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AA AADP AALC ABDALLAH FETHI ABDULHADI ABDULRAHMEN ABER ABLD ABLDG ABLG ABMC ABT ABUD AC ACABQ ACAO ACBAQ ACCELERATED ACCOUNT ACDA ACEC ACKM ACOA ACOTA ACS ACTION ADANA ADB ADCO ADCP ADEL ADEP ADIP ADM ADMIRAL ADPM ADRC AE AEC AECL AEGR AEIR AEM AEMED AEMR AER AESC AF AFAF AL HOURANI AFARI AFDB AFDIN AFFAIRS AFGHAN AFGHANISTAN AFIN AFL AFLU AFOR AFR AFSA AFSI AFSN AFU AFZAL AG AGAO AGENDA AGENGA AGIT AGMT AGOA AGR AGRI AGRIC AGRICULTURE AGS AGUILAR AGUIRRE AHMED AI AIAG AID AIDAC AIDS AIEA AIHRC AIN AINF AINFCY AINR AINT AISG AIT AJ AK AL ALAB ALAMI ALANAZI ALBE ALEXANDER ALI ALIREZA ALJAZEERA ALL ALNEA ALOUNI ALOW ALOWAR ALVAREZ AM AMAT AMB AMBASSADOR AMCHAM AMCHAMS AMCT AME AMED AMEDI AMEMR AMER AMERICAS AMEX AMG AMGE AMGMT AMGT AMIA AMLB AMPR AMT AMTC AMTG AN ANARCHISTS ANC AND ANDREW LEE WATKINS ANET ANTITERRORISM ANTOINE GHONDA ANTONIO ANTXON AO AOCR AODE AOIC AOMS AOPR AORC AORD AOREC AORG AORL AOWC AP APCS APDC APEC APECO APER APR APRC APRM AQ AR ARAB ARABBL ARABL ARABLEAGUE ARAS ARC ARCH ARENA AREP ARF ARG ARM ARMITAGE ARMS ARNOLD FREDERICK MORRIS AROC ARR ARRMZY ARSO AS ASA ASAC ASC ASCC ASCE ASCEC ASCH ASE ASEAN ASEC ASECARP ASECE ASECM ASECSI ASECVE ASED ASEDC ASEG ASEK ASES ASEX ASFC ASIC ASIG ASIR ASJA ASO ASOC ASPA ASR ASSEMBLY ASSK ASSSEMBLY ASUP AT ATFN ATPDEA ATRA ATRD ATRN AU AU-1 AUC AUNR AUSGR AUSTRALIAGROUP AV AVERY AVIAN AVIANFLU AVIATION AW AX AY AZ AZE B. BA BAGHDAD BAIO BAKOYANNIS BALKANS BAPOL BARACK BASHAR BATA BAYS BB BBG BBSR BC BCW BCXP BD BE BEAN BELLVIEW BEN BERARDUCCI BESP BEXB BEXP BEXPC BEXPPLM BEXT BF BFIF BFIN BFIO BG BGD BGMT BH BHUM BI BIC BIDOON BIH BILAT BIMSTEC BINR BIO BIOS BIOTECH BIOTECHNOLOGY BIT BITO BK BL BLR BLUE BLUNT BM BMENA BMGT BMOT BN BNUC BO BOIKO BOL BOND BOQ BORDER BOSNIA BOU BOUCHAIB KAKA BOUTERSE BP BPIS BPTS BR BRIAN BRITNEY BRITNY BRPA BRUSSELS BS BSSR BT BTA BTC BTIO BTIU BTRA BTT BU BUD BULGARIA BURMA BURNS BUSH BUY AMERICA BV BW BWC BX BXEP BY BZ CA CAC CACM CACS CAFTA CAIO CAJC CAMBODIA CAN CAPC CARC CARE CARIB CARICOM CARSON CAS CASA CASC CASCC CASCR CASE CASTILLO CAVO CB CBC CBD CBE CBG CBIS CBM CBSA CBTH CBW CCSR CCY CD CDB CDC CDCC CDCE CDG CDI CE CEA CEC CEDAW CEN CENSUS CENTCOM CENTRIC CEUDA CF CFE CFED CFG CFIS CFSP CG CGEN CGOPRC CH CHAD CHALLENGE CHAO CHAVEZ CHELIDZE CHENEY CHERTOFF CHG CHIEF CHN CHR CHR-1 CHRISTIAN CHRISTOF CHRISTOPHER CI CIA CIAT CIC CICTE CIDA CIO CIP CIS CITEL CITES CITIBANK CITT CIVAIR CIVS CJ CJAN CJUS CK CKGR CKOR CL CLEARANCE CLINTON CLMT CLO CLOK CM CMAE CMFT CMGT CMP CMT CN CNAR CNARC CNC CNO CO CODEL COE COL COLIN COLLECTIVE COLOMBO COM COMESA COMMERCE CON CONAWAY CONDOLEEZZA CONDOLEEZZA RICE CONEAZ CONG CONGO CONGRINT CONS CONSULAR CONTROL CONTROLS CORRUPTION COSI COUNTER COUNTER TERRORISM COUNTERTERRORISM COUNTRY COUNTRYCLEARANCE CP CPA CPAS CPC CPCTC CPPT CPUOS CQ CR CRIM CRIME CRIMES CRISTINA CRM CROATIA CROS CRS CRUZ CS CSCE CSEP CSIS CSW CT CTBT CTER CTERR CTM CTR CTRYCLR CU CUCO CUIS CUL CUSTODIO CV CVIA CVIC CVIS CVISU CVPR CVR CW CWC CWCM CWG CX CY CYNTHIA CYP CYPRUSARMS CZ DA DAC DAFR DAN DANFUNG DANIEL DAO DARFR DARFUR DAVID DAVID LEE HOWES DAVID WELCH DAVID WILLIAM RAY DB DC DCDG DCG DCHA DCI DCM DCOM DCRM DE DEA DEAX DEFENSE DEFENSEREFORM DELTAVIOLENCE DEM DEMARCHE DEMARCHES DEMETRIOS DEMOCRATIC DENNIS DEOC DEPORTATION DEPT DEPT FOR DS COMMAND CENTER DESI DHA DHLAKAMA DHLS DHRF DHS DHSX DIEZ DIPLOMACY DISENGAGEMENT DJ DK DKEM DMIN DMINE DO DOC DOD DOE DOJ DOMC DOMESTIC DOMESTICPOLITICS DONALD RUMSFELD DOT DPAO DPKO DPM DPOL DPRK DR DRC DRIP DRL DS DSR DSS DTFN DTRA DTRO DU DUNCAN CAMERON DVC DY EAC EAD EADI EADM EAG EAGER EAGR EAI EAIC EAID EAIDB EAIDCIN EAIDEGZ EAIDMG EAIDNI EAIF EAIG EAIO EAIR EAIS EAIT EAOD EAP EAPC EAR EARI EASS EATO EAUD EAVI EB EBEXP EBRD EBUD EC ECA ECCP ECCT ECE ECHEVARRIA ECIN ECIP ECLAC ECN ECOIN ECOM ECON ECONCS ECONEGE ECONOMIC ECONOMICS ECONOMY ECONOMY AND FINANCE ECOR ECOS ECOSOC ECOWAS ECPC ECPN ECPO ECPS ECPSN ECRM ECTRD ECUN ED EDA EDEV EDRC EDU EDUARDO EDUC EE EEB EEC EENG EENV EEOC EET EETC EFI EFIC EFIM EFIN EFIS EFLU EFN EFND EFNI EFQ EFTA EG EGAD EGAR EGEN EGHG EGOV EGOVSY EH EI EIAD EIAID EIAR EIB EICN EID EIDE EIDN EIFN EIN EIND EINDIR EINF EING EINN EINO EINR EINT EINV EINZ EIPR EIQ EISL EISNLN EITC EITI EIVN EK EL ELA ELAB ELAD ELAINE ELAM ELAN ELAP ELB ELBA ELBR ELEC ELECTIONS ELF ELIN ELN ELND ELNT ELTD ELTM ELTN ELTRN EMAIL EMED EMI EMIN EMN EMS EMW EN END ENDURING ENEG ENER ENERG ENERGY ENFR ENG ENGR ENGRD ENGRG ENGY ENIV ENLT ENNP ENR ENRC ENRG ENRL ENTG ENV ENVI ENVIRONMENT ENVR ENVT EON EOXC EP EPA EPAT EPCS EPE EPEC EPECO EPET EPIN EPIT EPPD EPRT EPSC EPTE EPTED EPWR EQ EQRD ER ERA ERD EREL ERGR ERICKSON ERIN ERTD ES ESA ESCAP ESCI ESDP ESENV ESF ESLCO ESOC ESOCI ESPS ESS ESSO ESTH ESTN ESTRADA ET ETA ETAD ETC ETCC ETD ETDR ETEL ETER ETEX ETFN ETIC ETIO ETLN ETMIN ETR ETRA ETRAD ETRB ETRC ETRD ETRDECD ETRG ETRK ETRN ETRO ETRP ETT ETTC ETTD ETTF ETTN ETTR ETTRD ETTW ETZ EU EUC EUCOM EUE EUEAID EUFOR EUM EUMEM EUN EUR EUREM EURM EURN EV EVENTS EVN EWRG EWT EWTR EWWT EX EXBS EXEC EXIM EXO EXPORT EXTERNAL EZ FA FAA FAC FAGR FAO FARC FARM FAS FATAH FBI FCC FCS FCSC FCSCEG FCUL FDA FDIC FEDULOV FEMA FERNANDO FGM FI FIGUEROA FIN FINANCE FINE FINR FINREF FINV FIR FISO FJ FK FKFLO FKLU FLU FM FMC FMGT FMLN FMS FO FOI FOOKS FOR FORCE FORCES FOREIGN FORWHA FP FPC FR FRA FRANCIS FRANCISCO RODENAS RUIZ FRANCISCO VILLA URBALEJO FRAZER FRB FREDOM FREEDOM FRELIMO FRIED FRN FRU FSC FSI FT FTA FTAA FWS GA GAERC GAMES GANGS GAO GARCIA GASPAR GATES GATT GAZA GAZPROM GB GBSLE GC GCC GCCC GE GEF GEORGE GERARD GESKE GF GG GH GI GIPNC GIWI GJ GKGIC GL GLOBAL GM GN GO GOG GOI GOMEZ GON GOVPOI GPGOV GPI GPOI GPOV GR GREGG RENE WALTER GRQ GS GT GTIP GTMO GTREFTEL GU GUAM GUANTANAMO GUIDANCE GUILLERMO GUTIERREZ GV GWI GY GZ GZIS HA HAMID KARZAI HARRIET HARRY HAWZ HCOPIL HDP HE HEAVEN HEBRON HECTOR HELGERSON HERCEGOVINA HG HHS HI HIGHLIGHTS HIJAZI HILARY HILLARY HILLEN HIPC HIV HIZ HK HKSX HL HLSX HN HNCHR HO HOA HOSTAGES HPKO HR HRC HRCS HRICTY HRIGHTS HRKSTC HSI HSTC HSWG HT HTCG HTSC HU HUD HUM HUMAN HUMANITARIAN HUMANR HUMANRIGHTS HUMOR HUMRIT HUNRC HURI HURRICANE HYDE HYLAND HYMPSK HZ IA IACHR IACI IACO IACW IADB IAEA IAES IAHRC IAIE IAII IASA IATTC IAZ IBB IBD IBET IBPCA IBRB IBRD IC ICAC ICAO ICC ICCAT ICCROM ICES ICJ ICRC ICRS ICSCA ICTR ICTY ID IDA IDB IDLI IDLO IDP IDR IE IEA IEAB IEF IF IFAD IFC IFIN IFM IFO IFR IFRC IG IGAD IGF IHO IICA IINS IIP IK IL ILAB ILC ILEA ILO IMC IMET IMF IMMIGRATION IMO IMSO IMTS IN INAUGURATION INCB IND INDO INF INFLUENZA INL INMARSAT INNP INPFC INR INRA INRB INRD INRO INRPAZ INS INSC INT INTEL INTELLECTUAL INTELSAT INTERNAL INTERPOL INV INVI IO IOC IOM IP IPET IPGRI IPK IPPC IPR IPROP IQ IQNV IR IRAN IRAQ IRAQI IRAQI FREEDOM IRC IRCE IRDB IRE IRL IRLE IRM IRMO IRNB IRPE IRQEGION IRS IS ISA ISAAC ISAF ISCA ISCON ISLAMISTS ISLE ISN ISNV ISO ISPA ISPL ISRAEL ISRAEL RELATIONS ISRAELI ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS ISSUES ISTC IT ITA ITALIAN ITALY ITECIP ITEIND ITELTN ITER ITF ITIA ITRA ITRD ITU IUCN IV IVIANNA IWC IWI IX IZ IZAORC JA JABER JAM JAMES JAPAN JAT JAWAD JCIC JE JEAN-PIERRE BEMBA JEFFERY JEFFREY JENDAYI JHR JI JIMENEZ JIMENEZ CHILDREN JK JKUS JM JN JO JOHANNS JOHN JOHN BOEHNER JOHNNIE JONATHAN CHAMAN JOSE ANGEL ALZUGUREN PERURENA JOSE NEY MILA ESPINOSA JOSE RAMOS HORTA JOSEPH BIDEN JP JS JSRP JUAN JULIAN RENE KIRCHOFF JUS JY KA KACP KACT KACW KADM KAID KALM KALR KANSOU KAPO KARIM WADE KATRINA KAUST KAWC KAWK KAWL KAWS KAWX KAYLA KBCT KBDS KBEM KBIO KBNC KBTC KBTR KBTS KBWG KCCP KCEM KCERS KCFC KCFE KCGC KCHG KCIP KCIS KCM KCMA KCMR KCOG KCOM KCOR KCPS KCRCM KCRI KCRIM KCRM KCRN KCRO KCROM KCROR KCRP KCRS KCRT KCSA KCSI KCSY KCUL KCUM KCVM KCWI KDCM KDDEM KDDG KDE KDEM KDEN KDET KDEV KDGOV KDGR KDHS KDM KDMR KDP KDRG KDRL KDTB KDUM KE KEAI KEANE KEBG KECF KEDEM KEDM KEDU KEIM KEM KEMPI KEMR KEMS KEN KENV KERF KERG KESO KESP KESS KEVIN KFAM KFCE KFE KFEM KFGM KFIN KFIU KFLD KFLO KFLU KFOR KFPC KFRD KFRP KFSC KFTFN KFTN KG KGCC KGCN KGHA KGHG KGIC KGICKS KGIT KGIV KGKG KGLB KGOR KGOV KH KHDP KHGH KHIB KHIV KHJUS KHLS KHMN KHOURY KHPD KHSA KHSL KHUM KI KIBL KICA KICC KICCPUR KICR KICT KID KIDE KIF KIFR KIIC KIIP KIL KILS KIMMITT KIMT KIND KINF KINL KINP KINR KINT KIPR KIPT KIRC KIRD KIRF KIRL KIRP KIS KISC KISK KISL KISM KISR KITA KIVP KIVR KJAN KJRE KJU KJUS KJUST KJWC KK KKIV KKNP KKOR KKPO KLAB KLAP KLBO KLEG KLFLO KLFU KLHS KLIG KLIP KLPM KLSO KLTN KM KMAC KMAR KMCA KMCC KMCR KMDR KMEPI KMFO KMGT KMIG KMNP KMOC KMPF KMPI KMPIO KMPL KMPP KMPT KMRD KMRS KMSG KMVP KMWN KN KNAO KNAP KNAR KNDP KNEI KNEP KNET KNMP KNN KNNA KNNB KNNC KNNF KNNO KNNP KNNR KNOP KNP KNPP KNPPIS KNPR KNPT KNRG KNRV KNSD KNUC KNUP KO KOC KOCI KOCM KOEM KOGL KOLY KOM KOMC KOMCCO KOMCSG KOMH KOMO KOMS KOR KOSOVO KOUYATE KPA KPAD KPAI KPAK KPAL KPALAOIS KPAM KPAO KPAS KPBT KPDD KPEM KPEO KPER KPET KPIN KPIR KPKO KPKP KPLS KPMI KPMO KPO KPOA KPOKO KPOL KPOP KPOV KPOW KPPAO KPPD KPRD KPRM KPRO KPROG KPRP KPRV KPSC KPTD KPTS KPWG KPWR KQ KQM KQRDQ KR KRAD KRAL KRCIM KRCM KRCS KRD KRDP KREC KREF KREISLER KREL KRF KRFD KRFR KRG KRGY KRIC KRIF KRIM KRKO KRM KRMS KRV KRVC KS KSA KSAC KSAF KSCA KSCI KSCS KSCT KSEAO KSEC KSEI KSEO KSEP KSI KSIA KSKN KSLG KSMT KSOC KSOCI KSPA KSPR KSRE KSTC KSTCC KSTCPL KSTH KSTS KSTT KSUM KSUP KT KTAO KTBD KTBT KTCRE KTDB KTDD KTDM KTER KTEX KTFIN KTFM KTFN KTFR KTFS KTIA KTIP KTLA KTNBT KTNF KTPN KTRD KTRF KTSC KTSD KTTB KTTC KTTP KU KUAE KUIR KUM KUNA KUNC KUNH KUNP KUNR KUS KUWAIT KV KVBL KVIP KVIR KVIS KVPR KVRC KVRP KW KWAC KWAK KWAWC KWBC KWBG KWBW KWCI KWCR KWGB KWHG KWIC KWIM KWIR KWKN KWM KWMJN KWMM KWMN KWN KWNM KWNN KWOMN KWPA KWPB KWPG KWPR KWRC KWRF KWRG KWUN KWWT KWWW KX KY KZ LA LAB LABOR LANSANA LANTERN LARREA LARS LAS LAURA LAVIN LAW LB LBAR LBY LE LEAGUE LEB LEBIK LEGAT LEGATT LEIS LEON LEVINE LEW LG LGAT LH LI LIB LICC LIMA LINE LK LMS LN LO LOG LOPEZ LORAN LOTT LOVE LR LS LT LTG LTTE LU LV LVPR LY LZ MA MAAR MACEDONIA MACP MANUEL MANUEL SERGIO GONZALEZ MAP MAPP MAPS MAR MARAD MARANTIS MARIA MARIE MARINO MARITIME MARK MARQUEZ MARR MARS MARTIN MARV MAS MASC MASS MATT MAYA MB MBM MC MCA MCAP MCAPARR MCAPN MCAPP MCAPS MCAT MCC MCCAIN MCCONNELL MCCP MCGRAW MCRM MCTRE MD MDA MDC MDO ME MEA MED MEDIA MEETINGS MENDIETA MEP MEPI MEPN MEPP MERCOSUR MESUR MEX MF MFA MFO MG MGL MGMT MGOV MGT MGTA MH MHUC MI MIAH MIC MICHAEL MICHEL MIGUEL FELIPE CANAHUATI YACAMAN MIGUEL VARGAS MALDONADO MIK MIKE MIL MILI MILITANTS MILITARY MILLENNIUM MINURSO MINUSTAH MITCHELL MJ MK ML MLS MMAR MMED MN MNLF MNNC MNNUC MNU MNUC MNUCH MNUCWA MNUM MNUN MNUR MNUS MNVC MO MOHAMAD MOHAMED HESHAM ELDIN YOUSSEF MOHAMMAD MOLINA MONTENEGRO MONUC MONY MOOPS MOP MOPP MOPPS MOPS MORALES MORG MOROCCO MORS MOS MOTO MOTT MP MPOL MPOS MPP MPS MQADHAFI MR MRCRE MRRR MRS MRSEC MS MSG MSIG MT MTAA MTAG MTCAE MTCR MTCRA MTCRE MTRCE MTRE MTRRE MTS MU MUC MUCN MUKASEY MULLEN MUNC MURAD MURRAY MV MW MX MY MZ NA NAC NACB NADIA NAFTA NAM NAMSA NANCY NAR NARC NARCOTICS NARR NAS NASA NAT NATEU NATGAS NATIONAL NATO NATOAFGHAN NATOBALKANS NATOIRAQ NATOOPS NATOPOLICY NATSIOS NAVO NB NBTS NBU NC NCCC NCD NCT NCTC NDI NDP NE NEA NEC NEGROPONTE NEI NELSON NEPAD NERG NET NEW NFATC NFMS NFSO NG NGO NGUYEN NH NI NICHOLAS NICOLE NIH NIPP NK NKWG NL NLD NLIAEA NLO NMFS NMNUC NMUC NNPT NO NOAA NOI NOK NON NONE NORAD NOTAG NOVO NP NPA NPG NPT NR NRC NRG NRR NRRC NS NSC NSF NSFO NSG NSSP NT NTDB NTSB NTTC NU NUC NUIN NV NW NZ NZUS OA OAO OARC OAS OASC OASCC OASS OAU OBAMA OBS OBSP OCBD OCEA OCED OCHA OCII OCRA OCS OCSE ODAG ODC ODIP ODPC OECD OECS OECV OES OESC OEXC OEXP OF OFDA OFDC OFDP OFDPQIS OFFICIALS OFPD OFSO OGAC OGIV OHCHR OHI OHIP OI OIC OICCO OIE OIF OIG OIIP OIL OIM OLY OLYAIR OLYMPICS OM OMAR OMB OMIG OMS ON ONA OPAD OPBAT OPC OPCD OPCR OPCW OPDAT OPDC OPDP OPEC OPET OPIC OPID OPOC OPPC OPRC OPREC OPREP OPS OPSC OPVIP ORA ORC ORCA ORECD ORED OREG OREP ORGANIZED ORP ORTA ORUE OSAC OSCE OSCI OSD OSEC OSHA OSIC OSTA OSTRA OTA OTAR OTHERSASNEEDED OTP OTR OTRA OTRABL OTRAO OTRAZ OTRC OTRD OUALI OVIP OVP OXEC OXEM OZ PA PAARM PAC PACE PAGE PAGR PAHO PAIGH PAK PAL PALESTINIAN PAMQ PAN PANAM PAO PAR PARALYMPIC PARCA PAREL PARK PARLIAMENT PARM PARMS PARN PARP PARR PARTIES PARTM PARTY PAS PASS PATRICK WARREN MAHURIN PATTY PAUL PAUM PB PBGT PBIO PBK PBOV PBPTS PBS PBST PBT PBTS PCI PCON PCOR PCRM PCUL PD PDA PDD PDEM PDIP PDOV PDRG PE PEACE PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEDRO PEL PELOSI PEMEX PENA PENV PEPFAR PEPR PER PEREZ PERL PERM PERSONS PET PETER PETERS PETR PETRAEUS PETROL PF PFIN PFLP PFOR PFOV PG PGGOC PGIC PGIV PGKV PGO PGOC PGOF PGOG PGON PGOR PGOT PGOV PGOVE PGOVQL PGPV PGREL PGREV PGV PH PHALANAGE PHARM PHAS PHEM PHIM PHM PHSA PHU PHUH PHUM PHUMHUPPS PHUN PHUS PHYTRP PI PIA PICES PIF PIN PINB PIND PINER PINF PING PINL PINO PINOCHET PINR PINS PINT PINV PIR PIRF PIRN PJUS PK PKAO PKBL PKFK PKISL PKK PKMN PKNP PKO PKPA PKPAL PKPO PKPRP PKST PL PLAB PLAN PLEC PLN PLO PLUM PM PMAR PMAT PMDL PMIG PMIL PMIN PMR PMUC PN PNAT PNET PNG PNIR PNNL PNR PNRG PNS PNUC PNUK PNUM PO PODC POG POGV POINS POL POLG POLI POLICY POLINT POLITICAL POLITICS POLM POLMIL POLS POLUN POREL PORG POSTS POTUS POUS POV POWELL PP PPA PPAO PPD PPEF PPEL PPKO PPOL PQL PQM PRC PRE PREC PRED PREF PREG PREJ PREK PREL PRELEVU PRELM PRELPLS PRELTBIOBA PREM PREO PREP PRER PRES PRESIDENT PRESL PREV PREZ PRF PRFE PRFL PRGO PRGOV PRIL PRIVATIZATION PRL PRLE PRM PRO PROB PROCESS PROG PROL PROLIFERATION PROP PROPERTY PROTECTION PROTESTS PROV PROVE PRT PRTER PRWL PS PSA PSCE PSEC PSEPC PSHA PSI PSNR PSO PSOC PSOCI PSOE PT PTBS PTE PTEL PTEP PTER PTGOV PTIA PTR PTRD PU PUAS PUBLIC PUNE PUNR PUOS PV PVIP PVOV PVPR PVTS PWBG PWMN PY QA QADRI QEL QI QIZ QM QT QU QUAN QUOC RA RAED RAFAEL RAID RAMON RAMONTEIJELO RAS RATIFICATION RAY GUEVARA MILTON RBI RCA RCMP RE REA REACTION REALTIONS RECIN REF REFORM REFPAN REFUGEE REFUGEES REGION REGIONAL REID REIN REINEMEYER REL RELAM RELATIONS RELFREE RELIGIOUS REMON RENAMO RENE PREVAL REO REPORT REUBEN RF RFE RFIN RFREEDOM RGOV RGY RHUM RI RICE RICHARD RIGHTS RIGHTSPOLMIL RIMC RIVERA RL RLA RM RMA RO ROBERT ROBERT JOSEPH RODHAM RODRIGUEZ ROK ROME ROOD ROSS ROW ROY RP RPEL RPTS RQ RR RRB RREL RS RSO RSOX RSP RSZ RTT RU RUEHZO RV RW RWANDA SA SAAD SAARC SABAH SACU SADC SAFE SAIR SAIS SALOPEK SAMA SAN SANC SANR SAO SARB SARGSIAN SARS SASC SASEC SASIAIN SB SBA SC SCA SCCC SCE SCENESETTER SCHUL SCI SCIENCE SCNV SCOI SCOL SCOM SCPR SCRM SCRS SCRSERD SCUL SCVL SD SE SEC SECDEF SECI SECRET SECRETARY SECSTATE SECTOR SECURITY SEMAAN GABY EID SEN SENC SENG SENS SENU SENV SENVQGR SENVSPL SENVSXE SEP SERBIA SERZH SETTLEMENTS SEVN SEXP SF SFNV SG SGNV SGWI SH SHANNON SHI SHUM SI SILVASANDE SIMS SIPDI SIPDIS SIPR SIPRNET SIPRS SIUK SK SKCA SKEP SKI SKSAF SL SLM SLOVAK SM SMAR SMI SMIG SMIL SMIT SMITH SMRT SN SNA SNAP SNAR SNUC SO SOC SOCI SOCIA SOCIETY SOCIO SOCIS SOCISZX SOCR SOCY SOE SOFA SOI SOIC SOLI SOLIC SOM SOMALIA SOPN SORT SOSI SOVIET SOWGC SP SPAS SPC SPCE SPCVIS SPECI SPECIALIST SPILL SPP SPSTATE SR SREF SRIT SRS SRYI SSA SSH ST STAG START STATE STC STEINBERG STEPHEN HADLEY STET STP STR STUDENT SU SUCCESSION SUFFRAGE SULLIVAN SUMMIT SUR SUSAN SV SW SWHO SWMN SX SXG SY SYAI SYMBOL SYR SYRIA SYSI SYTH SZ TA TAGS TALAL TAUSCHER TAX TB TBI TBID TBIO TBIOZK TBKIO TBO TC TCOR TCSENV TD TDA TE TECH TECHNOLOGY TER TERAA TERFIN TERR TERROR TERRORISM TF TFIN TG TGRY TH THANH THE THERESE THIRDTERM THKSJA THOMAS THOMAS THOMMA THPY TI TIA TIBO TIFA TINT TIO TIP TITI TIUZ TJ TK TL TM TN TNDG TNGD TO TOPEC TORRIJOS TOURISM TP TPHY TPKO TPP TPSA TPSL TR TRAD TRADE TRAFFICKING TRBIO TRBY TRD TREAS TREASURY TREATY TREL TRG TRGV TRGY TRIO TRSY TRT TRV TRY TRYG TRYS TS TSA TSLP TSPA TSPL TSRL TSRY TSY TT TTFN TU TURKEY TV TVBIO TW TWRO TX TY TZ TZBY UA UAE UAID UAM UB UDEM UE UEU UG UGA UK UKR UKRAINE UM UMIK UN UNA UNAF UNAIDS UNAMA UNAMSIL UNAORC UNAUS UNBRO UNC UNCC UNCDF UNCDN UNCHC UNCHR UNCHS UNCITRAL UNCND UNCOPUOS UNCRED UNCRIME UNCSD UNCSW UNCTAD UNDC UNDEF UNDOF UNDP UNECE UNEF UNEP UNESCO UNFA UNFC UNFCYP UNFF UNFICYP UNFIYCP UNFPA UNGA UNGAPL UNGO UNHCR UNHRC UNICEF UNIDCP UNIDO UNIDROIT UNIFEM UNIFIL UNION UNKIK UNM UNMEE UNMIC UNMIK UNMIKI UNMIKV UNMIL UNMIN UNMOVIC UNO UNODC UNOMIG UNOPS UNP UNPAR UNPUOS UNRCCA UNRCR UNREST UNRWA UNSC UNSCAPU UNSCD UNSCE UNSCER UNSCR UNSCS UNSD UNSE UNTAC UNTERR UNTZ UNUS UNVIE UNYI UP UPU UPUO UR US USAID USAU USCC USCG USDA USDELFESTTWO USEU USG USGS USMS USNC USOAS USOP USPS USPTO USSC USTA USTDA USTR USTRD USTRIT USTRPS USTRUWR USUN UUNR UV UX UY UZ VA VANESSA VANG VAT VC VE VELS VEN VENZ VETTING VI VINICIO VIP VIS VISAS VISIT VM VN VO VOA VT VTEG VTFR VTIS VTPREL VTTBIO VTWCAR VXY VY VZ WA WAEMU WAKI WAR WARD WB WBEG WBG WCAR WCI WCL WCO WE WEBG WEBZ WEET WEF WEOG WET WEU WFA WFP WFPAORC WFPO WGC WGG WHA WHITMER WHO WHTI WI WILCOX WILLIAM WIPO WIR WITH WJRO WM WMD WMDT WMN WMO WOMEN WPO WRTO WS WSIS WTO WTRD WTRO WTRQ WW WWARD WWBG WWT WZ XA XAAF XB XC XD XE XF XFNEA XG XH XI XJ XK XL XLUM XM XO XP XQ XR XS XT XTAG XU XV XW XX XXX XY XZ YE YEH YI YL YM YMCS YS YU YURIY ZA ZANU ZB ZC ZCTU ZEALAND ZF ZFR ZH ZI ZIM ZJ ZK ZKGM ZL ZM ZN ZO ZOELLICK ZP ZR ZS ZT ZU ZW ZXA
