NATIONAL ASSEMBLY RELEASES FLIMSY REPORT ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 001676 SIPDIS HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD DEPARTMENT PASS TO AID/OTI (RPORTER) E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2028 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL VE SUBJECT: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY RELEASES FLIMSY REPORT ON ALLEGED ANTI-CHAVEZ PLOT CARACAS 00001676 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR FRANCISCO FERNANDEZ FOR REASON 1.4 (D) ¶1. (C) Summary. The National Assembly (NA) released a report calling on the Attorney General's Office (AG) to investigate retired military personnel, independent media owners, and businessmen for their supposed involvement in a conspiracy to assassinate President Chavez. It accused the USG of providing funds to destabilize Venezuela. The report also urged Conatel, the telecommunications agency, to investigate private media outlets for purportedly conducting a systematic campaign to discredit Chavez and promote his assassination. NA deputies implored the government to look into the activities of the Embassy's five American Corners. The report provides no real evidence but relies heavily on hearsay, transcripts from recorded messages between member of the opposition, and accusations that the free media is employing subliminal messages. The NA has now shifted its focus to proposing an amendment to the constitution that would allow for Chavez's indefinite re-election. End Summary. -------------- NA Releases Findings on Chavez Plot -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The NA's "Special Committee to Investigate a Coup and Assassination Attempt Against President Chavez," which was formed in late September, released its findings in a 100-page report on December 2. The Committee was formed after Mario Silva, an ardent Chavista talk show host, broadcast a recording of alleged phone conversations between Army MGEN Wilfredo Barroso Herrera, VADM Millan Millian, and Air Force BGEN Eduardo Baez Torrealba. The alleged voices spoke of seizing Miraflores using F-16s, state-controlled television stations, and the Naval Headquarters. Silva also named former Defense Minister Raul Isaias Baduel and Globovision owner Alberto Federico Ravell in the supposed plot. ¶3. (SBU) The report, which was placed on the back burner in the lead-up to the November state and local elections, focused on the alleged role of retired and active duty military officers, prominent figures in civil society, and the USG to discredit Chavez and thus justify a disruption in the constitutional order of power and ultimately Chavez's murder. The report relied heavily on the use of questionable witness testimony and possibly illegally-recorded telephone and text messages. ¶4. (SBU) Regarding the involvement of military personnel, the report states that the GBRV's intelligence apparatus "squashed" the plot mentioned by Silva but that further threats remain. NA deputies urged the government to continue its on-going investigation against the men named by Silva and their possible associates. ¶5. (SBU) The report's other primary target was civil society leaders, predominately private media owners. Miguel Henrique Otero, owner of daily El Nacional, Marcel Granier, director of Radio Caracas Television, Diego Arria, Baduel, Nelson Mezerhane, head of Fedecamaras, Ravell, Rafael Poleo, editor of the daily Un Nuevo Pais, and mayor-elect of Maracaibo Manuel Rosales were named as the supposed leaders of the civilian front to destabilize the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (GBRV) and promote the assassination of Chavez. ¶6. (SBU) Specifically, these persons are accused of discrediting Chavez and his government in the independent media and business circles and in so doing justify his assassination. The report lists instances where media outlets purportedly call for Chavez's murder through cheeky news headlines or the use of subliminal messages. It calls on Conatel to investigate these instances and sanction the networks if necessary. Likewise, it urges the Human Rights Ombudsman to protect citizens "from discriminatory messages that disrupt peace and social harmony." In its recommendations the Committee advocated that the AG's Office open an investigation against the individuals mentioned and present criminal charges if warranted. ¶7. (SBU) The Committee also repeatedly made mention of the USG's supposed efforts to finance destabilization projects against the GBRV. The report named local NGO partners and accused them of carrying out the "empire's" agenda. The report called on the government to investigate the USG's installation of five "virtual consulates (American Corners) without the permission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs." According to the report, the USG fears the repercussions that the Bolivarian Revolution could have in the region and around the world, as motives for its purported actions against Venezuela. -------------- Tascon: Report Doesn't Hold Water -------------- ¶8. (SBU) According to the media, NA Deputy and expelled PSUV member Luis Tascon, creator of the infamous Tascon List, said the report "lacked substance" and requested that the Committee be allowed more time to present evidence against the supposed conspirators. He warned that the report would be used against the NA because the arguments presented were too weak. Nevertheless, the report was approved by all deputies, with the exception of the Podemos party. ¶9. (SBU) After releasing the report, deputies from the pro-government NA set out to formulate a proposal to amend the constitution to allow for Chavez's indefinite reelection. Chavez originally granted his PSUV party permission to take up the issue via a signature drive. The NA, however, recently agreed to assume the task. According to the constitution, thirty parliamentarian are needed to approve the measure, which will later be put to a popular referendum. ¶10. (C) Comment: The GBRV routinely employs a variety of tactics to discredit its adversaries. In this instance, the National Assembly has synthesized a series of politically motivated charges without presenting any real evidence. Moreover, this case is significant given that the government has requested the formal investigation of several prominent business, media, and civil society leaders. The GBRV's release of private conversations in the public media is particularly worrisome and confirms reports we've heard from contacts that the government is actively conducting surveillance on opposition members. End Comment. GENNATIEMPO