"GO TO HELL" VENEZUELAN MINISTER OF INFORMATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000603 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/25/2014 TAGS: KPAO OPRC PGOV PREL PROP SUBJECT: "GO TO HELL" VENEZUELAN MINISTER OF INFORMATION SAYS TO U.S. AND VENEZUELAN PRESS REF: CARACAS 598 Classified By: CDA STEPHEN G. MCFARLAND FOR 1.4 (D) ¶1. Summary: (U) Venezuelan Minister of Communication and Information Andres Izarra followed up on President Hugo Chavez's February 20 claim that the U.S. was trying to kill him by launching his own attack on the U.S. and Venezuelan media, starting with a February 21 press conference. He claimed that the U.S. had organized a media campaign Chavez's government. He charged that journalists from both nations were in the pay of the U.S. Government. He specifically named five journalists for U.S. publications as being part of the plot. Though he tacked back and forth through the week, he continued to single-out for attack Caracas-based British journalist Phil Gunston, who strings for the Miami Herald. It is uncertain why he singled out Gunston for special attention. On February 24 Izarra told "the poison press" to "go to hell." End Summary ¶2. (U) Minister of Communication and Information Andres Izarra began on Monday, February 21 with a press conference highlighted by a strident attack on the press in general and specifically the U.S. press. he charged that the U.S. Government has organized a media campaign against the Chavez government, with the active participation of the U.S. press, and support from the opposition press. He named five journalists and commentators and their U.S. news organizations: Mary Anastasia O'Grady, Wall Street Journal; Phil Gunston (British citizen),Miami Herald; Steve Harrigan, Fox News; Jackson Diehl, Washington Post; and academic Michael Schifter, Inter-American Dialogue. (The last is not a journalist but was named on the basis of op-eds he has written.) He opined that he "would not be surprised" if these journalists and others were being paid by Washington. He cited as evidence examples of both alleged previous propaganda skullduggery led by Otto Reich in the 80s, and the current cases of U.S. journalists Armstrong Williams and Maggie Gallagher reportedly receiving money from the U.S. government to support official policies. The opposition press was also accused of supporting this campaign. According to Izarra, the objective of this media campaign is to isolate Venezuela in international opinion, thus preparing the way for U.S. intervention. In a response to a question he denied he was threatening any journalist. ¶3. (U) The reaction in the Venezuelan opposition press the next day (Feb. 22) was to deride the idea that they or the U.S. press were being paid to oppose Chavez. Gunston spoke to the press and denied the charges against him, calling them "funny and ridiculous." This did not deter Minister Izarra, who continued to make the same charges in different forums for the rest of the week. Izarra did some tacking when asked for specifics. He denied that he had made direct charges against any journalists, noting that he had used the conditional case when discussing journalists being paid by the U.S. Government. By Thursday, February 24, Izarra was telling the "poison" press "to go to hell." He claimed to have sent letters to media companies complaining of their lies and distortions when writing about Chavez. he again specifically referred to the Miami Herald and Phil Gunston, who on this occasion he called "Mr. Gringo." He pointed to Iraq as an example of poisoning public opinion to justify an invasion. Telesur, the planned Venezuela-Brazil-Argentina satellite television network would bring the truth to Latin America, he declared. When asked in a local radio interview about Izarra's charges against the U.S. press, the Charge denied any U.S. media campaign and noted that the same American media that crticized Chavez also frequently criticized President Bush -------------- Why Gunston? -------------- ¶4. (C) In a meeting with Vice President Rangel's Chief of Staff, Rene Arreaza, the Charge was told that Gunston has (unpublished) innuendoes that 'outed' Izarra. In a later discussion with a PAS officer Gunston denied any special knowledge of Izarra's personal life. Gunston speculated that there could be several reasons why he had become a center of attention for Izarra. Of all the journalists named in the Feb. 21 press conference, Gunston is the only one based in Caracas. The Miami Herald is a special target for the Chavistas. The Chavez government was especially angered by a Miami Herald article headline on February 12, "Chavez Arming to Fight U.S.," which was co-written by Gunston and Stephen Dudley. Gunston also believes that his position as head of the local foreign press association makes him a more visible target. Gunston says the Chavistas have formed a rival press organization, the Independent Venezuelan Press Association, headed by a Syrian national, intended to bring together foreign and Venezuelan journalists. He said he had not had any personal contact with Izarra for months. Having defended himself he intends to lie low for a while. Gunston is certain that this was a planned provocation and that "Izarra is out of control." -------------- What's up with Izarra? -------------- ¶5. (C) Comment: Gunston and other observers believe that Izarra is feeling considerable pressure from Chavez over the bad international press that the Chavez government has received recently. As someone with a professional journalism background, Izarra was supposed to have the ability to control the foreign press. This tension combined with the vitriolic attacks made by President Chavez against the U.S. in the February 20 "Alo Presidente" program, pushed Izarra to try for a new level of invective against the U.S. and Venezuelan press. End Comment McFarland McFarland NNNN 2005CARACA00603 - CONFIDENTIAL