BRV REACTS TO EU OBSERVERS FINAL REPORT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 000719

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM VE
SUBJECT: BRV REACTS TO EU OBSERVERS FINAL REPORT

REF: 05 CARACAS 03761

Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT R. DOWNES FOR 1.4 (D)

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Summary
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1. (SBU) The EU international observation mission released
its final report in Caracas on March 15. Observers met with
government officials in advance to prepare them for the
report. Government response has been relatively positive,
although National Electoral Council President Jorge Rodriguez
has pointed out several apparent inconsistencies between
mission leader Jose Silva Peneda's public and private
comments and the report. Pro-government media outlets have
highlighted the report's criticism of the opposition's
withdrawal and Peneda's comment that the media should help
instill more confidence in the electoral system. Despite
these measured remarks, we do not rule out a more heated
response later, as occurred in December following the
observers' preliminary report (reftel). End Summary.

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EU Cites Distrust of CNE
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2. (SBU) The EU electoral observation mission returned to
Caracas March 9 to present its final report. Mission leaders
privately presented the report to the National Electoral
Council (CNE) and Vice President Rangel March 13 and 14,
respectively, before releasing it publicly March 15. (Note:
Post received a courtesy copy March 14.) In its press
conference, mission leader Jose Silva Peneda emphasized the
"high level of distrust in the electoral process," which he
said indicated the need to address significant structural
issues beyond just a change in CNE directors. In response to
several questions on the root causes for the current level of
political polarization, Peneda noted that "democracy is the
responsibility of both sides." He also said that the
opposition had as important a role in resolving electoral
crisis as the government. When asked his reaction to BRV
charges that the mission conspired with the USG and
opposition forces to use the report to discredit the
election, Peneda said he had "nothing particular to say," and
noted that electoral missions always consult with various
sectors of society and a variety of diplomatic missions.

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Government Response Measured, for Now
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3. (SBU) CNE President Jorge Rodriguez has taken the lead on
the government's response, which has been relatively mild, so
far, and focused more on the EU's press conference than the
report itself. He said he was generally pleased with the
report, but called his own press conference to complain "in
the most constructive spirit possible" about the tone of the
EU press conference and the media's focus on Peneda's
statement about the lack of voter confidence. That said,
Bolivarian sensitivity soon manifested itself. Rodriguez
argued that Peneda's repeated point about distrust on March
15 contradicted the report and what he had said to the CNE
two days before. He then played back excerpts of the remarks
at the CNE in which Peneda congratulates the CNE for "working
to preserve democracy amidst polarization and political
pressure." Next, Rodriguez read selected quotes from the
report that emphasize the soundness of the voting machines,
which are described as conforming to "international standards
for the most technically advanced machines." He further

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dismissed the comment about distrust, saying that polls were
needed to determine Venezuelan attitudes not media
commentary. Rodriguez said he had to speak out to balance
out the private media's skewed coverage of the press
conference and suggested that reporters take the report's
recommendation to stop emitting biased information.


4. (C) EU EOM deputy leader Domenico Tuccinardi and EU
diplomats told POLOFF the government's reaction in the
private meetings was positive. CNE Director Sobella Mejias
(protect) told PolCouns there had not been much discussion
during the March 13 meeting. Mejias took issue with the
mission's recommendation that the CNE invest more money into
poll worker training and voter education, noting the millions
of Bolivars that were spent on those areas during the last
election. Voters had an opportunity to learn about voting
procedures, she said, but did not take advantage of it
because of the opposition's continuing uncertainty over
whether to participate.


5. (SBU) Government-run media outlets have predictably
played up the positive parts of the report and the press
conference, particularly Peneda's quote that the machines are
"the most advanced in the world." They have also frequently
cited Peneda's alleged remark at the CNE March 13 that there
was "no reason not to trust the electoral system," and the
report's criticism of the opposition's pullout. In a dig at
its pro-opposition competition, the media also cited Peneda's
response to a Bolivarian News Agency (ABN) reporter that the
press should help create more confidence in the CNE. No
other high level officials have comment yet.

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Comment
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6. (C) Apart from a bit of defensiveness from Rodriguez,
the government has responded mildly to the report,
predictably playing up the favorable parts and using critical
excerpts to dig at and distract its opponents. However, we
do not discount the possibility of a more heated response
once the government, particularly President Chavez, digests
the report, as occurred following the preliminary report's
release last December (reftel).

BROWNFIELD