Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04CARACAS291
2004-01-27 18:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:  

DAS DESHAZO'S MEETING WITH CNE PRESIDENT

Tags:  PGOV PREL VE 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000291 

SIPDIS


STATE FOR WHA/AND
NSC FOR CBARTON
USCINCSO FOR POLAD
USAID DCHA/OTI FOR RUSSELL PORTER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL VE
SUBJECT: DAS DESHAZO'S MEETING WITH CNE PRESIDENT


Classified By: Ambassador Charles S. Shapiro for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
.

-------
SUMMARY
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000291

SIPDIS


STATE FOR WHA/AND
NSC FOR CBARTON
USCINCSO FOR POLAD
USAID DCHA/OTI FOR RUSSELL PORTER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2014
TAGS: PGOV PREL VE
SUBJECT: DAS DESHAZO'S MEETING WITH CNE PRESIDENT


Classified By: Ambassador Charles S. Shapiro for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
.

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) WHA DAS Peter DeShazo and the Ambassador discussed the
verification process for the recall referendum with National
Electoral Council (CNE) President Francisco Carrasquero and
CNE Secretary General William Pacheco January 22.
Carrasquero assured DeShazo that the process is on track to
be completed on or about February 15. He described
additional resources and guarantees of support the CNE has
received from the GOV. Carrasquero dismissed allegations of
"mega-fraud". He clarified several procedural details and
outlined a timeline for the steps necessary to the
verification process. He dismissed concerns about delays and
the CNE's ability to maintain its autonomy. He expressed
appreciation for international support and emphasized his
belief that things will continue to go well. End summary.

--------------
NO REASON FOR CONCERN
--------------


2. (C) Deputy Assistant Secretary DeShazo, Ambassador, DCM,
and econoff spoke with National Electoral Council (CNE)
President Francisco Carrasquero and CNE Secretary General
William Pacheco about the referendum signature verification
process on January 22. DeShazo opened the conversation by
noting that all international eyes are upon Venezuela and
that the center of attention is the CNE, stressing the
historic importance that the CNE's management of the
verification process--and beyond-- will have. Carrasquero
assured DeShazo and the Ambassador that the CNE would be able
to complete the verification process by the constitutionally
mandated deadline of February 15. He said the GOV had
offered more staff and computers, as well as a guarantee from
Vice President Rangel of credits for the purchase of
equipment. The CNE now has three teams working 24 hours
every day on the verification of signatures. Carrasquero
also noted that VP Rangel had visited him that day (note: as
Rangel had told DeShazo he would) and had stated publicly
that the GOV would respect whatever decision the CNE made.


3. (C) Carrasquero was not worried by recent criticism of the

CNE or by accusations of deliberate delays, but he did
express concern that certain sectors of society would not
respect the CNE's final decision. He insisted the
institution would maintain its independence and continue to
work in a calm and transparent manner. Carrasquero agreed
with DeShazo's positive assessment of the international
observers' role in maintaining transparency. Although the
teams had found a "normal" number of errors, Carrasquero said
there was no sign yet of fraud. He deemed it too early to
make a meaningful determination on the
issue.

--------------
TIMING AND TECHNICAL DETAILS
--------------


4. (C) DeShazo questioned Carrasquero on the details and
timing of several steps integral to the verification process.
Carrasquero confirmed that CNE teams were engaged in the
separate processes of physically verifying the tally
sheets/certifications ("actas") and the signature sheets
("planillas"). Once the physical verification is complete,
the quality control process of cross-checking rejected
signatures with existing electoral data can begin.
Carrasquero said the CNE would publish a list of rejected
signatures and a list of valid signatures in the national
press for review by the public. He explained that citizens
would have a period of five days to dispute their inclusion
on either list and could do so at regional CNE offices.
According to Carrasquero, the dispute period will occur
before February 13 when the final verification report will be
submitted to CNE board. The board will have two days to
approve the report. Carrasquero assured DeShazo that the

board would make a definitive decision and publish the
results of the signature drive in the electoral gazette on
February 15.


5. (C) CNE Secretary General William Pacheco told DeShazo
that each subject and author of a particular recall effort
would have the opportunity to audit the process. He
explained that either party could ask for copies of relevant
certification sheets and signature sheets to be certain that
CNE teams were operating with unaltered information. Pacheco
said copies of signature sheets had already been delivered to
several National Assembly members up for recall.

--------------
AFTER FEBRUARY 15...
--------------


6. (C) Carrasquero noted that the CNE's final decision on the
verification process would be open to Supreme Court
challenges for an unspecified time period after its
announcement. Also, he and Pacheco guaranteed the CNE's
technical ability to mount the various referenda within the
legal time-frame if warranted by the results of the
verification process. Carrasquero told DAS DeShazo the board
had already consulted with Spanish company, INDRA, about the
technical requirements. DeShazo congratulated Carrasquero on
his work so far and reiterated the USG's support for a
democratic, constitutional, electoral, and peaceful solution
to Venezuela's political crisis.


7. (C) The Ambassador asked Carrasquero about President
Chavez' allegations of "mega-fraud". Carrasquero said that
the CNE hadn't finished its work, but that there was no
mega-fraud. He pointedly repeated his December 2002 public
statement to the effect that the President's views on the
validity of votes was not important in the CNE's autonomous
verification process. DeShazo praised Carrasquero's
commitment to resisting political pressure, and emphasized
the importance of institutional independence and transparency
for the CNE's eventual decision to be seen as legitimate.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


8. (C) Carrasquero was upbeat and cordial. As critics on
both sides of the political spectrum currently beset the CNE,
it behooves Carrasquero not to display any uncertainty about
its capabilities. However, the presidential recall
referendum is a process of unprecedented technical and
political complexity. Despite Carrasquero's confident
insistence that the CNE will meet its February 13th deadline,
the date could slip. Between those in the CNE who may
attempt to slow the process, and the technical difficulties
imposed by the scope of work, delays will be hard to avoid.


9. (U) DAS DeShazo reviewed this message.
SHAPIRO


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