COLUMNIST IN PRO-CHAVEZ DAILY CALLS RESIGNATION OF

UNCLAS CARACAS 003213 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/PDA LEBENS/BANKS/PROCTOR, WHA/PPC GALLEGOS, WHA/AND CUE/COLLINS, WHA/USOAS DWRAY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO PGOV OPRC PREL VE SUBJECT: COLUMNIST IN PRO-CHAVEZ DAILY CALLS RESIGNATION OF OAS SECRETARY GENERAL A U.S. COUP -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. The regular "Stumbling Block" column published under the pseudonym "Marciano" in the very pro-Chavez daily DIARIO VEA, bitterly attacked the resignation of Costa Rican Secretary General Miguel Angel Rodriguez. It described this SIPDIS as a U.S. coup to maintain control of the OAS. The Salvadoran OAS Secretary General candidate and any Peruvian candidate are seen as U.S. puppets. It is widely believed in Venezuela that "Marciano" is actually Venezuela's Vice- President, Jose Vincente Rangel. END SUMMARY. -------------- HEADLINE AND FULL TEXT -------------- ¶2. DIARIO VEA (pro-government, circ. 25,000) 10/13 Stumbling Block column headline: "Coup at the OAS" Quotes: "A coup was mounted against Miguel Angel Rodriguez at the OAS. Why does this columnist say that? Because everything is very clear. The U.S. did not like Rodriguez. The reasons were not that clear. When Cesar Gaviria's succession was discussed, the possible options were: the Chilean Insulza, Lagos' candidate, and the Salvadoran Flores, Washington's favorite candidate. Rodriguez did not stand out; he was only mentioned symbolically. What happened? Chavez involved himself in the process. He regarded Rodriguez as a good candidate to beat Flores "...the U.S. maneuvered but could not prevent the formation of a Caribbean and Latin American bloc in support of Rodriguez. Washington had no choice but to accept and said to itself: 'I'll get back at you later on!' "... The coup had been consummated. The U.S. has recovered, for the moment, control of the OAS through the gringo (sic) sub-secretary Einaudi, and the possibility of proposing captive candidates, such as the Salvadoran Flores or any Peruvian candidate that might be in line. This story is not over..." -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶5. The GoV and the more leftist Chavistas view the OAS with suspicion; the GoV had welcomed the election of Rodriguez as it perceived he would be a far less interventionist OAS Secretary General. In addition, the Salvadoran OAS SIPDIS Secretary General candidate, Flores, had provoked GoV ire by SIPDIS his early recognition of the April 2002, short-lived Carmona presidency. The charge that the USG is behind Rodriguez's departure has little resonance here; its appearance in VEA reflects both an instinctive suspicion of the USG as well as bald-faced manipulation. End Comment. Brownfield NNNN 2004CARACA03213 - UNCLASSIFIED