COLUMNIST IN PRO-CHAVEZ DAILY CALLS RESIGNATION OF

UNCLAS CARACAS 003213

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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


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SUMMARY
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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

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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.

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HEADLINE AND FULL TEXT
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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..."

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COMMENT
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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

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Secretary General candidate, Flores, had provoked GoV ire by

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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


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2004CARACA03213 - UNCLASSIFIED