Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04CARACAS2726
2004-08-27 12:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:  

CHAVEZ INCREASING HIS INFLUENCE

Tags:  PGOV PHUM KDEM VE 
pdf how-to read a cable
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 002726 

SIPDIS


NSC FOR CBARTON
USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD
STATE PASS USAID FOR DCHA/OTI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2014
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ INCREASING HIS INFLUENCE

Classified By: A/DCM Abelardo A. Arias for Reason 1.5(d)

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 002726

SIPDIS


NSC FOR CBARTON
USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD
STATE PASS USAID FOR DCHA/OTI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2014
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ INCREASING HIS INFLUENCE

Classified By: A/DCM Abelardo A. Arias for Reason 1.5(d)

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


1. (U) President Hugo Chavez announced his intentions to
deepen the "revolution" and disqualified the Coordinadora
Democratica as a legitimate political opposition during his
5-hour television show "Alo, Presidente" on August 22.
During the program, Chavez also designated Andres Izarra, the
Press Secretary at the Venezuelan Embassy in the United
States, as the new Minister of Communication and Information,
replacing Jesse Chacon, who he named Minister of Interior and
Justice. Chavez briefly mentioned the USG, reading a U.S.
newspaper editorial and in conjunction with international
observers' comments. End Summary.

--------------
Strengthening the Revolution
--------------


2. (U) President Hugo Chavez used his weekly televised "Alo,
Presidente" program August 22 to outline his plans for moving
forward and deepening the "revolution", which included
increasing governance and decreasing corruption. Chavez said
he would push for the approval of the "Social Responsibility
Law for Radio and Television" that imposes limits on private
media and gives the government more control over it. "This
should not be seen as a threat, but as a guarantee for more
order. This will increase governance," Chavez said. While
Chavez asserted that this would help prevent radio and
television transmissions used to incite "terrorist or
destabilizing" acts, the Venezuelan independent media refers
to the proposed legislation as a "gag law."


3. (U) Chavez invited public officials to eliminate
corruption and do their jobs honestly so as to end all
similarities to the "Fourth Republic." He said the National
Assembly needed to move forward and appoint the new judges to
the Supreme Court, which is currently comprised of 20 judges.
Chavez said this would, "take the courts out of corrupt
hands." Opposition members, however, say that this will
effectively give Chavez control of the court system.

--------------
Chavez Disavows the Democratic Coordinator
--------------


4. (U) Since the Coordinadora Democratica continues to allege
fraud in the referendum, despite announcements to the
contrary from the Carter Center and Organization of American
States (OAS),Chavez said he does not recognize the
Coordinadora. Chavez said, "We cannot dialog with those who
do not recognize the Constitution, the people." Chavez
called for "new leaders" of the opposition to step forward --
governors, mayors or business leaders who are "serious" and
recognized the results of a democratic election. Chavez said
that despite his win the "rich" should not worry because
their rights are guaranteed. "This is a revolution of love,
not one filled with hate, nor blood, nor death, nor is it a
revolution that ignores the rights of others. What we can is
national unity, debate; the transformation of what the word
"revolution" means," Chavez said.

--------------
Cabinet Reshuffled
--------------


5. (U) Chavez also designated Andres Izarra, a journalist and
the Press Secretary at the Venezuelan Embassy in the United
States, as the new Minister of Communication and Information.
Izzarra will replace Jesse Chacon who Chavez named the new
Minister of Interior and Justice. The former Minister of
Interior and Justice, Lucas Rincon, was praised by Chavez
during his national address, but has not been appointed to a
new position by the President.

--------------
USG Ignored
--------------


6. (U) Chavez briefly mentioned the USG. He read a
translation of a "LA Times" editorial which said the USG had

supported the coup d'etat in 2002 but was now going to work
with Chavez. While talking about receiving recognition from
the Carter Center and OAS, Chavez also said, "The Bush
government honored their word (recognized the results of the
referendum)."

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


7. (C) Rincon struck most of the diplomatic corps as a loon.
Chacon, a trusted former co-conspirator in the 1992 coup, is
more competent, suggesting Chavez wants more from the
Interior (police) Ministry. Chavez was clear that he is
increasing his hold and influence on Venezuelan institutions.
His vow to deepen the revolution ostensibly focuses on
reducing corruption and increasing MVR and GOV honesty
(septel). Chavez is also poised to increase government
ability to control private radio and television stations
should the media bill become law. Chavez' very brief mention
of the USG contrasts with his pre-referendum attacks against
the U.S.
McFarland


NNNN
2004CARACA02726 - CONFIDENTIAL