CATHOLIC BISHOPS CRITICIZE INDEFINITE REELECTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 000050 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT PASS TO AID/OTI (RPORTER) E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/13/2029 TAGS: KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL VE SUBJECT: CATHOLIC BISHOPS CRITICIZE INDEFINITE REELECTION PROPOSAL REF: A. 08 CARACAS 1475 ¶B. 08 CARACAS 1783 CARACAS 00000050 001.3 OF 002 Classified By: A/Political Counselor Daniel Lawton, Reason 1.4 (D) ¶1. (C) Summary: The Catholic Conference of Bishops (CEV) issued a January 13 communique sharply criticizing President Chavez's proposal to change the 1999 Constitution to eliminate term limits for all elected positions. The CEV expressed doubts about the legality of Chavez's upcoming referendum as well as the political wisdom of pressing this polarizing issue. The bishops also lamented the level of violence, the continued decay of schools and hospitals, and public corruption in Venezuela. Just prior to issuing the communique, Maracaibo Archbishop Ubaldo Ramon Santa Sequera was reelected to a three-year term. He and the outspoken First and Second CEV Vice-Presidents have amplified their criticism of indefinite reelection in media interviews. Pundits believe that Catholic leaders' opposition to Chavez's proposed constitutional reform contributed to the defeat of that proposal in the December 2007 referendum. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Venezuela's Catholic bishops held their semi-annual conference in Caracas January 8-13. At the end of the conference, they issued a communique articulating their concerns with the legality and legitimacy of Chavez's planned referendum to eliminate term limits. They note that they are "worried about the attempt to reverse a popularly expressed opinion (in 2007) and the unusual speed with which the amendment is being pursued. This could lead to major political and social confrontations gravely affecting an already fragile peace." The Church statement further argues that the proposed referendum is in direct violation of the Venezuelan Constitution, which prohibits a proposal from being presented to the public twice in the same presidential period. (Note: Chavez and his supporters are arguing that the amendment proposal is different than the failed reform package. End Note). ¶3. (SBU) The written statement further expresses the Church's concern about the inability of Venezuelan authorities to address the increasing level of violence that has plagued the country. They note that "Today Venezuela is one of the most violent countries in the world... It appears that human life is worth nothing here. This violence is aggravated by the inability of security officials and the police to confront crime and due to deficiencies in the Judicial system resulting in further impunity." The CEV also lambaste what they perceive to be deteriorating conditions in Venezuela's schools, hospitals, and prisons, while noting that public corruption and the quest for power among public officials further threaten social peace and stability in the country. ¶4. (SBU) CEV President and Maracaibo Archbishop Ubaldo Ramon Santa Sequera, in a January 11 interview published by the opposition oriented Universal newspaper, stressed that Venezuelan Bishops are concerned about the continued polarization of Venezuela and the direction the country is taking. He stopped short, however, of criticizing the Venezuelan president directly. Ubaldo also expressed his fear that given the marked political polarization of Venezuelan society, his remarks could be misinterpreted as political in nature, rather than as moral concern for the country. He, newly elected CEV Vice President and Merida Archbishop Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo, and reelected CEV Second Vice President Robert Luckert, have reinforced the points contained in the CEV communique in recent local press interviews. ¶5. (C) Comment: Although the vast majority of Venezuelan's are Catholic, few attend church regularly. Nevertheless, the Catholic Church enjoys widespread credibility in Venezuela and the Catholic clergy is active nationwide, including in pro-Chavez neighborhoods. Pundits believe Church leaders contributed to the defeat of Chavez's constitutional reform package in December 2007. Just as they did in 2007, the Bishops stopped short of telling parishioners to vote "no," but their sharp criticism of both the substance of the proposed amendment and the procedure for moving ahead with a referendum make it very clear where they stand. While CEV President Ubaldo and Cardinal (and former CEV First Vice President) Jorge Urosa tend to choose their words carefully, the new CEV First and Second Vice Presidents are among the most outspoken clergy critical of Chavez's increasing authoritarianism. CARACAS 00000050 002.3 OF 002 CAULFIELD