AA AADP AALC ABDALLAH FETHI ABDULHADI ABDULRAHMEN ABER ABLD ABLDG ABLG ABMC ABT ABUD AC ACABQ ACAO ACBAQ ACCELERATED ACCOUNT ACDA ACEC ACKM ACOA ACOTA ACS ACTION ADANA ADB ADCO ADCP ADEL ADEP ADIP ADM ADMIRAL ADPM ADRC AE AEC AECL AEGR AEIR AEM AEMED AEMR AER AESC AF AFAF AL HOURANI AFARI AFDB AFDIN AFFAIRS AFGHAN AFGHANISTAN AFIN AFL AFLU AFOR AFR AFSA AFSI AFSN AFU AFZAL AG AGAO AGENDA AGENGA AGIT AGMT AGOA AGR AGRI AGRIC AGRICULTURE AGS AGUILAR AGUIRRE AHMED AI AIAG AID AIDAC AIDS AIEA AIHRC AIN AINF AINFCY AINR AINT AISG AIT AJ AK AL ALAB ALAMI ALANAZI ALBE ALEXANDER ALI ALIREZA ALJAZEERA ALL ALNEA ALOUNI ALOW ALOWAR ALVAREZ AM AMAT AMB AMBASSADOR AMCHAM AMCHAMS AMCT AME AMED AMEDI AMEMR AMER AMERICAS AMEX AMG AMGE AMGMT AMGT AMIA AMLB AMPR AMT AMTC AMTG AN ANARCHISTS ANC AND ANDREW LEE WATKINS ANET ANTITERRORISM ANTOINE GHONDA ANTONIO ANTXON AO AOCR AODE AOIC AOMS AOPR AORC AORD AOREC AORG AORL AOWC AP APCS APDC APEC APECO APER APR APRC APRM AQ AR ARAB ARABBL ARABL ARABLEAGUE ARAS ARC ARCH ARENA AREP ARF ARG ARM ARMITAGE ARMS ARNOLD FREDERICK MORRIS AROC ARR ARRMZY ARSO AS ASA ASAC ASC ASCC ASCE ASCEC ASCH ASE ASEAN ASEC ASECARP ASECE ASECM ASECSI ASECVE ASED ASEDC ASEG ASEK ASES ASEX ASFC ASIC ASIG ASIR ASJA ASO ASOC ASPA ASR ASSEMBLY ASSK ASSSEMBLY ASUP AT ATFN ATPDEA ATRA ATRD ATRN AU AU-1 AUC AUNR AUSGR AUSTRALIAGROUP AV AVERY AVIAN AVIANFLU AVIATION AW AX AY AZ AZE B. BA BAGHDAD BAIO BAKOYANNIS BALKANS BAPOL BARACK BASHAR BATA BAYS BB BBG BBSR BC BCW BCXP BD BE BEAN BELLVIEW BEN BERARDUCCI BESP BEXB BEXP BEXPC BEXPPLM BEXT BF BFIF BFIN BFIO BG BGD BGMT BH BHUM BI BIC BIDOON BIH BILAT BIMSTEC BINR BIO BIOS BIOTECH BIOTECHNOLOGY BIT BITO BK BL BLR BLUE BLUNT BM BMENA BMGT BMOT BN BNUC BO BOIKO BOL BOND BOQ BORDER BOSNIA BOU BOUCHAIB KAKA BOUTERSE BP BPIS BPTS BR BRIAN BRITNEY BRITNY BRPA BRUSSELS BS BSSR BT BTA BTC BTIO BTIU BTRA BTT BU BUD BULGARIA BURMA BURNS BUSH BUY AMERICA BV BW BWC BX BXEP BY BZ CA CAC CACM CACS CAFTA CAIO CAJC CAMBODIA CAN CAPC CARC CARE CARIB CARICOM CARSON CAS CASA CASC CASCC CASCR CASE CASTILLO CAVO CB CBC CBD CBE CBG CBIS CBM CBSA CBTH CBW CCSR CCY CD CDB CDC CDCC CDCE CDG CDI CE CEA CEC CEDAW CEN CENSUS CENTCOM CENTRIC CEUDA CF CFE CFED CFG CFIS CFSP CG CGEN CGOPRC CH CHAD CHALLENGE CHAO CHAVEZ CHELIDZE CHENEY CHERTOFF CHG CHIEF CHN CHR CHR-1 CHRISTIAN CHRISTOF CHRISTOPHER CI CIA CIAT CIC CICTE CIDA CIO CIP CIS CITEL CITES CITIBANK CITT CIVAIR CIVS CJ CJAN CJUS CK CKGR CKOR CL CLEARANCE CLINTON CLMT CLO CLOK CM CMAE CMFT CMGT CMP CMT CN CNAR CNARC CNC CNO CO CODEL COE COL COLIN COLLECTIVE COLOMBO COM COMESA COMMERCE CON CONAWAY CONDOLEEZZA CONDOLEEZZA RICE CONEAZ CONG CONGO CONGRINT CONS CONSULAR CONTROL CONTROLS CORRUPTION COSI COUNTER COUNTER TERRORISM COUNTERTERRORISM COUNTRY COUNTRYCLEARANCE CP CPA CPAS CPC CPCTC CPPT CPUOS CQ CR CRIM CRIME CRIMES CRISTINA CRM CROATIA CROS CRS CRUZ CS CSCE CSEP CSIS CSW CT CTBT CTER CTERR CTM CTR CTRYCLR CU CUCO CUIS CUL CUSTODIO CV CVIA CVIC CVIS CVISU CVPR CVR CW CWC CWCM CWG CX CY CYNTHIA CYP CYPRUSARMS CZ DA DAC DAFR DAN DANFUNG DANIEL DAO DARFR DARFUR DAVID DAVID LEE HOWES DAVID WELCH DAVID WILLIAM RAY DB DC DCDG DCG DCHA DCI DCM DCOM DCRM DE DEA DEAX DEFENSE DEFENSEREFORM DELTAVIOLENCE DEM DEMARCHE DEMARCHES DEMETRIOS DEMOCRATIC DENNIS DEOC DEPORTATION DEPT DEPT FOR DS COMMAND CENTER DESI DHA DHLAKAMA DHLS DHRF DHS DHSX DIEZ DIPLOMACY DISENGAGEMENT DJ DK DKEM DMIN DMINE DO DOC DOD DOE DOJ DOMC DOMESTIC DOMESTICPOLITICS DONALD RUMSFELD DOT DPAO DPKO DPM DPOL DPRK DR DRC DRIP DRL DS DSR DSS DTFN DTRA DTRO DU DUNCAN CAMERON DVC DY EAC EAD EADI EADM EAG EAGER EAGR EAI EAIC EAID EAIDB EAIDCIN EAIDEGZ EAIDMG EAIDNI EAIF EAIG EAIO EAIR EAIS EAIT EAOD EAP EAPC EAR EARI EASS EATO EAUD EAVI EB EBEXP EBRD EBUD EC ECA ECCP ECCT ECE ECHEVARRIA ECIN ECIP ECLAC ECN ECOIN ECOM ECON ECONCS ECONEGE ECONOMIC ECONOMICS ECONOMY ECONOMY AND FINANCE ECOR ECOS ECOSOC ECOWAS ECPC ECPN ECPO ECPS ECPSN ECRM ECTRD ECUN ED EDA EDEV EDRC EDU EDUARDO EDUC EE EEB EEC EENG EENV EEOC EET EETC EFI EFIC EFIM EFIN EFIS EFLU EFN EFND EFNI EFQ EFTA EG EGAD EGAR EGEN EGHG EGOV EGOVSY EH EI EIAD EIAID EIAR EIB EICN EID EIDE EIDN EIFN EIN EIND EINDIR EINF EING EINN EINO EINR EINT EINV EINZ EIPR EIQ EISL EISNLN EITC EITI EIVN EK EL ELA ELAB ELAD ELAINE ELAM ELAN ELAP ELB ELBA ELBR ELEC ELECTIONS ELF ELIN ELN ELND ELNT ELTD ELTM ELTN ELTRN EMAIL EMED EMI EMIN EMN EMS EMW EN END ENDURING ENEG ENER ENERG ENERGY ENFR ENG ENGR ENGRD ENGRG ENGY ENIV ENLT ENNP ENR ENRC ENRG ENRL ENTG ENV ENVI ENVIRONMENT ENVR ENVT EON EOXC EP EPA EPAT EPCS EPE EPEC EPECO EPET EPIN EPIT EPPD EPRT EPSC EPTE EPTED EPWR EQ EQRD ER ERA ERD EREL ERGR ERICKSON ERIN ERTD ES ESA ESCAP ESCI ESDP ESENV ESF ESLCO ESOC ESOCI ESPS ESS ESSO ESTH ESTN ESTRADA ET ETA ETAD ETC ETCC ETD ETDR ETEL ETER ETEX ETFN ETIC ETIO ETLN ETMIN ETR ETRA ETRAD ETRB ETRC ETRD ETRDECD ETRG ETRK ETRN ETRO ETRP ETT ETTC ETTD ETTF ETTN ETTR ETTRD ETTW ETZ EU EUC EUCOM EUE EUEAID EUFOR EUM EUMEM EUN EUR EUREM EURM EURN EV EVENTS EVN EWRG EWT EWTR EWWT EX EXBS EXEC EXIM EXO EXPORT EXTERNAL EZ FA FAA FAC FAGR FAO FARC FARM FAS FATAH FBI FCC FCS FCSC FCSCEG FCUL FDA FDIC FEDULOV FEMA FERNANDO FGM FI FIGUEROA FIN FINANCE FINE FINR FINREF FINV FIR FISO FJ FK FKFLO FKLU FLU FM FMC FMGT FMLN FMS FO FOI FOOKS FOR FORCE FORCES FOREIGN FORWHA FP FPC FR FRA FRANCIS FRANCISCO RODENAS RUIZ FRANCISCO VILLA URBALEJO FRAZER FRB FREDOM FREEDOM FRELIMO FRIED FRN FRU FSC FSI FT FTA FTAA FWS GA GAERC GAMES GANGS GAO GARCIA GASPAR GATES GATT GAZA GAZPROM GB GBSLE GC GCC GCCC GE GEF GEORGE GERARD GESKE GF GG GH GI GIPNC GIWI GJ GKGIC GL GLOBAL GM GN GO GOG GOI GOMEZ GON GOVPOI GPGOV GPI GPOI GPOV GR GREGG RENE WALTER GRQ GS GT GTIP GTMO GTREFTEL GU GUAM GUANTANAMO GUIDANCE GUILLERMO GUTIERREZ GV GWI GY GZ GZIS HA HAMID KARZAI HARRIET HARRY HAWZ HCOPIL HDP HE HEAVEN HEBRON HECTOR HELGERSON HERCEGOVINA HG HHS HI HIGHLIGHTS HIJAZI HILARY HILLARY HILLEN HIPC HIV HIZ HK HKSX HL HLSX HN HNCHR HO HOA HOSTAGES HPKO HR HRC HRCS HRICTY HRIGHTS HRKSTC HSI HSTC HSWG HT HTCG HTSC HU HUD HUM HUMAN HUMANITARIAN HUMANR HUMANRIGHTS HUMOR HUMRIT HUNRC HURI HURRICANE HYDE HYLAND HYMPSK HZ IA IACHR IACI IACO IACW IADB IAEA IAES IAHRC IAIE IAII IASA IATTC IAZ IBB IBD IBET IBPCA IBRB IBRD IC ICAC ICAO ICC ICCAT ICCROM ICES ICJ ICRC ICRS ICSCA ICTR ICTY ID IDA IDB IDLI IDLO IDP IDR IE IEA IEAB IEF IF IFAD IFC IFIN IFM IFO IFR IFRC IG IGAD IGF IHO IICA IINS IIP IK IL ILAB ILC ILEA ILO IMC IMET IMF IMMIGRATION IMO IMSO IMTS IN INAUGURATION INCB IND INDO INF INFLUENZA INL INMARSAT INNP INPFC INR INRA INRB INRD INRO INRPAZ INS INSC INT INTEL INTELLECTUAL INTELSAT INTERNAL INTERPOL INV INVI IO IOC IOM IP IPET IPGRI IPK IPPC IPR IPROP IQ IQNV IR IRAN IRAQ IRAQI IRAQI FREEDOM IRC IRCE IRDB IRE IRL IRLE IRM IRMO IRNB IRPE IRQEGION IRS IS ISA ISAAC ISAF ISCA ISCON ISLAMISTS ISLE ISN ISNV ISO ISPA ISPL ISRAEL ISRAEL RELATIONS ISRAELI ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS ISSUES ISTC IT ITA ITALIAN ITALY ITECIP ITEIND ITELTN ITER ITF ITIA ITRA ITRD ITU IUCN IV IVIANNA IWC IWI IX IZ IZAORC JA JABER JAM JAMES JAPAN JAT JAWAD JCIC JE JEAN-PIERRE BEMBA JEFFERY JEFFREY JENDAYI JHR JI JIMENEZ JIMENEZ CHILDREN JK JKUS JM JN JO JOHANNS JOHN JOHN BOEHNER JOHNNIE JONATHAN CHAMAN JOSE ANGEL ALZUGUREN PERURENA JOSE NEY MILA ESPINOSA JOSE RAMOS HORTA JOSEPH BIDEN JP JS JSRP JUAN JULIAN RENE KIRCHOFF JUS JY KA KACP KACT KACW KADM KAID KALM KALR KANSOU KAPO KARIM WADE KATRINA KAUST KAWC KAWK KAWL KAWS KAWX KAYLA KBCT KBDS KBEM KBIO KBNC KBTC KBTR KBTS KBWG KCCP KCEM KCERS KCFC KCFE KCGC KCHG KCIP KCIS KCM KCMA KCMR KCOG KCOM KCOR KCPS KCRCM KCRI KCRIM KCRM KCRN KCRO KCROM KCROR KCRP KCRS KCRT KCSA KCSI KCSY KCUL KCUM KCVM KCWI KDCM KDDEM KDDG KDE KDEM KDEN KDET KDEV KDGOV KDGR KDHS KDM KDMR KDP KDRG KDRL KDTB KDUM KE KEAI KEANE KEBG KECF KEDEM KEDM KEDU KEIM KEM KEMPI KEMR KEMS KEN KENV KERF KERG KESO KESP KESS KEVIN KFAM KFCE KFE KFEM KFGM KFIN KFIU KFLD KFLO KFLU KFOR KFPC KFRD KFRP KFSC KFTFN KFTN KG KGCC KGCN KGHA KGHG KGIC KGICKS KGIT KGIV KGKG KGLB KGOR KGOV KH KHDP KHGH KHIB KHIV KHJUS KHLS KHMN KHOURY KHPD KHSA KHSL KHUM KI KIBL KICA KICC KICCPUR KICR KICT KID KIDE KIF KIFR KIIC KIIP KIL KILS KIMMITT KIMT KIND KINF KINL KINP KINR KINT KIPR KIPT KIRC KIRD KIRF KIRL KIRP KIS KISC KISK KISL KISM KISR KITA KIVP KIVR KJAN KJRE KJU KJUS KJUST KJWC KK KKIV KKNP KKOR KKPO KLAB KLAP KLBO KLEG KLFLO KLFU KLHS KLIG KLIP KLPM KLSO KLTN KM KMAC KMAR KMCA KMCC KMCR KMDR KMEPI KMFO KMGT KMIG KMNP KMOC KMPF KMPI KMPIO KMPL KMPP KMPT KMRD KMRS KMSG KMVP KMWN KN KNAO KNAP KNAR KNDP KNEI KNEP KNET KNMP KNN KNNA KNNB KNNC KNNF KNNO KNNP KNNR KNOP KNP KNPP KNPPIS KNPR KNPT KNRG KNRV KNSD KNUC KNUP KO KOC KOCI KOCM KOEM KOGL KOLY KOM KOMC KOMCCO KOMCSG KOMH KOMO KOMS KOR KOSOVO KOUYATE KPA KPAD KPAI KPAK KPAL KPALAOIS KPAM KPAO KPAS KPBT KPDD KPEM KPEO KPER KPET KPIN KPIR KPKO KPKP KPLS KPMI KPMO KPO KPOA KPOKO KPOL KPOP KPOV KPOW KPPAO KPPD KPRD KPRM KPRO KPROG KPRP KPRV KPSC KPTD KPTS KPWG KPWR KQ KQM KQRDQ KR KRAD KRAL KRCIM KRCM KRCS KRD KRDP KREC KREF KREISLER KREL KRF KRFD KRFR KRG KRGY KRIC KRIF KRIM KRKO KRM KRMS KRV KRVC KS KSA KSAC KSAF KSCA KSCI KSCS KSCT KSEAO KSEC KSEI KSEO KSEP KSI KSIA KSKN KSLG KSMT KSOC KSOCI KSPA KSPR KSRE KSTC KSTCC KSTCPL KSTH KSTS KSTT KSUM KSUP KT KTAO KTBD KTBT KTCRE KTDB KTDD KTDM KTER KTEX KTFIN KTFM KTFN KTFR KTFS KTIA KTIP KTLA KTNBT KTNF KTPN KTRD KTRF KTSC KTSD KTTB KTTC KTTP KU KUAE KUIR KUM KUNA KUNC KUNH KUNP KUNR KUS KUWAIT KV KVBL KVIP KVIR KVIS KVPR KVRC KVRP KW KWAC KWAK KWAWC KWBC KWBG KWBW KWCI KWCR KWGB KWHG KWIC KWIM KWIR KWKN KWM KWMJN KWMM KWMN KWN KWNM KWNN KWOMN KWPA KWPB KWPG KWPR KWRC KWRF KWRG KWUN KWWT KWWW KX KY KZ LA LAB LABOR LANSANA LANTERN LARREA LARS LAS LAURA LAVIN LAW LB LBAR LBY LE LEAGUE LEB LEBIK LEGAT LEGATT LEIS LEON LEVINE LEW LG LGAT LH LI LIB LICC LIMA LINE LK LMS LN LO LOG LOPEZ LORAN LOTT LOVE LR LS LT LTG LTTE LU LV LVPR LY LZ MA MAAR MACEDONIA MACP MANUEL MANUEL SERGIO GONZALEZ MAP MAPP MAPS MAR MARAD MARANTIS MARIA MARIE MARINO MARITIME MARK MARQUEZ MARR MARS MARTIN MARV MAS MASC MASS MATT MAYA MB MBM MC MCA MCAP MCAPARR MCAPN MCAPP MCAPS MCAT MCC MCCAIN MCCONNELL MCCP MCGRAW MCRM MCTRE MD MDA MDC MDO ME MEA MED MEDIA MEETINGS MENDIETA MEP MEPI MEPN MEPP MERCOSUR MESUR MEX MF MFA MFO MG MGL MGMT MGOV MGT MGTA MH MHUC MI MIAH MIC MICHAEL MICHEL MIGUEL FELIPE CANAHUATI YACAMAN MIGUEL VARGAS MALDONADO MIK MIKE MIL MILI MILITANTS MILITARY MILLENNIUM MINURSO MINUSTAH MITCHELL MJ MK ML MLS MMAR MMED MN MNLF MNNC MNNUC MNU MNUC MNUCH MNUCWA MNUM MNUN MNUR MNUS MNVC MO MOHAMAD MOHAMED HESHAM ELDIN YOUSSEF MOHAMMAD MOLINA MONTENEGRO MONUC MONY MOOPS MOP MOPP MOPPS MOPS MORALES MORG MOROCCO MORS MOS MOTO MOTT MP MPOL MPOS MPP MPS MQADHAFI MR MRCRE MRRR MRS MRSEC MS MSG MSIG MT MTAA MTAG MTCAE MTCR MTCRA MTCRE MTRCE MTRE MTRRE MTS MU MUC MUCN MUKASEY MULLEN MUNC MURAD MURRAY MV MW MX MY MZ NA NAC NACB NADIA NAFTA NAM NAMSA NANCY NAR NARC NARCOTICS NARR NAS NASA NAT NATEU NATGAS NATIONAL NATO NATOAFGHAN NATOBALKANS NATOIRAQ NATOOPS NATOPOLICY NATSIOS NAVO NB NBTS NBU NC NCCC NCD NCT NCTC NDI NDP NE NEA NEC NEGROPONTE NEI NELSON NEPAD NERG NET NEW NFATC NFMS NFSO NG NGO NGUYEN NH NI NICHOLAS NICOLE NIH NIPP NK NKWG NL NLD NLIAEA NLO NMFS NMNUC NMUC NNPT NO NOAA NOI NOK NON NONE NORAD NOTAG NOVO NP NPA NPG NPT NR NRC NRG NRR NRRC NS NSC NSF NSFO NSG NSSP NT NTDB NTSB NTTC NU NUC NUIN NV NW NZ NZUS OA OAO OARC OAS OASC OASCC OASS OAU OBAMA OBS OBSP OCBD OCEA OCED OCHA OCII OCRA OCS OCSE ODAG ODC ODIP ODPC OECD OECS OECV OES OESC OEXC OEXP OF OFDA OFDC OFDP OFDPQIS OFFICIALS OFPD OFSO OGAC OGIV OHCHR OHI OHIP OI OIC OICCO OIE OIF OIG OIIP OIL OIM OLY OLYAIR OLYMPICS OM OMAR OMB OMIG OMS ON ONA OPAD OPBAT OPC OPCD OPCR OPCW OPDAT OPDC OPDP OPEC OPET OPIC OPID OPOC OPPC OPRC OPREC OPREP OPS OPSC OPVIP ORA ORC ORCA ORECD ORED OREG OREP ORGANIZED ORP ORTA ORUE OSAC OSCE OSCI OSD OSEC OSHA OSIC OSTA OSTRA OTA OTAR OTHERSASNEEDED OTP OTR OTRA OTRABL OTRAO OTRAZ OTRC OTRD OUALI OVIP OVP OXEC OXEM OZ PA PAARM PAC PACE PAGE PAGR PAHO PAIGH PAK PAL PALESTINIAN PAMQ PAN PANAM PAO PAR PARALYMPIC PARCA PAREL PARK PARLIAMENT PARM PARMS PARN PARP PARR PARTIES PARTM PARTY PAS PASS PATRICK WARREN MAHURIN PATTY PAUL PAUM PB PBGT PBIO PBK PBOV PBPTS PBS PBST PBT PBTS PCI PCON PCOR PCRM PCUL PD PDA PDD PDEM PDIP PDOV PDRG PE PEACE PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEDRO PEL PELOSI PEMEX PENA PENV PEPFAR PEPR PER PEREZ PERL PERM PERSONS PET PETER PETERS PETR PETRAEUS PETROL PF PFIN PFLP PFOR PFOV PG PGGOC PGIC PGIV PGKV PGO PGOC PGOF PGOG PGON PGOR PGOT PGOV PGOVE PGOVQL PGPV PGREL PGREV PGV PH PHALANAGE PHARM PHAS PHEM PHIM PHM PHSA PHU PHUH PHUM PHUMHUPPS PHUN PHUS PHYTRP PI PIA PICES PIF PIN PINB PIND PINER PINF PING PINL PINO PINOCHET PINR PINS PINT PINV PIR PIRF PIRN PJUS PK PKAO PKBL PKFK PKISL PKK PKMN PKNP PKO PKPA PKPAL PKPO PKPRP PKST PL PLAB PLAN PLEC PLN PLO PLUM PM PMAR PMAT PMDL PMIG PMIL PMIN PMR PMUC PN PNAT PNET PNG PNIR PNNL PNR PNRG PNS PNUC PNUK PNUM PO PODC POG POGV POINS POL POLG POLI POLICY POLINT POLITICAL POLITICS POLM POLMIL POLS POLUN POREL PORG POSTS POTUS POUS POV POWELL PP PPA PPAO PPD PPEF PPEL PPKO PPOL PQL PQM PRC PRE PREC PRED PREF PREG PREJ PREK PREL PRELEVU PRELM PRELPLS PRELTBIOBA PREM PREO PREP PRER PRES PRESIDENT PRESL PREV PREZ PRF PRFE PRFL PRGO PRGOV PRIL PRIVATIZATION PRL PRLE PRM PRO PROB PROCESS PROG PROL PROLIFERATION PROP PROPERTY PROTECTION PROTESTS PROV PROVE PRT PRTER PRWL PS PSA PSCE PSEC PSEPC PSHA PSI PSNR PSO PSOC PSOCI PSOE PT PTBS PTE PTEL PTEP PTER PTGOV PTIA PTR PTRD PU PUAS PUBLIC PUNE PUNR PUOS PV PVIP PVOV PVPR PVTS PWBG PWMN PY QA QADRI QEL QI QIZ QM QT QU QUAN QUOC RA RAED RAFAEL RAID RAMON RAMONTEIJELO RAS RATIFICATION RAY GUEVARA MILTON RBI RCA RCMP RE REA REACTION REALTIONS RECIN REF REFORM REFPAN REFUGEE REFUGEES REGION REGIONAL REID REIN REINEMEYER REL RELAM RELATIONS RELFREE RELIGIOUS REMON RENAMO RENE PREVAL REO REPORT REUBEN RF RFE RFIN RFREEDOM RGOV RGY RHUM RI RICE RICHARD RIGHTS RIGHTSPOLMIL RIMC RIVERA RL RLA RM RMA RO ROBERT ROBERT JOSEPH RODHAM RODRIGUEZ ROK ROME ROOD ROSS ROW ROY RP RPEL RPTS RQ RR RRB RREL RS RSO RSOX RSP RSZ RTT RU RUEHZO RV RW RWANDA SA SAAD SAARC SABAH SACU SADC SAFE SAIR SAIS SALOPEK SAMA SAN SANC SANR SAO SARB SARGSIAN SARS SASC SASEC SASIAIN SB SBA SC SCA SCCC SCE SCENESETTER SCHUL SCI SCIENCE SCNV SCOI SCOL SCOM SCPR SCRM SCRS SCRSERD SCUL SCVL SD SE SEC SECDEF SECI SECRET SECRETARY SECSTATE 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Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
01CARACAS182 | CHAVEZ AND COLOMBIA: IT WON'T GET BETTER [...] (C) THE RIVALRY BETWEEN VENEZUELA AND COLOMBIA HAS BEEN LONGSTANDING, WITH ROOTS REACHING BACK AS FAR AS THE BREAK- UP OF GRAN COLOMBIA INTO SEPARATE STATES. OVER THE YEARS, THE RIVALRY BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES - AND ESPECIALLY BETWEEN THEIR RESPECTIVE MILITARIES - MANIFESTED ITSELF AS A PER [...] | 2001-01-22 20:56:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL VE CO |
03CARACAS2865 | WILL THE REAL FBL PLEASE STAND UP? [...] (C) An August 8 Bolivarian Liberation Forces (FBL) press release asserted that the group defended Venezuela's sovereignty by attacking the Colombian National Liberation Army (ELN) July 31. Tachira state media, ranchers, and law enforcement officials told poloff August 5 and 6 that the expandin [...] | 2003-08-22 18:43:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR PTER VE |
04CARACAS100 | GOV SEIZES USD 2.5 MILLION BELONGING TO LARGEST [...] (C) VENEZUELAN CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES SEIZED A SHIPMENT OF USD 2.5 MILLION IN CASH OWNED BY ITALCAMBIO, THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST CURRENCY EXCHANGE HOUSE. THE MONEY WAS ABOARD A FLIGHT FROM MIAMI. ITALCAMBIO PRESIDENT CARLOS DORADO CLAIMED THE SHIPMENT WAS ROUTINE AND THE SEIZURE IS IN RETALIATION [...] | 2004-01-09 19:34:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1009 | OPPOSITION GOVERNORS, MAYOR: A SNAPSHOT OF [...] (C) The violence that hit Venezuela February 27 to March 4 unmasked the radical bent of President Hugo Chavez's revolution, Caracas Mayor Alfredo Pena and Governors David De Lima (Anzoategui) and Luis Lippa (Apure) told the Ambassador March 16. They noted the influence of Cubans in the Vene [...] | 2004-03-24 22:02:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS101 | VENEZUELAN OIL PRODUCTION: A LOOK AHEAD FOR 2004 [...] (C) Despite a number of optimistic predictions that Venezuelan oil production will increase by the end of 2004 (which seem largely to be attributable to the success of Venezuelan lobbying efforts in the U.S.),our sources in Venezuela are not as sanguine. While some believe that Venezuela's 2 [...] | 2004-01-09 19:34:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET VE |
04CARACAS1011 | GOV DAMAGE CONTROL OVERWHELMED BY BARRAGE OF [...] (C) The GOV attempted to supersede negative international media and NGO reports about alleged human rights violations by speaking directly to the international community in Caracas March 14 and 16. Among the efforts, President Hugo Chavez called together Ambassadors to Venezuela March 5 and t [...] | 2004-03-25 12:22:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS103 | CHAVEZ TURNS UP THE HEAT ON CENTRAL BANK FOR [...] (C) President Chavez has renewed his struggle with the Central Bank over USD 1 billion in international reserves, which he has demanded be handed over to the GOV for agricultural spending. The Bank has to this point resisted, citing controlling legal restrictions. The National Assembly joine [...] | 2004-01-12 12:09:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1031 | A PEEK BENEATH LARA STATE'S REVOLUTIONARY FACADE [...] (C) Information Officer traveled March 10-14 to Barquisimeto, Lara state to seek private media views on freedom of expression and on the state's economic and political landscape. Most private media owners and managers maintain a low profile and present both pro- Venezuelan government (GOV) [...] | 2004-03-26 14:06:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON KDEM KPAO PGOV PHUM PREL VE |
