Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04CARACAS312
2004-01-28 20:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:  

CARTER VISITS VENEZUELA TO OBSERVE REFERENDUM

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM VE 
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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 000312 

SIPDIS


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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM VE
SUBJECT: CARTER VISITS VENEZUELA TO OBSERVE REFERENDUM
PROCESS


Classified By: Mark Wells, Acting Political Counselor, for Reasons 1.4(
b) and (d)

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000312

SIPDIS


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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM VE
SUBJECT: CARTER VISITS VENEZUELA TO OBSERVE REFERENDUM
PROCESS


Classified By: Mark Wells, Acting Political Counselor, for Reasons 1.4(
b) and (d)

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


1. (C) From January 25-27, former President Jimmy Carter
visited Venezuela to observe the referendum process and meet
with the National Election Commission (CNE),Organization of
American States, the National Assembly (AN),the Supreme
Court, the Group of Friend's ambassadors, business leaders,
public and private media, opposition leaders, and President
Chavez. In press remarks, Carter said that he observed no
evidence of fraud in the referendum process, and that the GOV
did not make any allegations of "megafraud." He also asked
the private media to respect the CNE. Carter requested, and
obtained, CNE approval to extend OAS/Carter Center
observation to critical parts of the CNE signature
verification process. Carter indicated that he thought the
CNE was working hard, but it would not meet its 30-day
deadline (February 13) to verify the signatures, likely
reporting its results by March 1. Carter urged all parties
to accept the results of a constitutional, legal, transparent
CNE decision. Chavez told Carter that he would respect any
decision made by the CNE. Carter, however, could not obtain
the same commitment from all opposition leaders. End summary.

--------------
Carter's Schedule
--------------


2. (C) Carter arrived in Caracas on January 25 and the
Ambassador accompanied him from the airport. Later, Carter
had dinner with Venezuelan business leaders. On January 26,
Carter met with the TSJ, AN deputies from opposition and
pro-government parties, CNE leaders, opposition leaders,
Carter Center personnel, OAS representatives, and President
Chavez. The Ambassador attended a dinner with the Group of
Friends' ambassadors and Carter. At dinner, Carter noted the
CNE's hard work, but showed concern that the CNE is applying
more stringent revision of the signatures for the
presidential referendum than for the deputies. He also said
the CNE assured him that the presidential recall referendum
would not be delayed past August 19. On January 27, Carter

met again with Chavez and met with more opposition leaders.
Carter held a press conference in the afternoon.

--------------
Accepting the CNE Decision
--------------


3. (U) At the press conference, Carter stressed the need for
all parties to accept the decision of the CNE if the process
is considered constitutional, legal, and transparent. Carter
said that he received full access to the CNE. He also said
that the CNE has ensured international observers' access to
all stages of the verification process. Contrary to
statements by Chavez that Carter was surprised by evidence of
fraud by the opposition, Carter said that he was not/not
surprised by anything he saw. He said that Chavez presented
two or three actas (tally sheets) with errors. However,
Carter emphasized, "I have not seen any evidence of fraud."
To promote further transparency, Carter encouraged all five
CNE leaders to give updates through daily press conferences.
Pointing to the CNE's immense amount of work, Carter thought
that the CNE would announce a decision regarding the validity
of the signatures by March 1, missing the 30-day deadline of
February 13.


4. (U) Chavez said publicly that he had told Carter that he
wants the referendum process to be "completely transparent"
and that the government will accept any decision made by the
CNE. Meeting with Carter twice, Chavez offered support for
complete access to the referendum process for Carter and
international observers, saying that he has no problem with
the OAS and Carter Center observing the entire referendum


process. Carter indicated that there is a difference of
opinion within the opposition regarding the acceptance of any
CNE decision. Some opposition leaders assured him that they
would accept any CNE decision, but others did not.
Regardless of the CNE's decision, Carter pledged his personal
and the Carter Center,s support to Venezuela.

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


5. (C) Carter's visit was welcome and timely, coming at a
period of tension as the CNE struggles to complete its
mandate. Carter is clearly respected by all parties, who
view him as impartial and honest. His comments about not
seeing fraud (on either side) helped refocus the CNE on its
overwhelming task of verifying millions of signatures.
Specific accomplishments were Chavez's public message that he
would respect the CNE,s decision on the referendum; an
absence of GOV/Chavista public claims of "megafraud," more
private media tolerance/respect for the CNE; and the CNE's
decision to allow wider OAS/Carter Center observation of the
signature verification process. Where Carter came up a
little short was with the opposition, which at least as a
group was unwilling to respect any CNE decision that was
"constitutional, legal, and transparent."
SHAPIRO


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