
late delivery of actas from the states. He said that CNE had
informed him that morning that all but three states had been
received and the remainder would arrive at the CNE on June 1.
Quiros said he is confident the CNE is now working and can
announce final results by June 4. Fellow CD negotiator
Felipe Mujica, Secretary General of the Movement to Socialism
(MAS),asserted that there is no reason for the delays other
than that the CNE is waiting for the political decision from
Chavez as to how to proceed.

--------------
Chavistas Back CNE Authority, Cry Fraud
--------------


6. (U) Comando Ayacucho Coordinator Ismael Garcia told
reporters June 1 that the OAS and Carter Center (TCC) must
maintain their objectivity and not emit opinions that are the
competency of the CNE. Fifth Republic Movement (MVR) Deputy
William Tarek Saab accused the OAS/TCC of speaking on behalf
of opposition parties AD and COPEI and questioned the OAS'
inclusion of a State Department official in its observer
mission. MVR Director Elias Jaua told reporters June 1 the
appeals were a civic demonstration by Venezuelans despite
being "stained" by criminals linked to the
"counter-revolution" who falsified identity cards to forge
signatures. Jaua said the MVR would request the CNE permit
them a physical inspection of the appeals registers as part
of their complaint of alleged electoral crimes.

--------------
Comment
--------------


7. (C) The GOV is well aware there are enough signatures to
force the referendum. Chavista lieutenants continue to level
accusations against the opposition of massive fraud, setting
the stage for Chavez to reject the results of the appeals
should he so choose. He may also decide to squeeze the CNE
and eke out a favorable decision, as he did during the
signature drive.

SHAPIRO


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2004CARACA01878 - CONFIDENTIAL