04CARACAS1054 | VENEZUELA PREPARES FOR REGIONAL ELECTIONS [...] (C) Opposition and pro-government candidates are registered for the August 1 regional elections as the registration period closed March 25. At stake are 23 governors, the high mayor of the metropolitan Caracas district, 336 mayors, and hundreds of municipal council positions -- in sum, the la [...] | 2004-03-26 20:28:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1080 | CHAVISTAS LAND PUNCH IN SUPREME COURT BOXING MATCH [...] (C) THE SUPREME COURT (TSJ) CONSTITUTIONAL CHAMBER MARCH 23 NULLIFIED THE TSJ ELECTORAL CHAMBER'S MARCH 15 DECISION ORDERING THE NATIONAL ELECTORAL COUNCIL (CNE) TO INCLUDE OVER 870,000 DISPUTED SIGNATURES, GIVING THE OPPOSITION ENOUGH FOR A REFERENDUM. D'LSA SOLORZANO, DEMOCRATIC COORDINATIN [...] | 2004-03-29 20:34:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1083 | THE OPPOSITION PRESENTS CANDIDATES FOR REGIONAL [...] (C) Opposition political parties have registered their candidates for the August 1 gubernatorial and mayoral elections (ref b) despite criticism from opposition NGOs that see the elections as a distraction from the recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez. Opposition parties largely po [...] | 2004-03-29 22:10:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1087 | FOREIGN MINISTER PEREZ: RELATIONS COULD NOT GET [...] (C) In a March 23 meeting with the Ambassador, Foreign Minister Jesus Perez said the relationship between the U.S. and Venezuela could not get worse. Perez said there was a lot of fear in the GoV that the USG was planning to overthrow the Chavez regime. The Ambassador told him that there is n [...] | 2004-03-30 17:32:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1090 | PRIVATE TV OWNERS DECRY NEW GOV TAX [...] (U) National tax collection agency SENIAT has ordered Venezuela's four leading television channels to pay SENIAT almost USD 3.3 million in taxes for allegedly donated spots during the December 2002-February 2003 opposition-sponsored national strike. Globovision, RCTV, Venevision, and Televen [...] | 2004-03-30 19:40:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM KPAO PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS1107 | PROMINENT HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP CRITICIZES GOV [...] (U) The human rights NGO "Committee of the Relatives of Victims of February 1989" (COFAVIC) criticized the GOV March 18 for not appropriately addressing alleged human rights abuses during the February 27-March 4 period. The COFAVIC report describes alleged abuses, including deaths, use of exc [...] | 2004-03-31 19:53:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PINS VE |
04CARACAS1114 | CELLIST TELLS OF TORTURE AND FLUBBED INVESTIGATION [...] (C) National Guard troops detained Carlos Izcaray, first cellist with the National Symphony Orchestra, March 1 while he was observing demonstrations in Caracas. Guardsmen beat him, subjected him to electrical shocks, forced him to inhale tear gas in an enclosed space, and burned tear gas powde [...] | 2004-03-31 20:38:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PINS VE |
04CARACAS1115 | FEAR OF REPRISALS AND UNDERREPORTED HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (C) The Coordinadora Democratica (CD) claims its figures on human rights violations are the most accurate in Venezuela, though they are higher than those reported by the media and NGOs. DCC Judicial Advisor D'lsa Solorzano told poloff March 23 that even DCC numbers, do not portray the true ma [...] | 2004-03-31 23:01:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS1116 | WHEN CHAVISTAS ATTACK: OPPOSITION ACCUSATIONS/GOV [...] (C) The Coordinadora Democratica (CD) documented 210 assaults on opposition supporters by civilians or plainclothes security forces between February 27 and March 5. National Assembly Deputy Pedro Diaz Blum (Proyecto Venezuela) told poloff March 17 that National Guard troops allowed armed Chav [...] | 2004-03-31 23:12:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS1133 | ELECTORAL CHAMBER REAFFIRMS ITS JURISDICTION [...] (C) The Electoral Chamber of Venezuela's Supreme Court (TSJ) March 29 confirmed its jurisdiction in matters concerning the National Electoral Council (CNE) and urged the TSJ en banc to decide the jurisdictional dispute between the SIPDIS court's Electoral and Constitutional chambers (reftels [...] | 2004-04-01 19:10:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1134 | ROPE A DOPE [...] (C) I HOSTED A MEETING THIS MORNING IN WHICH MARK FEIERSTIEN, PROJECT MANAGER FOR POLLING FIRM GREENBERG QUINLAN ROSNER RESEARCH, BRIEFED THE AMBASSADORS OF BRAZIL, CANADA, CHILE, MEXICO, AND PORTUGAL AND MYSELF ON THE RESULTS OF THE POLL HE COMPLETED ON MARCH 27. (HE PROMISED TO SEND US THE P [...] | 2004-04-01 21:00:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1138 | EVO, THE ICC, AND THE U.N.: VENEZUELA POLITICAL [...] (U) Leftist Bolivian legislator Evo Morales joined President Hugo Chavez in Caracas March 30 to announce plans to stage international demonstrations to commemorate the events of April 2002, when Chavez was temporarily removed from power and returned in triumph. Members of the Venezuelan human [...] | 2004-04-01 22:07:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1139 | CHAVEZ TO ILO: FRY MONKEYS! [...] (C) A preliminary report by the International Labor Organization's (ILO) Committee on Freedom of Association determined that Venezuela's December 2002 - February 2003 work stoppage was tantamount to a general strike. The Committee deplored the mass dismissal of more than 18,000 PDVSA workers [...] | 2004-04-01 22:08:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ELAB PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1154 | TORTURE VICTIM DIES OF INJURIES [...] (U) ARMY PERSONNEL OF THE 11TH INFANTRY BATTALION DETAINED JUAN CARLOS ZAMBRANO, HIS COMMON-LAW WIFE, HIS BROTHER AND ANOTHER COMPANION MARCH 6 IN LAGUNILLAS, ZULIA STATE. DURING MARCH 6-9, THEY ALLEGEDLY BEAT AND TORTURED THE MEN AND RAPED ZAMBRANO'S WIFE. ZAMBRANO DIED OF HIS INJURIES ON MA [...] | 2004-04-02 20:56:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1155 | TORTURED DETAINEES RELEASED FOR LACK OF EVIDENCE [...] (U) SEVEN YOUTHS (DAVID AMUNDARAIN, HEBER GUSTAVO PRADA, JOSE PERALTA, RODRIGUO ALEGRETT, JOSE MOYO ROJAS, ANGEL KENT DAVIOTT, AND JOSE RAMON MERLO) DETAINED DURING POLITICAL DISTURBANCES FEBRUARY 27-MARCH 5 WERE RELEASED FROM LA PLANTA PRISON IN CARACAS MARCH 31, ACCORDING TO NEWS REPORTS. PR [...] | 2004-04-02 20:58:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM VE |
04CARACAS1156 | CHAVISTAS SEE REGIONAL ELECTIONS AS DE FACTO [...] (C) Pro-Chavez political parties registered their candidates in March in anticipation of the August 1 elections for governors and mayors. As with the opposition, the Chavistas see the regional elections as a referendum of sorts on President Hugo Chavez. They also see the elections as an oppo [...] | 2004-04-02 21:04:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1157 | CHAVISTAS SEE REGIONAL ELECTIONS AS DE FACTO [...] (C) Pro-Chavez political parties registered their candidates in March in anticipation of the August 1 elections for governors and mayors. As with the opposition, the Chavistas see the regional elections as a referendum of sorts on President Hugo Chavez. They also see the elections as an oppo [...] | 2004-04-02 21:04:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1159 | CAPRILES, CNE AND CEV: VENEZUELA POLITICAL UPDATE [...] (U) The Criminal Chamber of Venezuela's Supreme Court (TSJ) dismissed on procedural ground the order to detain Baruta Mayor Henrique Capriles April 1, and ordered the case sent to a new court. Supporters of President Hugo Chavez objected to the possibility National Electoral Council (CNE) alt [...] | 2004-04-02 21:08:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS1161 | GOV REPRESSION'S "FAIR AND REASONABLE" LEGAL FACADE [...] (C) The GOV has been using a range of legal actions, administrative procedures, and illicit activities to punish and harass opponents. Tax investigations, broadcasting private phone conversations, and blacklisting signers of a presidential recall petition from GOV services or employment are a [...] | 2004-04-02 21:39:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB PGOV PHUM PREL VE |
04CARACAS1169 | SIGNATURE TALKS ADVANCE AT CNE [...] (C) National Electoral Council (CNE) Director Jorge Rodriguez announced April 5 that talks between the opposition and the GOV are "well advanced" on an agreement over the appeals process for the signatures collected in support of a recall vote on President Hugo Chavez. Rodriguez said the CNE [...] | 2004-04-05 19:42:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS12 | CHAVEZ MAINTAINS POPULARITY, BUT STILL VULNERABLE [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez climbed one point to 45 percent in approval ratings in December, according to two polls, after hitting a popularity trough of 30 percent in May 2003. Of the 59 percent of those likely to vote in a recall, however, only 34 percent say they would keep Chavez, with 65 pe [...] | 2004-01-02 20:49:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1203 | MURDER CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST FOUR NATIONAL [...] (U) JUDGE JORGE MENDEZ ORDERED FOUR NATIONAL GUARDSMEN (CAPT. WILLIAN CAMPOS, SALVADOR FRANCHI, GUSTAVO PUERTA AND PEDRO BELISARO) RELEASED MARCH 31 AND ALL CHARGES AGAINST THEM DROPPED IN THE NOVEMBER 10, 2003 MURDER OF SEVEN INMATES OF VISTA HERMOSA PRISON IN CIUDAD BOLIVAR, BOLIVAR STATE. T [...] | 2004-04-06 19:06:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1241 | PDVSA PRESIDENT RODRIGUEZ COUNSELS PRAGMATISM [...] (C) In an April 2 meeting with the Ambassador, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) President Ali Rodriguez counseled a "dose of pragmatism" for U.S. relations with Venezuela. He defended the recent OPEC decision to reduce production but said Venezuela would be able to supply gasoline to the U.S. t [...] | 2004-04-12 20:24:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET PREL VE |
04CARACAS1247 | REVALIDATING THE SIGNATURES -- VOICES OF DISSENT [...] (C) The Coordinadora Democratica (CD) has pressed forward, negotiating with the National Electoral Council (CNE) a process for verifying petition signatures for a presidential recall referendum (CNE Director Jorge Rodriguez announced April 6 that the sides were close to agreement). There are [...] | 2004-04-12 21:12:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1267 | COURT BATTLE CLOUDS CNE SIGNATURE TALKS [...] (C) Two chambers of the Venezuelan Supreme Court (TSJ) issued conflicting decisions on April 12 regarding the recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez. The Electoral Chamber issued its definitive decision nullifying the National Electoral Council's (CNE) disqualification of 876,000 sig [...] | 2004-04-14 21:00:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1270 | CHAVEZ LOSING SUPPORT AMIDST SHIFT IN VOTER MOOD. [...] (SBU) A poll and a focus group study on Venezuelan politics published at the end of March highlighted President Hugo Chavez' job approval rating falling from 44% to 36%. The poll suggests that the National Electoral Council,s handling of the signature verification process for the Presidential [...] | 2004-04-15 12:17:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1313 | POLITICIZING VENEZUELA'S ECONOMIC BUREAUCRACY [...] (C) Current efforts to ensure loyalty within Venezuelan government institutions by using the list of persons who signed the recall petition against President Chavez, take place against the backdrop of a longer history of politically motivated firings and personnel shuffling aimed at cementing [...] | 2004-04-16 20:52:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1316 | DISAPPEARANCES, AN ONGOING CONTROVERSY [...] (U) The Democratic Coordinating Committee (CD) announced March 9 that eight opposition protesters had disappeared during the February 27-March 5 political disturbances. Subsequently, one of the eight reappeared, and the GOV denied that the remaining seven were missing, citing the lack of compl [...] | 2004-04-20 13:44:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1331 | MEDIA AND GOV MAKE HAY OUT OF GENERAL HILL [...] (C) Leading Venezuelan national dailies, "El Universal" and "El Nacional," printed articles April 3 and 4 that distort parts of General James Hill's March 24 and April 1 statements on Venezuela to the U.S. House and Senate Armed Forces Committees. Both newspapers' articles were based on an [...] | 2004-04-20 19:33:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAO PGOV PINR PM PTER VE |
04CARACAS1346 | CNE ANNOUNCES SIGNATURE APPEALS PROCESS FOR MAY [...] (C) The National Electoral Council (CNE) said on April 21 it will hold the appeals process May 27-31 for signatures collected in support of the presidential recall referendum. The CNE board approved regulations governing the appeals ("reparos") but did not immediately release the text. The CN [...] | 2004-04-21 21:21:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1347 | OAS DEMOCRATIC CHARTER: REACTION TO COLOMBIAN [...] (U) The GOV and the National Assembly reacted harshly to the vote April 13 by the Colombian Senate to request that the OAS consider applying the Democratic Charter to Venezuela. Opponents of President Chavez have generally welcomed the vote as a sign of international support for the opposition [...] | 2004-04-21 21:21:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM VE OAS |
04CARACAS1348 | SUPREME COURT LAW REEMERGES [...] (U) Pro-GOV National Assembly (AN) deputies reestablished the Supreme Court Law as a legislative priority April 15, after the bill laid dormant since 2003. The Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court removed potential legal roadblocks to the bill with a 3 to 2 January 26 ruling asserting [...] | 2004-04-21 21:21:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1350 | CHAVEZ RAISES OIL CUT-OFF AGAIN [...] (C) President Chavez has again raised the threat of stopping oil sales to the U.S., this time in response to President Bush's alleged "intervention." The remarks, made to an Italian newspaper, follow several weeks in which this theme had lain dormant (although he has turned to other forms o [...] | 2004-04-21 21:29:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG PREL EPET VE |
04CARACAS1368 | JULIO BORGES LEANS TOWARDS ACCEPTING [...] (C) Julio Borges told DCM and PolOff April 21 that Primero Justicia would decide whether to participate in the signature verification process once the National Electoral Council released details of the plan on April 23 or 24, with an opposition decision likely 24 hours later. He seemed to be [...] | 2004-04-23 18:13:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1369 | CODEL NELSON: GOV REACTIONS TO PRESS STATEMENTS [...] (U) GOV OFFICIALS REACTED STRONGLY TO REMARKS MADE BY SENATOR BILL NELSON (D-FL) TO THE MIAMI HERALD ON APRIL 18TH. IN THE INTERVIEW SENATOR NELSON HAD NOTED THAT THE U.S. KNEW THAT THE GOV WAS AIDING THE FARC, WAS FAILING TO CONTROL A BLACK MARKET IN VENEZUELAN PASSPORTS, AND WAS INTERFE [...] | 2004-04-23 18:13:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1384 | GOV GLOATS OVER CARTER LETTER ON SIGNATURE TALKS [...] (C) The GOV released on April 22 a letter sent a week earlier by former President Carter to President Hugo Chavez registering concerns over delays in the signature appeals process negotiations. The letter offered recommendations to the GOV on the parameters of the appeals process and proposed [...] | 2004-04-26 15:40:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS1410 | CODEL NELSON: MEETINGS WITH FM PEREZ AND NA VICE [...] (C) In separate meetings, Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) pressed Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jesus Perez and National Assembly Vice President Ricardo Gutierrez on the referendum, relations with Cuba, GOV support to the FARC, passport fraud, and agrement for Ambassador-designate Brownfield. Gutier [...] | 2004-04-26 20:42:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1426 | VISIT TO VENEZUELA OF SENATOR NELSON - ECONOMIC [...] (C) During his April 15-17 visit to Venezuela Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) met with representatives of U.S. energy businesses operating in Venezuela, with state oil corporation PDVSA President Ali Rodriguez, and with members of the board of the Venezuela-U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( [...] | 2004-04-27 21:27:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ENRG PREL VE |
