CHAVEZ RENEWS ALLEGATIONS OF U.S. PLOTTING

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000746

SIPDIS


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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM VE
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ RENEWS ALLEGATIONS OF U.S. PLOTTING


Classified By: Stephen G. McFarland, Deputy Chief of Mission,
for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).

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Summary
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1. (C) President Hugo Chavez repudiated international
criticisms against the GOV for human rights violations and
undemocratic practices, speaking to the diplomatic corps
March 5. DCM attending on behalf of the Ambassador, walked
out after Chavez reasserted allegations, made most recently
February 29 that the USG was responsible for the events of
April 11, 2002, and continues to finance subversive groups in
Venezuela. Chavez worked through the figures from the
National Electoral Council (CNE) that he alleged demonstrated
his theory of "megafraud" carried out by the opposition. The
two-and-a-half hour speech, carried on all broadcast media
(cadena),is Chavez's attempt to discredit the opposition on
the on the eve of its major march on March 6, and to counter
the poor image the GOV has created overseas. End Summary.

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Chavez Lashes Out At USG
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2. (U) President Hugo Chavez convened the diplomatic corps
March 5 for a two-and-a-half hour speech to "clear up
confusion" that other countries might have had regarding the
political situation in Venezuela. The address was nationally
broadcast obligatorily on all Venezuelan television and radio
stations. Chavez began with renewed accusations that the USG
planned the April 2002 alleged coup attempt. He reiterated
allegations that the U.S. had warships at the ready and
attack helicopters at the airport to carry out the coup,
similar, he said, to what happened to Haitian President
Aristide. Chavez said the USG is financing "terrorist"
groups in Venezuela seeking to destabilize the GOV. He
played scenes from the pro-Chavez documentary "The Revolution
Will Not Be Televised" to make his point. How long, he
queried the ambassadors, must we endure this type of
intervention.


3. (C) After Chavez's wild accusations on February 29 in
which he said the U.S. is preparing an invasion or blockade
of Venezuela and threatened to cut off oil, the Ambassador
chose not to attend and instead sent the DCM with
instructions to leave if appropriate. After Chavez attacked
the U.S., Chavez asserted that the U.S. was currently
supporting and financing coup plotters. The DCM stood up,
looked Chavez in the eye, and walked out without comment.

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Opposition Are The Violent Ones
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4. (U) Chavez showed photos from the February 27 march and
subsequent demonstrations showing demonstrators throwing
rocks and holding slingshots. He said they also had machine
guns and heavy weapons, though did not show images of them.
He accused the opposition of attempting to sabotage the Group
of 15 Summit on February 27. After February 27, the
President charged, the opposition engaged in "foquismo,"
trying to incite an uprising through localized
demonstrations.


5. (U) Chavez also accused the press of an international
campaign to discredit Venezuela's human rights' record. He
said those in the opposition are coup-plotters dressing up
like supporters of democracy and human rights. Chavez
defended GOV security forces for "fulfilling the role of the
state in maintaining public order." He blamed the four
leading Venezuelan television stations and CNN as accomplices
in a plot to promote "urban subversion and terrorism." He
described what he believed international reaction would be
when (not if) he closed one or more news media, and then
lamented he would have to take this step.

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Fraud is Everywhere
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6. (U) Chavez poured over the National Electoral Council's
(CNE) preliminary results of the opposition's signature drive
in support of a recall referendum against him. He showed
television spots from the CNE and the NGO Sumate that, he
said, made clear that all signers must have filled out their
personal data on the signature forms (Note: The CNE placed
876,017 "in observation" for these supposed irregularity.)
Chavez showed several examples of irregularities in the forms
such as signatures by minors, foreigners, deceased, and
errors in filling out the forms. The President challenged
the opposition to go to the requisite appeals process, saying
that he would agree to three days and 2,700 centers for the
process. He said he welcomed all international observers to
watch the appeals, subject to rules laid down by the CNE.

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Comment
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7. (C) Chavez continued the anti-U.S. message that he took to
new levels February 29. His statement about closing
opposition media coincides with the editorial line of GOV
daily "Vea," and should be taken as a serious threat. The
audio-visual components of the session made this more like
his weekly television address "Alo, Presidente" rather than
an address to the diplomatic corps. Chavez gave his side of
the story fully, but in doing so it is unlikely he won over
many members of the diplomatic community. More likely, by
maintaining and broadcasting his tough attitude, he is
signaling that he will not cede on the signatures appeals
process. He is also telling all Venezuelans that he will not
back off from the measures he has been taking against their
protests. That said, we believe Chavez remarks reflect
concern that Venezuela's international reputation has
declined in the last week. Chavez may also be worried the
opposition will gain momentum from the outpouring of
condemnation for violating human rights and democratic
practices by international human rights groups and foreign
press.

SHAPIRO


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2004CARACA00746 - CONFIDENTIAL