Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05CARACAS2388
2005-08-05 21:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH OAS MISSION LEADER PERINA

Tags:  PGOV PREL VE 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 002388 

SIPDIS


NSC FOR CBARTON
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL VE
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH OAS MISSION LEADER PERINA


Classified By: ACTING DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION JOHN S. CREAMER FOR 1.4 (
D)

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Summary
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C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 002388

SIPDIS


NSC FOR CBARTON
HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/18/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL VE
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH OAS MISSION LEADER PERINA


Classified By: ACTING DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION JOHN S. CREAMER FOR 1.4 (
D)

--------------
Summary
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1. (C) Ambassador met with OAS mission head Ruben Perina
and local OAS Representative Patricio Carbacho Thursday,
August 4 to emphasize USG concerns that the OAS and European
Union coordinate their strategies to ensure a credible
international observation of the legislative elections in
December. Perina took on board the Ambassador's comments,
but expressed concern that the OAS might find itself in a
difficult position if the National Electoral Council (CNE)
was more favorable toward the OAS' proposal than that of the
EU. Carbacho thought coordination would be easier to achieve
if it occurred at the EU Secretariat and OAS Secretary
General level. Post believes follow up discussions with
Perina and the Secretary General's office in Washington is
also necessary. End summary.


2. (C) Ambassador met with OAS Mission head Ruben Perina and
OAS resident Representative Patricio Carbacho, Thursday
August 4. Perina, who led the OAS' observer mission during
the 2000 elections, is in Caracas to explore prospects for
launching an OAS electoral observer mission for the
legislative elections is December. Carbacho has been OAS
representative in Venezuela for 13 years and has watched the
decline of the electoral system over the past five years.


3. (C) The Ambassador said the near certainty of an
overwhelming ruling party victory in the December elections
made it necessary for any observation effort to focus on
ensuring a transparent electoral process. The only way for
this to occur would be for an international observation
mission deemed credible by opposition and government
supporters to oversee electoral preparations and
implementation. The Ambassador stressed that the observers
must have at a minimum open access to all CNE offices, the
right to name all members of their observation mission, and
the right to publicly comment and publish reports on the
process without CNE interference. Absent this, the
Ambassador suggested the best option would be to refuse to
observe lest the organization be taken advantage of, lose
opposition confidence, and polarize the already tense

political system even more. He said the CNE is currently
refusing to grant the EU these essential rights. Given the
history of the OAS' observation of the 2004 recall
referendum, it would damage the OAS' credibility if it agreed
to observe the December elections and the EU refused due to
CNE instransigence. On this issue, perception might be more
important than reality.


4. (C) The Ambassador thought the European Union and OAS were
in a strong position to demand these assurances since
President Chavez expects to win easily in December and was
eager to have the elections blessed by the international
community. The Ambassador urged Perina to coordinate his
negotiation strategy and observation proposal with the EU to
maximize both organizations' bargaining leverage with the
CNE. While recognizing that time was running out for
negotiating with the CNE, the Ambassador emphasized that
consultations were important to preserve the integrity of
future international observation. (Note: The EU will present
its last proposal to the CNE next week after the OAS
delegation departs.)


5. (C) Perina accepted the Ambassador's advice, noting that
OAS SYG Insulza had instructed him to work closely with the
EU. Perina said he was aware of the problems that occurred
between the OAS and CNE during last year's recall referendum
and vowed not to compromise on any of the conditions in the
proposal (which is the OAS-GOV observation agreement for the
2000 elections) he planned to present to the CNE on Friday.
He also said he had seen a copy of the EU proposal and
thought that it coincided with the OAS position and the
minimum conditions raised by the Ambassador. Still, Perina
was concerned the EU might be more demanding in its
negotiations than the OAS, which would have to answer to its
member countries in the region if it was perceived to be too
strict. He also worried that the CNE might accept the OAS'


conditions but reject the EU's proposal, leaving the OAS in a
difficult position. Perina said the OAS would need an
invitation from the CNE by the beginning of September to have
enough time to mount a credible observation effort. The EU
will also need an agreement by that date.


6. (C) Carbacho suggested that the EU Secretariat contact
Secretary General Insulza to propose a coordinated strategy.

SIPDIS
Perina said that despite Insulza's interest in cooperating
with the EU, he could not originate the proposal without
appearing biased against the GOV and provoking regional
criticism. The Ambassador volunteered to raise that prospect
with Washington to facilitate the dialogue.

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Comment
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7. (C) We impressed upon Perina and Carbacho the CNE's
intention and ability to co-opt any international observers
it can to validate its biased and skewed electoral system.
The CNE is part of the problem, not the solution. As shown
by its treatment of the EU's draft, the CNE is unlikey to
accept all the OAS observation conditions. We believe it
would be a mistake for the OAS to observe the elections if
the EU refuses to due so because of the CNE's insistence on
unacceptable conditions. If the OAS does so, it will
reinforce the local perception that the OAS is incapable of
resisting GOV pressure. Perina appears to be aware of the
CNE's wiles and of the need to work with the EU, but he seems
unsure on how to proceed. We urge the Department to meet
with OAS SYG Insulza to reiterate the need for the OAS to
stand firm with the EU in the face of GOV pressure. In
addition, we ask that the Department meet with the
appropriate EU representatives to encourage them to
coordinate closely with the OAS on the observation conditions
and on their subsequent implementation. We will nudge the EU
reps down here in the same direction.
Brownfield


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2005CARACA02388 - CONFIDENTIAL