04CARACAS1431 | FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER CHADERTON STICKS TO MESSAGE [...] (C) THE AMBASSADOR HAD BREAKFAST WITH FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER, NOW AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE TO FRANCE, ROY CHADERTON APRIL 22. CHADERTON LAMENTED THE POOR STATE OF U.S.-VENEZUELA RELATIONS, AND BLAMED THE SITUATION ON SCHEMING COLOMBIANS AND ON MEDIA OWNERS LIKE GUSTAVO CISNEROS. THE AMBASSADOR [...] | 2004-04-28 16:23:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1444 | VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION GREEN LIGHTS SIGNATURE [...] (C) Venezuela's Coordinadora Democratica (CD) decided April 27 to participate in the appeals process, scheduled for May 27-31, for the signatures collected to petition for a recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez. CD leader Governor Enrique Mendoza told Poloff April 26 it is technica [...] | 2004-04-28 21:14:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS1446 | GOV DENIES OIL WILL GO TO CHINA [...] (C) The GOV said once again on April 26 that Venezuela would continue to be a reliable oil supplier to the United States. The statement was made in response to a story in Miami's "El Nuevo Herald" picked up by all leading Caracas dailies the morning of April 26, which alleges that Chavez has [...] | 2004-04-29 10:51:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG PREL EPET VE |
04CARACAS1474 | FIRST VENEZUELAN NATIONAL FORUM ON HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) AT A HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM ORGANIZED BY THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND JUSTICE (MIJ) GOV SPEAKERS DISMISSED ALLEGATIONS OF VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE DISTURBANCES FROM FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 5. SENIOR MIJ OFFICIALS CONTENDED THAT HUMAN RIGHTS ARE MULTIFACETED, AND THE GOV IS ADVANCING SOC [...] | 2004-04-30 20:47:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS1476 | GOV: RENEWED OFFENSIVE AGAINST EX-PDVSA EMPLOYEES [...] (U) THE GOV RESUMED FORCED EVICTIONS OF EX-OIL WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES EARLY THE MORNING OF APRIL 22 AT THE CAMPO MEDICO RESIDENTIAL AREA IN FALCON STATE. UP TO 80 NATIONAL GUARD (GN) TROOPS IN FULL RIOT GEAR SURROUNDED THE HOME OF ANDRES AND MARISOL PACHECO AND FORCED THE FAMILY TO VACATE [...] | 2004-04-30 21:34:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1479 | VENEZUELA MACROECONOMIC UPDATE [...] (U) Venezuela's most recently published economic indicators illustrate the negative effects of deep recession, exchange and price controls, and chronic fiscal deficits. Strong international reserves position and high average oil prices have contributed to reduce the country risk and facilitate [...] | 2004-05-03 16:26:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1505 | VENEZUELAN READINESS FOR ISPS IMPLEMENTATION [...] REFTELS REQUEST THAT POST INFORM THE GOV REGARDING USG ENFORCEMENT OF THE NEW INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION INTERNATIONAL SHIP AND PORT FACILITY SECURITY CODE (ISPS). 2. ON APRIL 29, THIS INFORMATION WAS FORMALLY CONVEYED TO THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DIRECTORATE GENERAL O [...] | 2004-05-05 15:42:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | EWWT ENRG ETRD ECON PHSA PREL VE |
04CARACAS1507 | VENEZUELA: POTENTIAL FRAUD IN THE APPEALS PROCESS [...] (C) Although the opposition has agreed to participate in the National Electoral Council's (CNE) signature appeals process ("reparos") on May 27-31, which if successful will prompt a recall vote against President Hugo Chavez, most in the opposition do not expect a fair and transparent process. [...] | 2004-05-05 18:00:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS1508 | SUPREME COURT LAW PASSED [...] (C) The National Assembly completed the second reading of the Organic Law of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) April 30. The bill, which now goes to committee before further consideration by the plenary, would: -- raise the number of Supreme Court judges from 20 to 32; -- allow the judges [...] | 2004-05-05 18:04:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1510 | PRO-CHAVEZ GROUP PLANS LEGAL ACTION AGAINST [...] (C) The pro-Chavez human rights group ASOVIC delivered a letter to the Director General of the Office of the Foreign Minister Demir Porras declaring its intention to begin legal action against the Ambassador for alleged involvement in the April 11, 2002 events. The group cites alleged traini [...] | 2004-05-05 18:54:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM VE |
04CARACAS1534 | SECOND SOLDIER DIES OF BURNS FROM FORT FIRE [...] (C) The Attorney General's Office announced May 5 that a civilian court will take over the case of an army fort fire in Zulia State that resulted in six injuries and two deaths. On May 4, Angel Pedreanez became the second soldier to die after being severely burned in a Fort Mara confinement cel [...] | 2004-05-10 23:13:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1539 | VENEZUELA: TWO POLLS CONFIRM POLARIZATION [...] (U) President Chavez would lose a recall referendum, though his support remains strong amidst increasing polarization, according to two polls conducted in March. One poll suggests Chavez would be revoked 59-41 percent, while the other suggests he would be revoked 53-40 percent. Both polls sh [...] | 2004-05-11 13:55:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1540 | THE ABCS OF THE VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT'S POLITICAL [...] (U) The Venezuelan government (GOV) has crafted a targeted and generously funded political propaganda strategy to convince Venezuelans and the international community that Chavez's Bolivarian Revolution is the true democratic road to prosperity and to divide, discredit, and demoralize opposi [...] | 2004-05-11 14:28:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO PGOV PREL PINR VE |
04CARACAS1542 | VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION TESTS APPEALS MECHANISM [...] (U) The Coordinadora Democratica conducted on May 8 a nationwide simulation of the May 27-31 appeals process ("reparos") for the presidential referendum signatures. Press reports estimate that about 950,000 people attended the one-day event, which was carried out peacefully. Signers were invi [...] | 2004-05-11 17:33:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS1543 | CHAVEZ: COUP ATTEMPT AVERTED WITH ARREST OF [...] (C) Venezuelan authorities detained between 50 and 90 alleged Colombian irregulars in the dawn hours of May 9 in the southern outskirts of Caracas. Calling the men "paramilitaries" in his "Alo, Presidente" program, President Chavez claimed the opposition was training them for another coup att [...] | 2004-05-11 18:37:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINS VE |
04CARACAS1548 | FOREIGN EXCHANGE AGENCY: DESPITE CORRUPTION AND A [...] (SBU) Amid considerable press attention on reports of corruption at CADIVI (the Commission for Administration of Foreign Exchange) which has led to the dismissal of 50 employees, a pamphlet bomb exploded at their main office in the early morning hours of April 29. CADIVI's President is more c [...] | 2004-05-11 21:02:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1549 | STEEL STRIKE RAISES ISSUES OF POWER AND [...] (SBU) A strike at the partially privatized SIDOR steel complex in Puerto Ordaz (Bolivar state) by a pro-government union has gone on for two weeks. Company sources express fear that the strike, allegedly over failure to share profits with workers, may be a prelude to an effort to undo the [...] | 2004-05-11 21:14:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | ELAB ECON PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1550 | VENEZUELA'S FUEL DEAL WITH ARGENTINA [...] (SBU) Venezuela and Argentina are moving forward with a USD 200 million deal under which state oil corporation PDVSA sells fuel oil and diesel fuel to Argentine firms to ease its energy crisis, and Argentine companies sell a range of food products and manufactures to the GOV. In addition to [...] | 2004-05-12 11:15:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG ECON PREL VE AR |
04CARACAS1551 | LIEUTENANTS DETAINED IN SOLDIER'S DEATH [...] (U) FOUR MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY WERE DETAINED APRIL 28 IN CONNECTION WITH THE MARCH 5 DEATH OF THE SOLDIER ROBERT AGUILAR AT SOCUAVO MILITARY BASE IN ZULIA STATE. AGUILAR'S FAMILY CLAIMS HE DROWNED AFTER SUPERIOR OFFICERS PUT HIM IN A TANK OF SEWAGE AS PUNISHMENT. DEFENSE MINISTER GEN. JORG [...] | 2004-05-12 15:03:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1552 | VENEZUELA'S POWER SECTOR: HEADING FOR ANOTHER [...] (C) After dodging the drought bullet in 2003, Venezuela's power sector is once again (still?) in a fragile state. This time, however, other weaknesses in the electric power system caused by lack of investment, government inattention, and political meddling are taking center stage. The problem [...] | 2004-05-12 15:03:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG VE |
04CARACAS1553 | LIEUTENANTS DETAINED IN SOLDIER'S DEATH [...] (U) FOUR MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY WERE DETAINED APRIL 28 IN CONNECTION WITH THE MARCH 5 DEATH OF THE SOLDIER ROBERT AGUILAR AT SOCUAVO MILITARY BASE IN ZULIA STATE. AGUILAR'S FAMILY CLAIMS HE DROWNED AFTER SUPERIOR OFFICERS PUT HIM IN A TANK OF SEWAGE AS PUNISHMENT. DEFENSE MINISTER GEN. JORG [...] | 2004-05-12 15:03:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1554 | MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE [...] (U) THE GOV UNILATERALLY DECREED A 30 INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE, ATTEMPTING TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION FOR THE LOWEST-EARNING WORKERS. HOWEVER, THOUGH OVERALL INFLATION IS RELATIVELY DOWN, FOOD PRICES ARE INCREASING FASTER THAN ANY OTHER CATEGORY, AND THIS NEW ACTION IS ONLY GOING TO EXACE [...] | 2004-05-12 15:03:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1561 | VENEZUELAN VP RANGEL ON BILATERAL RELATIONS [...] (C) The Ambassador met May 12 with VP Rangel and the FonMin Perez to complain about GOV hostility towards the US, including recent statements, the search of the Embassy warehouse, and the removal of the MILGP from Ven bases. He reiterated our total rejection of extraconstitutional actions ag [...] | 2004-05-12 21:50:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM PTER MASS VE |
04CARACAS162 | GOV FLOATS USD 1 BILLION BOND ISSUE [...] (C) Venezuela issued its fifth tranche of bonds in the past six months on January 7. The new bonds raised USD 1 billion for the GOV and were in heavy demand due to their high offered yield. With a high rate of financing needed for the FY 2004 budget deficit and debt service, more bond operat [...] | 2004-01-16 13:47:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | ECON PGOV VE FIN |
04CARACAS163 | EXXONMOBIL PETROCHEMICAL PROJECT LOOKS LIKELY [...] (U) The following message is Sensitive but Unclassified because it contains corporate information. Please handle accordingly. ------- SUMMARY ------- 2. (SBU) The Ambassador met January 13 with Dan Sanders, President of the ExxonMobil Chemical Company, to discuss the status of a possi [...] | 2004-01-16 16:43:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EPET VE |
04CARACAS1646 | COLOMBIAN "PARAMILITARIES" IN VENEZUELA [...] (C) The Chavez administration is beside itself that the Venezuelan public in general, the international community, and the media are reacting very skeptically to the allegations of a Colombian "paramilitary" threat to his government. On May 9, Chavez went on a national TV and radio hookup to [...] | 2004-05-13 15:54:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL VE |
04CARACAS1656 | CNE SHOWDOWN WITH OAS AND CARTER CENTER [...] (C) National Electoral Council (CNE) President Francisco Carrasquero issued an ultimatum to the OAS and The Carter Center (TCC) to either retract their statement of May 12 or the CNE would reconsider the OAS/TCC observation mission of the recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez. The Ma [...] | 2004-05-13 22:09:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1658 | GOV NABS BARUTA MUNICIPALITY MAYOR HENRIQUE [...] (U) BARUTA MUNICIPALITY MAYOR HENRIQUE CAPRILES RADONSKY (PRIMERO JUSTICIA) PRESENTED HIMSELF BEFORE A CARACAS COURT MAY 11 TO FACE CHARGES REGARDING HIS ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT IN A VIOLENT PROTEST OUTSIDE THE CUBAN EMBASSY ON APRIL 12, 2002 (REF). DURING THE HEARING, PROSECUTOR DANILO ANDERSON [...] | 2004-05-14 12:12:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1692 | UPDATE: ALLEGED COLOMBIAN PARAMILITARY COUP PLOT [...] (U) Colombian Foreign Minister Carolina Barco, after meeting with President Chavez May 14, told reporters that her government is cooperating fully with Venezuelan authorities in the investigation of alleged Colombian paramilitaries detained in the southern outskirts of Caracas May 9 (ref). Bar [...] | 2004-05-17 18:56:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL PINS VE |
04CARACAS1723 | CHAVEZ CALLS FOR CITIZEN SOLDIERS [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez addressed a pro-GOV mass march on May 16 against the alleged Colombian paramilitaries detained near Caracas May 9. Outlining a new strategy for the "integral, popular defense" of the country, Chavez pledged to increase the size and budget of the armed forces, root ou [...] | 2004-05-18 20:39:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV MARR PINS KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1724 | SCENARIOS FOR VENEZUELA'S SIGNATURE APPEALS [...] (C) The May 27-31 signature appeals process ("reparos") is a critical juncture in the opposition's attempt to remove President Hugo Chavez via a recall referendum. The National Electoral Council's rigid appeals system will likely result in a slim margin of victory or defeat, which could increa [...] | 2004-05-18 21:18:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS1727 | HUGO CHAVEZ' MAY 9 ALO PRESIDENTE SPEECH [...] The following is a summary of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez' May 9 Alo Presidente program. Chavez' marathon speeches, of three to five hours, increasingly contain accusations of U.S. interference in domestic affairs and conspiracy to overthrow his government. This 191st Alo Presidente wa [...] | 2004-05-19 11:42:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KPAO OPRC KIRC VE |
04CARACAS1728 | HUGO CHAVEZ' MAY 16 SPEECH [...] The following is a summary of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez' May 9 speech during the Venezuelan government's (GOV) "Rally for Peace and against Paramilitaries, and in Defense of Sovereignty and the Dignity of the Nation" in Caracas, which substituted for Chavez' usual Sunday Alo Presidente [...] | 2004-05-19 11:42:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KPAO OPRC KIRC VE |
04CARACAS173 | OPPOSITION FRAYS OVER ELECTORAL QUESTIONS [...] (C) The National Electoral Council (CNE) officially began the verification process for the three signature drives to recall President Hugo Chavez and numerous National Assembly deputies January 13. The CNE's announcement that gubernatorial and mayoral elections will take place as scheduled in [...] | 2004-01-16 17:47:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL VE |
04CARACAS1730 | VENEZUELA: SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE [...] (C) Opponents of President Hugo Chavez and the National Electoral Council (CNE) continue to prepare for the signature appeals process ("reparos") scheduled for May 27-31. Relations between the international observers (OAS and the Carter Center) and the CNE improved slightly, but sensitivities [...] | 2004-05-19 18:04:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM VE OAS |
04CARACAS1740 | VENEZUELA'S DETENTIONS RECORD: POLITICALLY [...] (C) More than 400 persons detained during the February 27-March 5 political disturbances have been released, but many still face pending charges. Since December 2002, the detention, or threatened detention, of individuals aligned with the opposition has increased. Some of the persons detaine [...] | 2004-05-20 19:44:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1748 | VENEZUELA: CNE VERSUS OAS-CARTER CENTER OBSERVERS [...] (C) CONTRARY TO HIS COMMENTS TO THE PRESS MAY 20, OAS CHIEF OF STAFF FERNANDO JARAMILLO TOLD ME AND OTHER AMBASSADORS FROM THE GROUP OF FRIENDS THAT HIS AND FRANCISCO DIEZ,S MEETING WITH CNE DIRECTORS MAY 20 HAD BEEN TENSE AND DIFFICULT. CNE DIRECTOR JORGE RODRIGUEZ, HE SAID, ACCUSED THE OAS [...] | 2004-05-21 16:42:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1749 | DEPUTIES SIGNATURE APPEALS PROCESS BEGINS [...] (C) The signature appeals process for the recall of 14 National Assembly deputies (13 from the opposition and one from the GOV coalition) takes place May 20-24, with appeals centers operating May 21-23. The CNE decided May 19 to drop two opposition and one pro-GOV deputy from the appeals proc [...] | 2004-05-21 19:04:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS176 | CHAVEZ HURLS INSULTS AND REACTS TO USG STATEMENTS [...] (C) Seeking to shift attention from the CNE and the recall referendum processes, President Hugo Chavez reacted to recent comments on Venezuela by USG officials, repeatedly calling National Security Advisor Rice "an illiterate." Chavez believes that the USG is meddling in Venezuelan internal af [...] | 2004-01-16 21:06:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS1781 | ANTI-SEMITIC TRACTS IN INTERIOR MINISTRY OFFICES [...] (U) VISITING AN OFFICE IN THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND JUSTICE (MIJ) ON APRIL 29, POLOFF FOUND A LARGE STACK OF PRO-CHAVEZ RELIGIOUS TRACTS IN THE WAITING AREA. THE COLOR-PRINTED LEAFLETS, CONTAINED APOCALYPTIC ANTI-SEMITIC AND ANTI-AMERICAN LANGUAGE AND THREATS. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAPER, [...] | 2004-05-26 17:37:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SOCI VE |
