STUDENTS AND ANTI-REFORM SECTORS PROTEST

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 002120

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SIPDIS

HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/01/2017
TAGS: PGOV ASEC KDEM PHUM VE
SUBJECT: STUDENTS AND ANTI-REFORM SECTORS PROTEST
REFERENDUM, CLASHES ENSUE

REF: CARACAS 002077

CARACAS 00002120 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL COUNSELOR DANIEL LAWTON,
REASON 1.4 (D)


1. (C) Summary. Over 20,000 university student leaders and
anti-reform protesters marched to the National Electoral
Council's (CNE's) headquarters November 1 to petition the CNE
to postpone the referendum until February 2008. After
arriving at the CNE, some student delegates were refused
access to a meeting with CNE rectors, while others were
forcibly removed from the meeting after attempting to chain
themselves to CNE installations. Meanwhile, security forces
dispersed demonstrators with water cannons, tear gas, and
rubber bullets, injuring some students. Bolivarian Republic
of Venezuela (BRV) officials referred to the students as
"instigators," while students and staunch opposition groups
called for more street actions to protest President Chavez'
constitutional reform package. As anti-reform activities
intensify, the potential for more violent clashes
intensifies. End Summary.

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Students Protest Upcoming Referendum
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2. (SBU) Caracas university students and sectors opposed to
President Chavez' constitutional reform package marched from
the Central University in Venezuela's (UCV's) campus to the
National Electoral Council's (CNE's) headquarters November 1.
They petitioned the CNE to postpone the referendum until
February 2008 in order to give voters more time to become
familiar with the 69 proposed constitutional changes. (Note:
The referendum is tentatively scheduled for December 2. End
Note.) The march was convoked by Stalin Gonzalez, President
of the Federation of National Universities and law student at
the UCV, as a followed-up to the October 23 student-led march
to the National Assembly (reftel). More than 20,000 persons
participated in the march, making it somewhat larger than the
October 23 march. Important opposition leaders, including
Chacao Mayor Leopoldo Lopez, also participated in the
demonstration.

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March Turns Sour
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3. (SBU) Initially, the march to the CNE unfolded relatively
smoothly and few disturbances were reported along the route.
The protesters departed from UCV's campus at midday and
arrived at a pre-determined end point within a few blocks of
CNE's headquarters less than two hours later. At that time,
a delegation of approximately 12 student leaders, including
Gonzalez and Yon Goicochea, walked an extra three blocks to
the meet with CNE leaders. As the student delegation and the
press entered the CNE building, pro-Chavez supporters, who
were assembled in front of the building, could be seen on
live video throwing bottles at them.


4. (SBU) Inside the CNE, chaos reigned. Security forces
refused to allow approximately six students to enter and the
press corps access to a meeting with CNE rectors. A scuffle
ensued as students and reporters attempted to make their way
to the meeting. Minutes later, security forces forcibly
removed students from the meeting. According to one of the
four CNE rectors that received the student leaders, an
unknown number of students attempted to chain themselves to
CNE furnishings. As a result, security forces proceeded to
remove them. The same CNE rector conceded that some of the
National Guard (GN) officers were "too rough" with the
students. Tarek El Azzami, Vice Minister of Citizen
Security, referred to the students who attempting to chain
themselves as "guarimberos" or instigators, a term that
appeared on the front page of the government daily "VEA" to
describe the march participants.


5. (SBU) Outside, the environment changed quickly as well.
Globovision showed footage of security forces disbursing
demonstrators with water cannons, rubber bullets, and tear
gas bombs. A small number of students threw rocks at the GN
and Metropolitan Police. Security forces managed to pushed
back the demonstrators and cleared the streets surrounding
the CNE within a few minutes.

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Media Coverage

CARACAS 00002120 002.2 OF 002


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6. (SBU) As it has done in previous opposition student-led
demonstrations, Globovision aired the march in its entirety,
while government-owned media outlets shied away from covering
it. Government-affiliated VTV began covering the event as
student leaders were escorted out of the CNE building and
subsequently showed coverage of the disturbances taking place
in the streets. Not surprisingly, Globovision and VTV showed
opposing images of the events taking place outside the CNE.
For example, Globovision showed footage of security forces
launching tear gas bombs, while VTV focused its reporting on
a small groups of students throwing objects at GN officers.

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More Marches Expected
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7. (SBU) In the coming days more anti-reform marches are
expected to take place in Caracas. Opposition parties Brave
Alliance (Alianza Bravo Pueblo),Red Banner (Bandera Roja),
and the National Resistance Movement (CNR),along with Accion
Democratica (AD) plan to convoke a march November 3, while
student leaders announced a march for November 11. President
Chavez plans to lead a mass rally in Caracas November 4 to
mobilize support for his constitutional changes.

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Comment
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8. (C) Political polarization is intensifying as the formal
30-day campaign period leading up to the Constitutional
referendum begins. In addition to attacks on demonstrators,
Defense Intelligence (DIM) and National Intelligence Police
(DISIP) officials allegedly roughed up opposition party
leaders from Primero Justicia during the early morning hours
November 1 as they held a vigil outside of the Supreme Court.
Embassy is preparing a public announcement to Amcits
reminding them to steer clear of political demonstrations,
especially during the referendum campaign.

DUDDY