SECRETARY POWELL'S STATEMENT ON THE VENEZUELAN

UNCLAS CARACAS 002595 SIPDIS FOR WHA/PDA,WHA/AND,INR/R/MR,PACE/PR/FPCW/WHA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO PGOV OPRC KIRC VE SUBJECT: SECRETARY POWELL'S STATEMENT ON THE VENEZUELAN REFERENDUM RECEIVES WIDE COVERAGE ON LAST DAY OF CAMPAIGN -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. On August 12, the last day of campaigning for the presidential recall referendum, the printed and electronic press are full stories on the various aspects of the referendum. While "El Universal" led with the story on the Pope's remarks and prayers to Venezuela, it also picked up Secretary of State Colin Powell's remarks, as did all the printed and electronic press. Perhaps the next most important theme was the need for transparency and most importantly the "totally" secret nature of the vote. Editorials and television shows with a host of invitees from both sides, gave their parting remarks before the mid-night deadline. -------------- SECRETARY POWELL STATEMENT ON VENEZUELA RECEIVES BROAD SIPDIS MEDIA COVERAGE -------------- ¶2. The statement by Secretary Powell on Venezuela was broadcast minutes after it was read in Washington by Globovision, a CNN-type program. "El Universal," a major daily also placed it in its website almost immediately after it was read with the title, "Powell Calls upon Venezuelans to Reject Violence." By the time it reached the printed page, the emphasis was changed to the call for "Rejection of Intimidation." Other newspapers followed by placing it on their websites as well. The "El Nacional" article emphazied the Secretary of State's call to Venezuelans to reject both "inimidation and violence." ¶3. On Friday morning, all the major dailies both in the capital and all the provinces, carried the story. "El Universal" lead with the story of the Pope's blessing to the Venezuelans, but beneath that headline was the note which reads "Colin Powell: The Secretary of State Calls upon Venezuelans to Reject Violence and Intimidation and Exercise Their Right to Vote." Both "El Nacional" and "El Universal" dedicated almost one whole page to the remarks of the Secretary, the Pope, and other international leaders. The leading dailies carried news of the story on the front-page, although it was not the leading headline it did receive more coverage that than the remarks of the Pope. The major TV news programs also ran the story. News of the Secretary's message was not covered by the pro-Chavez �00A;SIPDIS "Vea." The majority of editorials also emphasised the need to vote. -------------- OTHER REFERENDUM THEMES -------------- ¶4. Other stories with a referendum angle included news on a. the pending arrival of President Carter and OAS Secretary General Gaviria; SIPDIS b. the Wednesday press conference with Center Carter and ex-presidents of Argentina and Costa Rica; c. the Center Carter press conference at the CNE; d. doubts about the fingerprinting machine; e. the possible manipulation of data by the CNE; f. the call of the Episcopal Council for all Venezuelans to exercise their right to vote and reject violence; g. the need for transparency; h. and perhaps most important, the secrecy of the vote. ¶5. Both "El Universal" and "El Nacional" printed full pages (the former in color) of instructions on how the voting process worked. In the spirit of equality, opposition TV shows have invited pro-Chavez respresentatives as well. Another topic which caught the headlines was the attack on the Globovision vehicle and crew and the Spanish journalist who was caught up in the violence and wounded. -------------- TOP STORIES IN THE PRESS -------------- ¶6. a. OAS guarantees that the recall vote is secret. (El Nacional, El Diario de Caracas, Ultimas Noticias, El Globo, El Universal, 2001) b. Powell calls on Venezuelans to reject violence (The Daily Journal, El Universal, El Nacional, Ultimas Noticias, El Globo, El Nuevo Pas, Reporte, 2001, The Daily Journal) c. Pope prays for reconciliation in Venezuela. (The Daily Journal, El Universal, El Nacional, Ultimas Noticias, 2001) d. Venezuela's political opposition will close the recall campaign with a march on Caracas streets. (El Nacional, 2001, El Universal) -------------- OTHER REFERENDUM STORIES -------------- ¶7. a. CNE approves of norms to tally up votes and for the use of the fingerprint-taking machines. (El Universal, b. Jimmy Carter and Cesar Gaviria arrive in Venezuela tomorrow. (El Universal) c. Venezuelan Government decided to address Cantv's American partners to warn them of the risk they will run if the telephone company is involved in an electoral fraud. (Reporte, Diario Vea) d. Foreign journalist snatched in downtown Caracas. (The Daily Journal, El Universal, El Nacional) -------------- EDITORIALS AND OP-EDS -------------- ¶6. a. Today's top "El Nacional" editorial says that "the Venezuelan people should not miss out on this opportunity to settle accounts with a leader that ended up not being [a leader] such, but an adventurer that made us lose five valuable years in the development of the country." b. "El Universal," in an editorial, also called on Venezuelans to vote saying: "voting on August 15, more than exercising a right is fulfilling a duty, an obligation with the future, with future generations, with a present committed to rebuilding and putting the country on the right course." c. Political analyst Alberto Garrido wrote in "El Universal": "The nature of the revolution will be defined on August 15 once and for all. Chavez has said that his revolution 'is a process to destroy the system, not to remake it.' He repeated those words in his speech last Sunday. August 15 must mean, in his view, the extinction of the representative democracy." -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶7. On this the last day of the campaign the media is full of referendum related articles and stories. Interestingly, except for "Vea," the pro-Chavez daily and full-page pro-Chavez "non-ads" paid for the Union of Petroleum Workers, there was surprisingly little "Si" or "No" advertisement. The Venezuelan referendum has arrived at the homestretch. Shapiro NNNN 2004CARACA02595 - UNCLASSIFIED