04CARACAS1799 | VENEZUELA: PRESIDENTIAL SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE [...] (C) The signature appeals process for the recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez will begin May 27, with 2,659 centers opening to the public May 28-30. The pro-Chavez campaign committee Comando Ayacucho formally requested the National Electoral Council (CNE) remove OAS Chief Observer [...] | 2004-05-26 21:54:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE OAS |
04CARACAS1800 | CORRECTED COPY: ANTI-SEMITIC TRACTS IN INTERIOR [...] (U) VISITING AN OFFICE IN THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND JUSTICE (MIJ) ON APRIL 29, POLOFF FOUND A LARGE STACK OF PRO-CHAVEZ RELIGIOUS TRACTS IN THE WAITING AREA. THE COLOR-PRINTED LEAFLETS, CONTAINED APOCALYPTIC ANTI-SEMITIC AND ANTI-AMERICAN LANGUAGE AND THREATS. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAPER, [...] | 2004-05-27 12:20:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SOCI VE |
04CARACAS1817 | TSJ LAW TAKES EFFECT [...] (U) The Organic Law of the Supreme Court of Justice came into effect May 20 after the National Assembly (NA) passed it on May 18. The Internal Policy committee of the NA made several substantial changes in the law between its second reading and the final vote, which the opposition claims vio [...] | 2004-05-27 19:39:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1837 | SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE: MAY 27 [...] (C) The signature appeals process formally began on May 27, with armed forces and National Electoral Council (CNE) workers mounting the 2,607 appeals centers throughout Venezuela (centers will be open to the public May 28-30). Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel on May 27 characterized an edito [...] | 2004-05-28 21:18:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1839 | VENEZUELA: SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE: MAY 28 [...] (U) The appeals centers opened May 28 in an atmosphere of calm. Turnout appeared to be good (anecdotally, between 25 and 30 percent by the afternoon),especially in urban areas, with reports that very few of the participants sought to withdraw their signatures. There were reports across the [...] | 2004-05-28 21:29:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1860 | SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE: MAY 29 [...] (U) The second day of the signature appeals in the presidential referendum process began slowly with low turnout, picking up by mid-morning. There were multiple reports of violence at appeals centers, including two assaults against journalists. National identity cards continued to be controv [...] | 2004-06-01 17:15:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1861 | SIGNATURES APPEALS UPDATE: MAY 30 [...] (C) Venezuelans turned out in lesser numbers on the last day of presidential signature (May 30) appeals. Partial results indicate the opposition collected enough appeals to activate the referendum. There were violent confrontations between Chavez sympathizers and opposition groups near appea [...] | 2004-06-01 17:17:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1878 | VENEZUELA: SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE, JUNE 1 [...] (C) The Coordinadora Democratica (CD) claimed on June 1 they had collected 131,000 more signature appeal than needed to activate the referendum against President Hugo Chavez. National Electoral Council (CNE) Vice President Ezequiel Zamora (pro-opposition) denounced on May 31 that the CNE had i [...] | 2004-06-02 19:54:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE OAS |
04CARACAS1879 | MYSTERIOUS GASOLINE SHORTAGE AFFECTS EASTERN [...] (C) A gasoline shortage affected the eastern, primarily opposition, portion of the city of Caracas over the weekend of May 29-30. The shortage mysteriously coincided closely with the days of the appeal process for the presidential referendum. While Minister of Energy and Mines Rafael Ramirez [...] | 2004-06-02 20:06:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1880 | STATUS OF CAPRILES AND SUMATE CASES [...] (U) Maria Corina Machado, of the electoral NGO Sumate told reporters June 1 that the hearing to charge her with treason and conspiracy had been rescheduled for the second time until June 10. Another Sumate leader, Alejandro Plaz, is scheduled to have his hearing June 2. On May 31, a Caracas c [...] | 2004-06-02 20:19:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1889 | WHAT'S NEXT FOR CHAVEZ [...] (C) Pending announcement of the official results of the appeals for the presidential recall referendum signatures, there are rumors and indications that President Hugo Chavez may be willing to accept a National Electoral Council (CNE) decision that results in a recall referendum. If so, the [...] | 2004-06-03 16:11:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1904 | GDP GROWTH OR REBOUND? DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ASK [...] (SBU) THE CENTRAL BANK (BCV) HAS REPORTED 1ST QUARTER GDP GROWTH OF 29.8% COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD OF 2003, WHEN IT FELL 27.8%. MINISTER OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT JORGE GIORDANI SAYS THAT THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF A PERIOD OF SUSTAINED GROWTH. HIS IS A LONE VOICE, AS INDEPENDENT ECONOMIS [...] | 2004-06-04 17:46:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1908 | CHAVEZ AGREES TO RECALL REFERENDUM [...] (C) The National Electoral Council (CNE) announced June 3 that its preliminary calculations indicated that the opposition had collected enough signatures to activate the recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez. In a national radio and television broadcast (cadena) from Miraflores Pala [...] | 2004-06-04 20:36:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1910 | RETIRED GENERAL ARRESTED FOR DEFAMING MILITARY [...] (U) ON MAY 22 THE NATIONAL GUARD AND DIRECTORATE FOR MILITARY INTELLIGENCE ARRESTED FORMER FINANCE MINISTER, BRIGADIER GENERAL FRANCISCO USON RAMIREZ_ FOR "DEFAMING" THE MILITARY. GENERAL USON HAS BEEN AN OPEN SUPPORTER OF THE POLITICAL OPPOSITION TO PRESIDENT CHAVEZ AND RECENTLY CRITICIZED [...] | 2004-06-04 21:29:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1940 | AMBASSADOR'S TRIP TO MARACAIBO [...] (C) On June 5, the Ambassador traveled to Maracaibo, Zulia State, where Esteban Pineda, editor of the Maracaibo daily Panorama, told him that the pro-Chavez gubernatorial candidate suffers from incredibly low support ratings and has few prospects in Zulia's upcoming elections. At a lunch hos [...] | 2004-06-08 21:58:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1942 | VENEZUELA REFERENDUM: RECALL OR RATIFICATION [...] (C) Before a multitude of supporters June 6, President Hugo Chavez morphed the recall referendum sought by his opponents into a referendum to ratify his mandate. He called on his supporters to help him once again defeat the enemies of the Bolivarian revolution who would deprive them of the s [...] | 2004-06-09 12:47:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1943 | PDVSA MONEY GOES STRAIGHT TO GOV SPENDING [...] (C) SUMMARY: Central Bank (BCV reserves) peaked on May 14, and have since been dropping sharply. The chairman of the National Assembly Finance Committee and the President of state-owned oil company PDVSA have publicly confirmed that the reason for the decline is that PDVSA has ceased turning [...] | 2004-06-09 12:50:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN EPET PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1950 | CNE SETS AUGUST 15 FOR CHAVEZ RECALL [...] (U) FRANCISCO CARRASQUERO, PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA'S NATIONAL ELECTORAL COUNCIL, OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED JUNE 8 THAT OPPONENTS OF PRESIDENT CHAVEZ HAD OBTAINED SUFFICIENT SIGNATURES TO PETITION FOR A REFERENDUM TO RECALL THE PRESIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE CNE TALLIES, THE OPPOSITION OBTAINED 2,541, [...] | 2004-06-09 20:34:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1957 | JOURNALIST PATRICIA POLEO QUESTIONED BY MILITARY [...] (U) A MILITARY JUDGE REFUSED THE PROSECUTOR'S REQUEST JUNE 8 TO JAIL JOURNALIST PATRICIA POLEO. A MILITARY PROSECUTOR CHARGED POLEO MARCH 22 WITH FOMENTING REBELLION AND DEFAMATION OF THE ARMED FORCES BASED ON A VIDEO POLEO MADE PUBLIC SHOWING CUBANS IN A NATIONAL GUARD BARRACKS. MILITARY PRO [...] | 2004-06-10 20:20:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS198 | DENGUE AND THE POLITICS OF HEALTH CARE IN VENEZUELA [...] (SBU) A significant increase in the number of dengue cases in Caracas in December sparked concern about an epidemic among city residents (including the Embassy community). The upsurge in dengue, following shortly after an October 2003 outbreak of yellow fever, triggered questions about the G [...] | 2004-01-20 21:50:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SOCI ECON PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1993 | AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH SUMATE LEADERS [...] (C) SUMATE leaders Maria Corina Machado and Alejandro Plaz were charged on June 10 and 11 respectively with conspiracy to "destroy the republican form of government" for accepting funds from the National Endowment for Democracy, but have not been detained. Plaz and Machado told the Ambassador [...] | 2004-06-16 15:57:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1994 | UPDATE ON CONDITION OF POLITICAL PRISONERS [...] (U) VENEZUELA'S SUPREME COURT (TSJ) COURT RULED JUNE 10 THAT THE NINE PERSONS DETAINED IN TACHIRA FOR THE PAST YEAR ON CHARGES OF REBELLION SHOULD NOT BE FREED FROM PRISON PENDING TRIAL, AND ORDERED THE TRIAL JUDGE TO BEGIN THE TRIAL WITHIN EIGHT DAYS. DISIP (POLITICAL POLICE) AGENTS TRANSPOR [...] | 2004-06-16 15:58:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV VE |
04CARACAS1995 | CHOOSING THE OPPOSITION'S UNIFIED CANDIDATE [...] (C) The opposition is focusing all efforts toward a united front for the August 15 recall referendum. Opposition leaders told the Ambassador in early June that they will wait to announce a candidate until after the referendum because the referendum is a Chavez/anti-Chavez vote. The opposition [...] | 2004-06-16 16:03:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS1998 | AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH VICE PRESIDENT RANGEL [...] (C) On June 16, the Ambassador met with GOV Executive Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel. Rangel stated that Chavez and his supporters would accept the results of any referendum and would act as a democratic opposition if they lost. He said that the integrity of Venezuela's electoral insti [...] | 2004-06-16 21:33:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2003 | NO PROGRESS ON POVERTY UNDER CHAVEZ - UNDP [...] (SBU) The Chavez government appears to have made little progress on its alleged "flagship" issue - that of alleviating poverty, according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) office in Caracas. There is no mechanism in place to track the results of its various ad hoc social welf [...] | 2004-06-17 11:30:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV SOCI VE |
04CARACAS2009 | PARAMILITARIES UPDATE [...] The May 9 discovery of alleged Colombian paramilitaries, replaced in national headlines by the appeals process and the announcement of the recall referendum, remains a salient issue. The National Assembly has convened special investigative commission, which has already interviewed the Minist [...] | 2004-06-17 16:47:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2027 | NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS HELD IN PRISON KILLINGS [...] (U) The Bolivar state appeals court June 7 ordered four National Guardsmen be detained pending trial for murder. The four are suspected of executing seven prisoners and wounding 200 in the Vista Hermosa prison November 10, 2003. A lower court had set the four free March 9, 2004. The case is be [...] | 2004-06-18 20:15:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2033 | THE NEXT ROUND OF ARRESTS? [...] No summary [...] | 2004-06-18 20:37:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2036 | REFERENDUM DEVELOPMENTS: QUESTIONS UPON QUESTIONS [...] (C) A Supreme Court (TSJ) decision on June 8 determined that a recalled Chavez may run for president in 2006, but left unclear whether he may participate in presidential election 30 days after the recall vote. The National Electoral Council (CNE) on June 15 approved the question for the recal [...] | 2004-06-18 21:01:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2037 | OPPOSITION DEVELOPING A "GOVERNANCE PACT" [...] (C) A "brain trust" of informal consultants is working with the Coordinadora Democratica (CD) to develop a post-Chavez governance plan to help convince Venezuelans to vote against President Hugo Chavez in the August 15 recall referendum. Fernando Martinez Mottola, a consultant for the CD, sa [...] | 2004-06-18 21:08:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2038 | PDVSA: AND YET MORE RESHUFFLING? [...] (C) RUMORS OF UPCOMING SENIOR LEVEL DEPARTURES/REASSIGNMENTS WITHIN VENEZUELA'S ENERGY SECTOR ARE ONCE AGAIN REACHING FEVER PITCH IN CARACAS WITH PETROLEOS DE VENEZUELA (PDVSA) PRESIDENT ALI RODRIGUEZ, CITGO PRESIDENT LUIS MARIN, AND VICE MINISTER FOR HYDROCARBONS LUIS VIERMA THE MOST POPULAR [...] | 2004-06-18 21:14:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET VE |
04CARACAS2045 | PDVSA: AND YET MORE RESHUFFLING? [...] (C) RUMORS OF UPCOMING SENIOR LEVEL DEPARTURES/REASSIGNMENTS WITHIN VENEZUELA'S ENERGY SECTOR ARE ONCE AGAIN REACHING FEVER PITCH IN CARACAS WITH PETROLEOS DE VENEZUELA (PDVSA) PRESIDENT ALI RODRIGUEZ, CITGO PRESIDENT LUIS MARIN, AND VICE MINISTER FOR HYDROCARBONS LUIS VIERMA THE MOST POPULAR [...] | 2004-06-21 19:50:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET VE |
04CARACAS2059 | TIP REPORT: GOV REACTS INDIGNANTLY [...] (U) NUMEROUS GOV OFFICIALS RESPONDED WITH INDIGNATION AND CONDEMNATION TOWARD THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S 2004 TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (TIP) REPORT, WHICH LISTED VENEZUELA AS A TIER 3 COUNTRY. THE FOREIGN MINISTRY ACCUSED THE U.S. OF SERIOUS TRAFFICKING AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OF ITS OWN. GOV A [...] | 2004-06-22 20:24:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2060 | REVOLUTION FIRST AT GOV DEPOSIT GUARANTEE FUND [...] (U) FOGADE (Banking Protection Guarantee Fund, FDIC-equivalent) President Jesus Caldera Infante proposed raising the assessment (paid by banks) on all bank account deposits from 0.5% to 2.0%. Industry experts say that this will force up interest rates, though Caldera disagrees. With the extr [...] | 2004-06-22 20:29:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2063 | FELIPE MUJICA ON HOW TO BEAT CHAVEZ [...] (C) On June 17, Political officers met with Felipe Mujica, President of Movimiento a Socialismo (MAS) and one of the leading Coordinadora Democratica (CD) negotiators with the National Electoral Council (CNE). Mujica outlined what he thought should be the CD's campaign strategy for the presid [...] | 2004-06-22 21:09:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2064 | GOV REACTS HARSHLY TO HRW REPORT ON JUSTICE SYSTEM [...] (C) Jose Miguel Vivanco, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, released a report in Caracas June 17 strongly criticizing Venezuela's new Supreme Court law, and calling for implementation of the OAS Democratic Charter if the Venezuelan authorities did not act to preserve the balance of pow [...] | 2004-06-22 21:42:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2078 | CHAVISTA LEGISLATORS FIRE OPPOSITION SUPREME COURT [...] (U) The National Assembly (NA) removed Supreme Court (TSJ) Vice President Franklin Arriechi Gutierrez June 16. The Chavista-controlled NA used the power given them by the new TSJ law to remove judges with a simple majority vote in some SIPDIS situations. Arriechi, known to oppose Chavez, wil [...] | 2004-06-23 21:32:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2081 | CHAVEZ V. CHAVEZ: WHAT'S HIS PLAN? [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez is in full campaign mode for the August 15 referendum on whether he should finish his term. Smarting from the moral defeat of having to accept the referendum, Chavez has recast the referendum as an inevitable victory for his revolution. His strategy rests on mobilizin [...] | 2004-06-25 15:05:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2087 | NEW REFERENDUM POLLING FIGURES [...] (C) GREENBERG, ROSNER AND QUINLAN (GRQ) SHOWED THE OPPOSITION THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF ITS LATEST POLL REGARDING THE AUGUST 15 REFERENDUM. THE FIGURES SHOW THAT VOTERS ARE SPLIT 48-TO-48 ON WHETHER TO RECALL PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ. GRQ REP MARK FEIERSTIEN CONTENDED THAT WITH THE ECONOMY D [...] | 2004-06-25 19:51:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2088 | THE CHAVEZ, CARTER, CISNEROS RUMOR MILL [...] (C) On June 18, President Hugo Chavez, former President Jimmy Carter and media magnate Gustavo Cisneros met behind closed doors for two hours at Fuerte Tiuna in Caracas. While Chavez, Cisneros and the Carter Center have all stated the meeting was simply a first step toward improved dialogue, [...] | 2004-06-25 20:53:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2089 | REVOLUTIONARY SOAP OPERA BUBBLES OVER FOR GOV [...] (C) "Amores de Barrio Adentro (Love Inside the Neighborhood)," a state-sponsored soap opera, premiered on national television on June 22 after a two-hour national premiere party. "Amores" is filled with pro-Chavez rhetoric, GoV propaganda, and attacks on the opposition, while providing the cl [...] | 2004-06-25 22:02:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2108 | VENEZUELA'S AUTOMATED VOTING SYSTEM: UNDER FIRE [...] (C) Venezuela's new automated voting system will make its premiere in the August 15 recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez. The consortium behind the untested system, led by the U.S. company Smartmatic, has yet to finalize its contracts with the National Electoral Council (CNE). The [...] | 2004-06-28 21:49:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2118 | PDVSA - OIL COMPANY OR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY? [...] (C) Through budgetary and non-budgetary spending, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) is now the primary agent for implementation of Chavez Administration social programs. Over $1.7 billion has been designated to social development programs in PDVSA's 2004 budget while up to an additional $2 billi [...] | 2004-06-29 20:16:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET EFIN PGOV VE ECON |
04CARACAS2123 | OPPOSITION FINALLY LAUNCHES PRESIDENTIAL RECALL [...] (C) After three weeks of wrangling, the Coordinadora Democratica (CD) on June 25 launched its presidential recall campaign committee and swore in members of its 'yes commands.' Enrique Mendoza, Governor of Miranda and likely presidential candidate in a possible follow-on election, said in a [...] | 2004-06-29 21:20:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2130 | MAYOR CAPRILES FORMALLY CHARGED IN CUBAN EMBASSY [...] (C) ON JUNE 25, PRO-GOV PROSECUTOR DANILO ANDERSON FILED FORMAL CHARGES AGAINST FORMER MAYOR OF BARUTA MUNICIPALITY HENRIQUE RODONSKI CAPRILES FOR HIS ALLEGED ROLE IN THE APRIL 12, 2002 SIEGE OF THE CUBAN EMBASSY IN CARACAS. CAPRILES CONTINUES TO BE DETAINED WITHOUT BAIL. THIS CASE IS AN E [...] | 2004-06-30 11:50:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2145 | MORE POLLING DATA ON RECALL REFERENDUM [...] (C) ON JUNE 23, GREENBERG, QUINLAN, ROSNER RESEARCH INC. (GQR) RELEASED THE RESULTS OF ITS NATIONAL PUBLIC OPINION STUDY (REF). COLLECTED AFTER THE REPAROS PROCESS, THE FIGURES SHOW THAT NATIONAL OPINION IS SPLIT 48-TO-48 ON WHETHER TO RECALL PRESIDENT CHAVEZ. NATIONAL OPINION WAS FAVORABL [...] | 2004-07-01 21:52:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2146 | ARRIECHI ACCUSES TSJ JUDGES OF CORRUPTION [...] (C) SUPREME COURT (TSJ) JUDGE FRANKLIN ARRIECHI SPOKE WITH PAO AND POLOFF JUNE 23, AFTER BEING REMOVED FROM THE TSJ (SEE REFTEL.) ARRIECHI REJECTED THE VALIDITY OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (NA) VOTE TO REMOVE HIM. HE STATED HIS INTENTION TO IGNORE THE RULING, AND CONTINUE TO REPORT TO WORK IN ORD [...] | 2004-07-01 21:52:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2147 | TITLE III LIBERTAD ACT WAIVER: VENEZUELA [...] (C) VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ IS PERHAPS THE CLOSEST INTERNATIONAL ALLY OF FIDEL CASTRO. THE TWO NATIONS' TRADE RELATIONSHIP IS BASED ON VENEZUELA'S CONCESSIONARY PETROLEUM EXPORTS TO CUBA. THE GOV HAS NOT TAKEN ANY STEPS OF WHICH POST IS AWARE IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS TO ADVANCE DEMOCR [...] | 2004-07-01 21:56:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ETTC KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2153 | CHAVEZ PADS VOTES WITH NATURALIZATION AND IDENTITY [...] (C) THE GOV'S "MISION IDENTIDAD" (MISSION IDENTITY) IS PROVIDING CEDULAS (IDENTITY CARDS) TO MASSIVE NUMBERS OF UNDOCUMENTED VENEZUELANS AND FOREIGNERS. THE GOV IS WORKING BUSILY VIA THE MISSION TO ISSUE IDENTITY CARDS TO POTENTIAL VOTERS BEFORE THE JULY 10 ELECTORAL REGISTRY DEADLINE FOR THE [...] | 2004-07-02 17:21:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE CONS |
04CARACAS2158 | OPPOSITION RANK-AND-FILE ATTACK CHAVISTAS [...] (C) A GROUP OF OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS ATTACKED A PRO-CHAVEZ COMANDO MAISANTA CAMPAIGN TEAM IN THE WEALTHY ALTO PRADO AREA OF CARACAS ON JUNE 27. A STATE TELEVISION REPORTER WAS THROWN TO THE GROUND, AND A CHAVEZ CAMPAIGN WORKER WAS HIT IN THE HEAD AND LEFT BLEEDING. THE INCIDENT IS BEING USED [...] | 2004-07-06 11:53:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS2172 | BOLIVAR: POLITICS AND ECONOMICS IN THE LAND OF [...] SUMMARY: (SBU) THE STATE OF BOLIVAR, BY FAR THE LARGEST IN VENEZUELA IN AREA, IS A REGION WITH ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE MUCH HIGHER THAN ITS RELATIVELY LOW POPULATION WOULD INDICATE. (BOLIVAR PRODUCES 100% OF VENEZUELAN ALUMINUM AND GOLD, 90% OF ITS STEEL, AND ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF ITS ELECTRICITY.) [...] | 2004-07-07 14:59:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2183 | CONCERNS ABOUT PRESIDENTIAL RECALL TIMELINE [...] (C) AS VENEZUELA APPROACHES THE AUGUST 15 PRESIDENTIAL RECALL VOTE, UNCERTAINTY REMAINS OVER POSSIBLE DELAYS IN THE RECALL PROCESS AND EXACTLY WHICH EVENT--THE RECALL VOTE OR THE RELEASE OF THE OFFICIAL RESULTS--MUST OCCUR BEFORE AUGUST 19 TO PREVENT TRIGGERING ARTICLE 233 OF THE CONSTITUTION. [...] | 2004-07-07 19:46:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2197 | MAVERICK DEPUTY MAKES CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS [...] (C) NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEPUTY ROGER RONDON (PODEMOS) ATTACKED THE RULING FIFTH REPUBLIC MOVEMENT (MVR) AND HAD HIS HANDS SLAPPED AS A CONSEQUENCE AFTER A WEEK-LONG MID-JUNE CAMPAIGN TO BRING A VOTE OF CENSURE AGAINST MINISTER OF ENERGY AND MINES RAFAEL RAMIREZ_. RONDON FAILED TO BRING THE VOTE [...] | 2004-07-09 14:54:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ENRG VE |
04CARACAS2199 | PRESIDENT OF TSJ ELECTORAL CHAMBER RETIRES [...] (U) THE PRESIDENT OF THE ELECTORAL CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT (TSJ) ALBERTO MARTINI RETIRED FROM THE TSJ ON JULY 7, ALONG WITH JUSTICES RAFAEL HERNANDEZ AND RAFAEL PEREZ PERDOMO. MARTINI AND HERNANDEZ, BOTH MEMBERS OF THE ELECTORAL CHAMBER, WILL BE REPLACED BY PRO-CHAVEZ ALTERNATES. THE TSJ [...] | 2004-07-09 15:11:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KJUS VE |
04CARACAS2200 | CHAVEZ'S FORMER PARTNER DISCUSSES THE DEVELOPMENT [...] (C) HERMA MARKSMAN, CHAVEZ'S FORMER COMMON-LAW WIFE FROM 1984-1993, SPOKE TO POLOFFS ON JULY 1 ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHAVEZ'S POLITICAL IDEOLOGY. SHE CLAIMS THAT CHAVEZ WAS INFLUENCED BY 1960'S GUERRILLAS. MARKSMAN DISAGREED WITH THE OPPOSITION'S PORTRAYAL OF CHAVEZ AS AN IDIOT AND WARNED THAT H [...] | 2004-07-09 15:14:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2201 | GOV GAG RULE ON INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS [...] (C) VENEZUELA'S NATIONAL ELECTORAL COUNCIL (CNE) APPROVED ON JUNE 23 THE REGULATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS DURING THE AUGUST 15 PRESIDENTIAL RECALL REFERENDUM. THE RULES STIPULATE THAT OBSERVERS WILL HAVE FULL ACCESS TO VOTING SITES AND CNE OFFICES, BUT MAY NOT MAKE PRESS STATEMENTS OR [...] | 2004-07-09 15:16:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2202 | TRIAL BEGINS IN TACHIRA 9 CASE [...] (U) JUDGE GERSON NINO OPENED THE TRIAL AGAINST NINE OPPOSITION LEADERS WHO HAVE BEEN IN PRISON FOR THE LAST YEAR IN TACHIRA STATE ON JULY 6. THE NINE ARE CHARGED WITH CIVIL REBELLION FOR THE EVENTS OF APRIL 11, 2002 IN SAN CRISTOBAL, TACHIRA. AT THE OPENING OF THE TRIAL, PROSECUTOR JAIRO ESC [...] | 2004-07-09 15:19:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2203 | "SI" RECALL CAMPAIGN MOBILIZES [...] (C) VENEZUELA'S COORDINADORA DEMOCRATICA IS GEARING UP ITS CAMPAIGN FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL RECALL REFERENDUM, ORGANIZING ITS GET-OUT-THE-VOTE PROGRAMS THROUGH POLITICAL PARTIES AND CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS. KEY OPPOSITION FIGURES HAVE EMBARKED ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL THROUGHOUT VENEZUELA, THOUGH STAYI [...] | 2004-07-09 16:49:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2207 | CARTER CENTER BALKS AT OBSERVER RULES [...] (C) Carter Center (TCC) representative Edgardo Mimica told poloffs July 8 TCC will not accept an invitation from the National Electoral Council (CNE) to observe the August 15 presidential recall referendum without agreement to minimum conditions that guarantee the freedom and autonomy of the o [...] | 2004-07-09 20:23:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2224 | UPDATE ON THE USAID/OTI VENEZUELA PROGRAM [...] (U) USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) began its Venezuela program in August 2002 to support a democratic solution to Venezuela's political crisis as part of an overall USG strategy. USAID's overall goal in Venezuela is to support a political process that is democratic, constitut [...] | 2004-07-13 17:40:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL EAID KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS2239 | DIVISIONS BETWEEN PROYECTO VENEZUELA AND CD [...] (C) The Coordinadora Democratica in Carabobo is divided over the actions of Proyecto Venezuela, according to local party leaders who talked to PolOffs on July 8 and 9. Leaders of several parties complained that Proyecto Venezuela was not participating enthusiastically in the recall referendum [...] | 2004-07-14 20:50:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2248 | OPPOSITION LAUNCHES "NATIONAL CONSENSUS PLAN" [...] (C) On June 9, the Coordinadora Democratica (CD) launched "Plan Consenso Pais" (National Consensus Plan),a set of proposals that address the key social problems in Venezuela. The four major points of the plan are employment, security, health, and education. The plan serves as a guide for rec [...] | 2004-07-15 18:22:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2251 | VENEZUELA'S ELECTORAL COUNCIL WOBBLING TOWARD THE [...] (C) The National Electoral Council (CNE) continued preparations for the August 15 recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez. Citing logistical difficulties, the CNE decided July 13 not to expand the number of voting centers, primarily in poor neighborhoods, as contemplated previously. [...] | 2004-07-15 18:50:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS2252 | CHAVEZ AND THE EVANGELICALS [...] (C) The GOV is catering to evangelical Christians, who make up nine percent of Venezuela's population, to build the support base of President Hugo Chavez and to win the August recall referendum. Some Evangelicals have plugged into Chavez's coffers and his social message, at times reflecting a [...] | 2004-07-15 18:51:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM KIRF VE |
04CARACAS2254 | SENIOR OFFICIAL PUTS POSITIVE SPIN ON NEW PROJECT [...] (C) Energy Vice Minister Luis Vierma told Emboffs July 12 that Venezuela is currently producing 3 million b/d of oil. He also provided a glowing overview of upcoming projects, both for Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) and the private sector. Most industry analysts, however, continue to put Vene [...] | 2004-07-15 19:17:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG EPET VE |
04CARACAS2255 | PETROAMERICA: CHAVEZ'S OIL DREAM FOR THE AMERICAS [...] (C) Energy Vice Minister Luis Vierma told Emboffs July 12 that discussions with Caribbean nations on the formation of a "PetroCaribe" joint venture are at a preliminary stage. According to Vierma, the GOV's plans for the Hemisphere envision a holding company "PetroAmerica" that would have thre [...] | 2004-07-15 19:19:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG EPET PREL VE |
04CARACAS2266 | BISHOPS URGE VOTER PARTICIPATION AND CLEAN ELECTION [...] (U) The Episcopal Conference of Venezuela (CEV),comprised of Venezuela's Catholic bishops, July 12 exhorted all actors participating in the August 15 presidential recall referendum to act ethically. The bishops also urged them to ensure that the process remains free of corruption and fraud so [...] | 2004-07-16 17:25:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2309 | LACK OF FUNDING WORRIES VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION [...] (C) Coordinadora Democratica (CD) leaders worry they have insufficient funding and time before the recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez scheduled for August 15 to counter Chavez's campaign. CD advisor Jorge Casado told A/DCM July 18 that Chavez appears to be succeeding in projecti [...] | 2004-07-21 11:49:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2312 | VOTING SIMULATION: YANKEES NO, RED SOX SI [...] (C) The National Electoral Council (CNE) successfully conducted a voting simulation on July 18 to prepare for the August 15 presidential recall referendum. SBC, the consortium operating the new voting system, reported a 99.2 percent success rate with the 5,200 machines distributed throughout [...] | 2004-07-21 15:23:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS2367 | THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE: OPPOSITION PLANS [...] (C) If the August 15 presidential recall referendum passes, opposition leaders propose a primary election, to select a unified opposition candidate for the follow-on presidential election. Beyond the apparent front-runner, Miranda State governor Enrique Mendoza, other opposition leaders insid [...] | 2004-07-26 20:40:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS2387 | COMANDO MAISANTA: A MID-CAMPAIGN UPDATE [...] (U) Since its formation, President Hugo Chavez's anti-recall referendum campaign committee, Comando Maisanta, has balanced its activities between concentrated lobbying and widespread propaganda dissemination. Comando Maisanta has pushed for redistributing voting centers and purifying the el [...] | 2004-07-27 20:23:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2389 | CITIZENS ASSEMBLIES: CIVIL SOCIETY GETS ORGANIZED [...] (C) Venezuela's Asambleas de Ciudadanos (Citizen Assemblies),as outlined in Article 70 of the 1999 Constitution, are a means through which civil society can organize itself to address political concerns and attempt to establish government accountability. The opposition's answer to Presiden [...] | 2004-07-28 13:31:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2431 | VENEZUELA'S RECALL REFERENDUM: OBSTRUCTIONS AND [...] (C) With little more than two weeks to go before the scheduled Presidential recall referendum, Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) refused July 29 to consider requests to changes in voting locations which the opposition claims were done fraudulently. The more than one million chang [...] | 2004-07-30 13:21:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE OAS |
04CARACAS2432 | OPPOSITION UNITES BEHIND GOVERNANCE ACCORD [...] (C) The Coordinadora Democratica is calling on Venezuelans to sign its National Accord for Social Justice and Democratic Peace August 1. Coordinadora leaders publicly signed the document, which establishes a broad framework for an opposition-led transition government, should President Chavez [...] | 2004-07-30 13:23:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS2441 | VENEZUELAN TRIAL PROCEDURES AND POLITICAL JUSTICE [...] (U) Court cases against various opponents of President Hugo Chavez are at different stages in the judicial process. The case of Baruta Mayor Henrique Capriles, though he has been in custody for more than two months, is in its initial stages, while the case of National Guard Gen. Carlos Alfonzo [...] | 2004-08-02 15:07:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KJUS VE |
04CARACAS2455 | VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT AND NGOS UNLIKELY TO SUPPORT [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez's support for Fidel Castro and antagonism towards the United States is well documentd and makes GOV support for a democratic transition in Cuba unfeasible. The cooperation that exists between Castro and Chavez is extensive, as evidenced by the over 10,000 Cuban doctor [...] | 2004-08-03 12:04:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM CU VE |
04CARACAS2466 | VENEZUELAN REFERENDUM UPDATE-AUGUST 3, 2004 [...] (C) Supporters of President Hugo Chavez and the National Electoral Council (CNE) conducted separate voting simulations August 1, while the opposition Coordinadora Democratica rallied supporters to sign its Governance Accord and verify electoral registry entries. Each side of the referendum qu [...] | 2004-08-03 18:40:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2480 | VENEZUELA: VIEWS FROM ANDEAN REGIONAL CAPITAL [...] (C) While the Coordinadora Democratica in Merida is divided about local politics and how to run the campaign for the August 15 Referendum, the leaders of several parties agree that President Chavez will be recalled. A barely visible &Si8 campaign for the recall contrasts starkly with overwhelm [...] | 2004-08-04 13:20:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2487 | ECONOMY ON UPSWING AS REFERENDUM DRAWS NEAR [...] (SBU) In accordance with a decree issued by President Chavez in May, the minimum wage rose 10% on August 1, after having increased 20% on May 1. Meanwhile, the parallel dollar rate remains steady at lower levels than before, much more foreign currency is available than at any time since excha [...] | 2004-08-04 18:26:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2509 | VENEZUELA'S VP DISCUSSES REFERENDUM AND HR CASES, [...] (C) DCM (charge at the time) met July 30 with Venezuelan VP Rangel. Rangel was upbeat and dispassionate on broad range of issues: the referendum, which the GOV will win; international observers, whom he welcomed; campaign violence and intimidation, which he agreed that the GOV and opposition [...] | 2004-08-05 17:51:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS251 | CHANGES IN GOV FOREIGN MINISTRY [...] (C) FOREIGN MINISTER ROY CHADERTON CONFIRMED REPORTS ON JANUARY 20 THAT ADAN CHAVEZ, PRESIDENT CHAVEZ'S OLDER BROTHER, WILL BE THE NEW GOV AMBASSADOR TO CUBA. SOURCES AT THE MFA CONFIRM THAT CHADERTON WILL BE REPLACED BY JESUS ARNALDO PEREZ, CURRENT GOV AMBASSADOR TO FRANCE, AND RUMORED TO BE [...] | 2004-01-26 13:42:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL VE |
04CARACAS2515 | VENEZUELA'S VP DISCUSSES REFERENDUM AND HR CASES, [...] (C) DCM (charge at the time) met July 30 with Venezuelan VP Rangel. Rangel was upbeat and dispassionate on broad range of issues: the referendum, which the GOV will win; international observers, whom he welcomed; campaign violence and intimidation, which he agreed that the GOV and opposition [...] | 2004-08-05 20:34:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2516 | CODEL BALLENGER: MEETING WITH OAS REPRESENTATIVE [...] (C) Representatives Cass Ballenger, Gregory Meeks, Bill Delahunt and Butch Otter, accompanied by the Ambassador, met with Organization of American States (OAS) representative Patricio Carbacho at the Ambassador's residence August 3. Carbacho said he believed the OAS observer mission could do i [...] | 2004-08-05 20:53:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM KDEM VE OAS |
04CARACAS2518 | BOSTON GROUP AT VENEZUELA'S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY [...] (U) The U.S.-Venezuela Interparliamentary Forum (informally known as the "Boston Group") met at the Venezuelan National Assembly August 4. At the meeting, which was open to the press, U.S. Representatives Cass Ballenger, Bill Delahunt and Gregory Meeks noted the Boston Group's role in stren [...] | 2004-08-06 12:27:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2539 | VENEZUELA MAYOR RELEASE AGAIN DENIED [...] (U) Caracas Control Judge Leon Villanueva rejected a defense motion to release jailed Baruta Mayor Henrique Capriles on August 4. Villanueva was assigned the case when an Appeals Court ruled the case be reassigned and defense motions considered again. Villanueva scheduled a hearing for August [...] | 2004-08-09 11:48:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KJUS VE |
04CARACAS2540 | VENEZUELAN REFERENDUM UPDATE: AUGUST 6 [...] (C) The National Electoral Council (CNE) unanimously agreed to go to a manual vote if the electronic voting machines fail August 15. The CNE also finalized plans to audit the electronic voting machines on August 8. Unidentified persons attacked a pro-Chavez campaign office in Maracaibo August [...] | 2004-08-09 11:55:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2541 | LEGISLATORS REHASH RECALL AT BOSTON GROUP MEETING [...] (C) Both pro-GOV and pro-opposition National Assembly Deputies meeting with Codel Ballenger August 3 predicted victory in the August 15 referendum to unseat President Hugo Chavez. According to various deputies, participation of uncommitted voters, particularly in poor and rural areas, will ma [...] | 2004-08-09 13:55:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2543 | REFERENDUM DAY GASOLINE SHORTAGES LIKELY IN [...] (C) ChevronTexaco (CTX) downstream managers confirm they believe the GOV will seek to cut off gasoline supplies in the eastern (opposition) part of Caracas before the August 15 referendum. Such an action could cost the opposition a (very) few votes, but would raise tensions immediately before [...] | 2004-08-09 19:46:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ENRG KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2547 | VENEZUELAN REFERENDUM UPDATE: AUGUST 9 [...] (U) National Electoral Council (CNE) director Jorge Rodriguez and Valter Pecly Moreira, head of the Organization of American States (OAS) observation mission in Venezuela, told reporters the audit of 150 electronic voting machines on August 8 was a success. Also on August 8, Chavez supporters [...] | 2004-08-09 20:57:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2563 | VENEZUELAN REFERENDUM UPDATE: AUGUST 10 [...] (C) National Electoral Council (CNE) President Francisco Carrasquero August 9 warned the opposition and the media not to violate rules prohibiting the announcement of referendum results before the votes are officially counted August 15. Chavez supporters attacked opposition campaign workers in [...] | 2004-08-10 21:07:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE OAS |
04CARACAS2564 | CHAVEZ CHARMING THE OIL SECTOR [...] (C) An August 6 ceremony to mark the opening of drilling by ChevronTexaco in the off-shore Deltana Platform natural gas project provided President Chavez with an opportunity to posture for the nation and to send a message to the United States. Chavez publicly tasked Ali Moshiri, ChevronTexaco [...] | 2004-08-11 14:29:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2570 | EXXONMOBIL TO SIGN PROJECT DOCUMENT [...] (C) ExxonMobil de Venezuela President Mark Ward told the Ambassador August 9 that the company is likely to sign the Preliminary Development Agreement (PDA) for a multi-billion dollar petrochemical project with the GOV on August 12. Ward reported that the signing will take place in PDVSA Presid [...] | 2004-08-11 15:00:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2575 | TERRORIST FINANCE LIST 53 [...] No summary [...] | 2004-08-11 17:19:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | EFIN KTFN PTER VE |
04CARACAS2577 | VENEZUELAN REFERENDUM UPDATE: AUGUST 11 [...] (C) The National Electoral Council (CNE) approved the Venezuelan NGO "Electoral Eye" as the only national observation group for the August 15 referendum. Beginning from six different points throughout Caracas and culminating on the highway, opposition supporters will begin a march to conclude [...] | 2004-08-11 21:07:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM ELAB VE |
04CARACAS2580 | VENEZUELAN PRISONER NEWS [...] (U) Judge Carmen Amelia Chacin found Gen. Carlos Alfonzo Martinez guilty of violating security zones and sentenced him to five years probation August 9. The judge also prohibited Alfonzo Martinez from making statements to the media as one of the conditions of his probation. Judge Chacin found [...] | 2004-08-12 13:32:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KJUS PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2581 | VENEZUELA: CARTER CENTER BRIEFS AMBASSADORS [...] (C) Carter Center delegation representatives, including former Argentine President Raul Alfonsin and former Costa Rican President Rodrigo Carazo, met with resident ambassadors August 10 to discuss the Carter Center's role as international observers of the referendum. They outlined observation [...] | 2004-08-12 14:06:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS2582 | MAKING SENSE OF VENEZUELA'S POLLS [...] (C) The August 4 release of a poll reportedly by the Venezuelan Institute of Data Analysis (IVAD in Spanish) showing a majority favoring the recall of President Hugo Chavez, prompted a fierce response from Minister of Communication and Information Jesse Chacon, who said he had seen other poll [...] | 2004-08-12 14:27:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2591 | COVERING VENEZUELA'S RECALL REFERENDUM [...] (C) Embassy Caracas will field informal observers to cover the presidential recall referendum August 15 in and around the capital, Maracaibo and Puerto LaCruz as well as Carabobo and Aragua States. Lacking National Electoral Council credentials for access to voting centers, our observers wil [...] | 2004-08-12 19:13:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2592 | ECONOMIC ASPECT OF OPPOSITION CONSENSUS PLAN [...] (SBU) The Plan Consenso Pais ("National Consensus Plan"),launched June 9 by the Coordinadora Democratica, has a very strong economic focus. However, while long on optimism, it is short on details. For example, while it emphasizes job creation, it provides no specific method to create jobs; i [...] | 2004-08-12 20:28:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2594 | CHEVRONTEXACO: SEIZING THE DAY [...] (C) ChevronTexaco is pushing to expand its business opportunities in Venezuela. The company received the formal license for Block 3 of the off-shore Deltana Platform project at an August 6 ceremony marking the opening of exploratory drilling in Block 2 (see reftel). At that time, ChevronTexa [...] | 2004-08-12 20:44:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET VE |
04CARACAS2595 | SECRETARY POWELL'S STATEMENT ON THE VENEZUELAN [...] On August 12, the last day of campaigning for the presidential recall referendum, the printed and electronic press are full stories on the various aspects of the referendum. While "El Universal" led with the story on the Pope's remarks and prayers to Venezuela, it also picked up Secretary [...] | 2004-08-12 20:44:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO PGOV OPRC KIRC VE |
04CARACAS2596 | RICE LETTER ON SUMATE GETS ATTENTION [...] On July 31, one of Caracas' most important opposition dailies, "El Nacional" carried an article entitled "Condoleezza Rice Criticizes the Political Persecution of Sumate Directors." That same week the Venezuela press has included coverage of a letter from members of the House Committee on I [...] | 2004-08-12 20:45:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM KDEM OPRC KIRC VE |
04CARACAS2597 | VENEZUELA REFERENDUM UPDATE, AUGUST 12 [...] (C) National Electoral Council (CNE) director Jorge Rodriguez made clear that the referendum campaign officially closes at midnight August 12, as was initially decided by the CNE, despite Chavez's Comando Maisanta's request to extend the deadline so its campaign closing event could be held Aug [...] | 2004-08-12 20:45:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE OAS |
04CARACAS2598 | LOOKING TOWARD REFERENDUM DAY [...] (C) On August 15, Venezuelans will take a decisive step in finding a peaceful, democratic electoral solution to the country's political crisis. Nearly 15 months since the signing of the OAS agreement, Venezuelans will say whether President Hugo Chavez stays or goes. The CNE appears ready fo [...] | 2004-08-12 20:45:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE OAS |
04CARACAS2599 | VENEZUELA: GOV CONTINUES TO ACCUSE CANTV [...] (C) The GOV continues to accuse CANTV, the telecommunications company handling the automated voting August 15, of attempting to manipulate the referendum results. Vice President Jose Vincente Rangel warned CANTV and its "North American associates" that the GOV would act if the company and its [...] | 2004-08-12 20:55:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2600 | AMBASSADOR'S VIEWS ON VENEZUELA'S REFERENDUM [...] (C) By law, the Venezuelan recall referendum campaign ends August 12 at midnight. Eighteen months ago the idea that Venezuelans could determine their own future through the ballot box seemed a dream, if not a mirage. On August 15 record numbers of Venezuelans will go to the polls and make t [...] | 2004-08-12 21:59:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM PGOV PREL VE |
04CARACAS2605 | VENEZUELA'S REFERENDUM: THE DAY AFTER [...] (C) Venezuelans will vote August 15 on whether to recall President Hugo Chavez. If the opposition wins, it plans to hold primaries to pick a candidate and then battle Chavez again in presidential elections. Though removed from office, Chavez will still lead the country's largest political mo [...] | 2004-08-13 17:05:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS2607 | VENEZUELAN REFERENDUM UPDATE: AUGUST 13 [...] (C) As the campaigns for the Presidential recall referendum closed August 12, supporters and opponents of President Hugo Chavez celebrated, each claiming future victory. Chavez said he would extend dialog invitations to opposition leaders who accepted his victory and said he would step down i [...] | 2004-08-13 21:10:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE OAS |
04CARACAS2611 | BUSH, CIA, AND THOMAS JEFFERSON "ENEMIES OF [...] With the referendum just a couple of days away, on August 12, President Chavez held a marathon (four- hour-long) press conference for foreign and international press. Chavez took every opportunity to criticize the U.S., its plots against him/Venezuela, and, more importantly, to tell his [...] | 2004-08-13 21:27:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO PGOV OPRC KIRC VE |
04CARACAS2615 | VENEZUELA: REFERENDUM DAY, NOON, AUGUST 15 [...] (U) Despite reported delays in the opening of voting locations, long lines of people (between 400-1,000 people) waited patiently to vote in the August 15 presidential recall referendum. As of 10:30 am local, 99% of the voting centers had opened, according to CNE director Jorge Rodriguez. CNE [...] | 2004-08-15 15:57:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE OAS |
04CARACAS2616 | VENEZUELA: REFERENDUM UPDATE, 6:00 P.M., AUGUST 15 [...] (C) National Electoral Council (CNE) director Jorge Rodriguez announced at 1:30 p.m. that polling hours have officially been extended until 8 p.m.; persons still in line at the time would be allowed to vote. CNE directors Francisco Carrasquero and Rodriguez told reporters they obtained a CD [...] | 2004-08-15 21:52:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2624 | CHAVEZ DECLARES REFERENDUM VICTORY - SO DOES [...] (C) Venezuelan National Electoral Council President Francisco Carrasquero announced August 16 that preliminary results showed 58% of voters chose not to revoke President Chavez. Opposition leaders rejected the result, claiming their exit polls showed that 59% voted in favor of revocation. In [...] | 2004-08-16 17:12:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2629 | VENEZUELA: NO CLOSER TO ACCEPTANCE OF GOV VICTORY [...] (U) In a press conference August 16, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General Cesar Gaviria announced that the results of SIPDIS their quick count coincide with the results announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE) giving Presiden [...] | 2004-08-16 20:48:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE OAS |
04CARACAS2643 | VENEZUELA REFERENDUM UPDATE: AUGUST 17 [...] (C) Violence in Altamira Plaza in Caracas left one dead and 10 injured when a group of opposition demonstrator?T?Qi"QQ\s August 16, President Hugo Chavez said the attack was orchestrated by the opposition to destabilize the country. Chavez once again invited the opposition to a dialogue and [...] | 2004-08-17 22:09:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS2644 | CHAVEZ CAMPAIGNS ON THE PUBLIC'S DIME IN REFERENDUM [...] (C) Using state finances and manipulation of the structure established in the media accords, President Hugo Chavez mounted a much more impressive campaign in the referendum than the opposition. Pro-government advertising and propaganda filled Venezuelan newspapers, overshadowing the little op [...] | 2004-08-18 14:01:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRC PHUM KDEM EPET VE |
04CARACAS2655 | VENEZUELAN REFERENDUM UPDATE: AUGUST 18 [...] No summary [...] | 2004-08-18 20:45:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2668 | VENEZUELAN BUSINESS ADJUSTS TO CHAVEZ'S VICTORY [...] (C) Venezuela's business community has absorbed the unpleasant news of Chavez's referendum victory. Albis Munoz, President of umbrella business confederation FEDECAMARAS, made a relatively conciliatory public statement (even as the opposition Democratic Coordinating Committee, with which it [...] | 2004-08-19 19:47:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2669 | OPPOSITION ALLEGES ELECTRONIC FRAUD IN REFERENDUM [...] (U) Miranda state Gov. Enrique Mendoza told reporters August 18 the opposition would not participate in the audit of election results agreed to by the National Electoral Council (CNE) at the suggestion of the OAS and Carter Center. The Coordinadora instead wants an audit that would look at th [...] | 2004-08-19 19:50:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2671 | VENEZUELA: WHY CHAVEZ "WON" [...] (C) The Organization of American States (OAS) and Carter Center are auditing ballots now, but assuming that charges of electoral fraud are not substantiated, one must ask what happened and how Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez won the August 15 recall referendum by such a large margin. Chavez [...] | 2004-08-19 21:05:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2687 | GOV. ROJAS BRIEFS AMBASSADOR ON FRAUD CHARGES [...] (C) Bolivar State Gov. Antonio Rojas Suarez and Bolivar state legal advisor Juan Jose Rendon briefed the Ambassador August 19 on the allegations of fraud uncovered by Rendon in the August 15 presidential recall referendum. Rojas said the opposition has found 1920 voting machines with what they [...] | 2004-08-20 19:36:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2688 | MENDOZA TO TAKE FRAUD ARGUMENT BEFORE [...] (C) Miranda State Gov. Enrique Mendoza told the Ambassador August 20 that the opposition had formed a commission to compile the "evidence" supporting the allegations that the GoV committed fraud in the August 15 referendum. Personally convinced that the GoV committed fraud, he said the Coor [...] | 2004-08-20 19:41:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2689 | REFERENDUM UPDATE: AUGUST 19-20 [...] (C) On August 17 political police service DISIP and local police authorities arrested the three men suspected of shooting on demonstrators in Altamira on August 16. On August 18 and 19, the government heavily criticized the opposition's latest claims of fraud and calls for public protests an [...] | 2004-08-20 20:42:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2692 | CORRECTED COPY: REFERENDUM UPDATE: AUGUST 19-20 [...] (C) On August 17 political police service DISIP and local police authorities arrested the three men suspected of shooting on demonstrators in Altamira on August 16. On August 18 and 19, the government heavily criticized the opposition's latest claims of fraud and calls for public protests an [...] | 2004-08-23 13:59:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2695 | LABOR LEADERS WRESTLE TO MOVE PAST REFERENDUM [...] (C) Organized labor is willing to test the GOV's call for dialogue in post-referendum Venezuela, but doubts President Hugo Chavez's sincerity. Venezuelan Workers Confederation (CTV) Secretary General Manuel Cova believes his organization needs to re-focus on issues affecting the daily lives of [...] | 2004-08-23 20:13:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS2702 | VENEZUELAN MAYOR CARPRILES (STILL) HELD FOR TRIAL [...] (U) A Caracas judge ruled August 18 that Baruta Mayor Henrique Capriles should stand trial for the events at the Cuban Embassy on April 12, 2002. The judge also ruled that Capriles should remain in jail. PolOff attempted to attend the Capriles trial August 17, but was denied entry as was the [...] | 2004-08-24 20:19:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KJUS VE |
04CARACAS2705 | ELECTORAL COUNCIL'S SECOND AUDIT BACKS AUGUST 15 [...] (C) Carter Center and OAS representatives found no merit in the arguments made by the opposition that the GoV committed fraud in the August 15 presidential recall referendum. OAS/TCC reps are convinced the audit of 150 voting tables completed on August 21 was sufficient to conclude that the a [...] | 2004-08-25 14:41:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS2725 | MVR DEPUTIES ESPOUSE RECONCILIATION [...] (C) Fifth Republic Movement (MVR) Deputies William Lara (Miranda) and Jose Khan (Caracas),told poloffs August 23 that they hoped to devise a plan for reconciliation in the National Assembly. Lara and Khan had avoided EMbassy contact for almost a year. They also expressed objections to post [...] | 2004-08-27 12:06:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS2726 | CHAVEZ INCREASING HIS INFLUENCE [...] (U) President Hugo Chavez announced his intentions to deepen the "revolution" and disqualified the Coordinadora Democratica as a legitimate political opposition during his 5-hour television show "Alo, Presidente" on August 22. During the program, Chavez also designated Andres Izarra, the Press [...] | 2004-08-27 12:22:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2728 | VENEZUELA MACROECONOMIC UPDATE [...] (U) Venezuela's most recently published economic indicators illustrate an economic rebound based on increasing government expenditures. Levels of new foreign direct investment remain low. A strong international reserves position and high average oil prices have contributed to reduce the cou [...] | 2004-08-27 13:38:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2730 | OPPOSITION REFERENDUM FRAUD THEORIES [...] (C) The Venezuelan opposition has developed theories -- though no solid evidence -- of alleged fraud and irregularities in the August 15 presidential recall referendum. Among the theories, mathematicians have proposed that the election results were manipulated using a pre-determined percentag [...] | 2004-08-27 16:39:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS2734 | ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE REQUIRES DIP NOTE FOR [...] (C) Alis Boscan, Director of the Office for the Protection of Fundamental Rights at the Attorney General's office, told PolOff August 26 that the Embassy would have to make a formal request to the Attorney General to get information for the Human Rights Report. Boscan promised to begin compil [...] | 2004-08-27 18:03:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL VE |
04CARACAS2739 | VENEZUELA: EXTRA HEAVY CRUDE-BEST CHANCE FOR [...] (C) The prospects for additional Venezuelan oil production in the short term come from the four projects that produce synthetic crude from Venezuela's abundant resources of extra heavy crude. We calculate that Venezuela's syncrude production could increase to as much as 634,000 b/d by the en [...] | 2004-08-30 14:42:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET VE |
04CARACAS2740 | EXXONMOBIL: STAYING THE COURSE IN VENEZUELA [...] (C) With the August 12 signing of the Preliminary Development Agreement (PDA) for a giant petrochemical project, ExxonMobil finally looks to have overcome the disappointment of being shut out of the Mariscal Sucre natural gas project in 2002. Econoff met July 22 with ExxonMobil de Venezuela P [...] | 2004-08-30 14:43:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET ENRG VE |
04CARACAS2754 | CHAVEZ REVIVES NEW MEDIA LAW - VENEZUELAN PRESS [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez, exulting in the officially announced overwhelming victory for the NO vote in the presidential recall referendum revived the idea of the media law on August 22 during his regular &Alo Presidente8 television program. The law was proposed in January 2003. Despite [...] | 2004-08-30 17:58:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM KPAO PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS2758 | REGIONAL AND MAYORAL ELECTIONS [...] (U) Venezuela's gubernatorial and mayoral elections are scheduled for September 26, but National Electoral Council (CNE) director Jorge Rodriguez told reporters on August 23 that the CNE is discussing changing the date of the regional elections for logistical reasons. President Hugo Chavez's [...] | 2004-08-30 21:01:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2759 | OPPOSITION DIGS IN FOR THE LONG FIGHT [...] (C) The Coordinadora Democratica plans to contest the National Electoral Council's (CNE) certified results announced August 26 that President Hugo Chavez won the August 15 recall referendum. The Coordinadora is working toward documenting its case. A Coordinadora commission headed by constitu [...] | 2004-08-30 21:05:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS2807 | ROCKY START TO BUSINESS-GOVERNMENT DIALOGUE [...] (C) The GOV rejected talks with umbrella private sector organization FEDECAMARAS after the latter issued a "Business Manifesto" which cast doubts on the results of the recent referendum on President Chavez's tenure in office and sharply criticized other GOV policies. Interior Minister Chacon [...] | 2004-09-08 12:04:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2808 | VENEZUELAN MAYOR RELEASED FROM PRISON [...] (C) Judge Dayva Soto Vallenilla released Baruta Mayor Henrique Capriles from pre-trial detention September 6, following a defense motion on September 2. Capriles must appear before the court every 15 days, remain in Venezuela, and is not allowed to make public comments on the case against him [...] | 2004-09-08 13:08:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KJUS PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2811 | GOV DENIES LABOR CLAIMS OF EX-OIL WORKERS [...] (C) Venezuela's Minister of Labor rejected on August 31 a petition to reinstate 14,000 ex-workers of Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) fired in the wake of the December 2002 - January 2003 national strike. Minister of Labor Maria Cristina Iglesias ruled the dismissals do not meet the legal defin [...] | 2004-09-08 13:27:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB PGOV PHUM ENRG VE |
04CARACAS2812 | CHAVEZ CALLS FOR LAND REFORM ON "ALO PRESIDENTE" [...] Agriculture was the main topic of President Chavez's 202nd "Alo, Presidente" which aired August 29. Indeed his choice of a rural town, El Socorro, in the state of Guarico helped to set the stage. During this event, as in recent speeches before the National Assembly and other venues, he calle [...] | 2004-09-08 13:34:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO PGOV OPRC KIRC VE |
04CARACAS2814 | GOV TAKES FULL CREDIT FOR GDP GROWTH, BUT STILL [...] (SBU) First half GDP statistics show a 23.1% increase over last year, which also represents the first improvement over 2002 figures. Second quarter growth was 13.6%, led by non-petroleum growth of 15.0%. Considering these factors, the GOV has revised its 2004 growth estimate from 6 to 12%. M [...] | 2004-09-08 16:28:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS2817 | VENEZUELA'S COORDINADORA DEMOCRATICA AT A [...] (C) Venezuela's Coordinadora Democratica is hobbling after its defeat in the presidential recall referendum August 15. Some Chavez opponents blame the Coordinadora's leadership for either losing the referendum via an inept campaign or for not preventing the alleged fraud. The dozens of opposit [...] | 2004-09-08 20:41:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS2840 | VENEZUELA: OPPOSITION FIGHTS BACK ON FRAUD [...] (C) Opponents of President Hugo Chavez put forward their preliminary findings of the investigation of alleged fraud during the August 15 presidential recall referendum September 8. Lawyer Tulio Alvarez, presenting a 70-page preliminary report, noted irregularities in all stages of the referen [...] | 2004-09-09 20:06:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS2885 | VENEZUELAN REGIONAL ELECTIONS: WHAT SHOULD BE AND [...] (C) Venezuela's gubernatorial, mayoral, and regional deputy elections, scheduled for October 31, are cloaked in uncertainty with little more than six weeks before the date. Procedurally, there are questions regarding who the members of the regional and municipal electoral boards will be, if th [...] | 2004-09-16 11:24:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS2902 | VENEZUELA ASKS FOR U.S. SUPPORT TO WIN ECOSOC SEAT [...] No summary [...] | 2004-09-17 13:04:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PINR PREL VZ |
04CARACAS2903 | OAS REFERENDUM WRAP-UP GETS SPUN BY BOTH SIDES [...] (C) The report issued by OAS Secretary General (SYG) Cesar Gaviria on September 13 gave ammunition to both the GOV and the opposition regarding the question of fraud in the August 15 presidential recall referendum. The GOV played up Gaviria's admonitions to the opposition to begin to accept t [...] | 2004-09-17 13:17:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE OAS |
04CARACAS2907 | THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET - THERE OUGHTTA BE A LAW [...] No summary [...] | 2004-09-17 16:17:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS291 | DAS DESHAZO'S MEETING WITH CNE PRESIDENT [...] (C) WHA DAS Peter DeShazo and the Ambassador discussed the verification process for the recall referendum with National Electoral Council (CNE) President Francisco Carrasquero and CNE Secretary General William Pacheco January 22. Carrasquero assured DeShazo that the process is on track to be c [...] | 2004-01-27 18:49:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL VE |
04CARACAS292 | DAS DESHAZO'S MEETING CHIEF JUSTICE RINCON [...] (C) DURING A JANUARY 22, 2004 MEETING WITH SUPREME COURT (TSJ) CHIEF JUSTICE IVAN RINCON, WHA DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY PETER DESHAZO NOTED THAT THE USG REMAINS VITALLY SIPDIS INTERESTED IN A DEMOCRATIC AND ELECTORAL PROCESS, SUPPORTS THE EFFORTS OF THE CARTER CENTER AND THE ORGANIZATION O [...] | 2004-01-27 19:33:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV VE OAS |
04CARACAS293 | WHA/DAS PETER DESHAZO,S 1/22/04 MEETING WITH [...] (C) During a January 22, 2004 meeting with Supreme Court (TSJ) Chief Justice Ivan Rincon, WHA Deputy Assistant Secretary Peter DeShazo noted that the USG remains vitally SIPDIS interested in a democratic and electoral process, supports the efforts of the Carter Center and the Organizatio [...] | 2004-01-27 19:34:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV VE |
04CARACAS294 | DAS DESHAZO MEETING WITH FOREIGN MINISTER CHADERTON [...] (C) On January 22, WHA DAS Peter DeShazo and Ambassador met with Foreign Minister Roy Chaderton. In addition to the Venezuelan recall referendum process, they discussed: DeShazo's speech to the Venezuelan American Chamber of Commerce, recent comments by USG officials regarding Venezuela, GOV- [...] | 2004-01-27 19:50:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS295 | DAS DESHAZO'S MEETING WITH G-5 OPPOSTION LEADERS [...] (C) On January 22, WHA DAS Peter DeShazo gave opposition leaders (4 of 5 of the members of the so-called G-5) a positive assessment of his meetings earlier in the day with officials from the OAS, Carter Center, and UNDP, and of their ability to monitor the signature verification process in the [...] | 2004-01-27 20:25:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV VE OAS |
04CARACAS3013 | COORDINADORA LOSES SOME LESSER LIGHTS [...] (C) Five groups nominally associated with the Venezuelan opposition -- including political parties Alianza Bravo Pueblo and Causa R -- announced their separation from the Coordinadora Democratica on September 21. The groups criticized the Coordinadora's handling of the referendum campaign an [...] | 2004-09-24 12:54:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS3015 | TAX COLLECTION PLAN: A SERIOUS EFFORT OR [...] (SBU) The head of the Venezuelan tax authority (SENIAT) announced on September 7 that the GOV's goal for 2005 tax collections (including taxes on oil revenues) would be 56% higher than the 2004 goal. This comes at a time when tax collection methods, particularly a program called "Plan Zero Ev [...] | 2004-09-24 15:15:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS3025 | MFA RESPONDS TO TIP DEMARCHE [...] (C) Responding to reftel demarche regarding trafficking in persons, September 21, Venezuelan MFA officials insisted that the TIP report had not accurately assessed Venezuela's anti-trafficking initiatives under its treaty obligations with the United Nations. PolOff reiterated USG reasoning be [...] | 2004-09-24 18:50:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM KWMN VE |
04CARACAS3031 | AIRCRAFT CONTRACT RUMORS RESURFACE (U) [...] (C) A 10 September newswire reporting Venezuela's alleged interest in procuring Russian jet fighters has renewed media speculation that the two countries may be close to an arms deal. Chavez has already purchased Russian helicopters, according to DAO and press reports. Although he is seeki [...] | 2004-09-27 11:40:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV VE |
04CARACAS3032 | GOV MAKES BORDER AMBUSH LATEST CRISIS [...] (C) Five Venezuelan soldiers and an oil worker died on September 17 near the Colombian border in an apparent ambush by unidentified irregular forces. Speculation about the identity of the attackers includes the range of armed groups operating in the area. President Hugo Chavez deployed add [...] | 2004-09-27 11:42:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV MOPS PTER VE |
04CARACAS3050 | VENEZUELAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY EYES AGENDA [...] (C) Venezuela's National Assembly (AN) reportedly plans to tackle four controversial bills in its new session that started September 17. The Assembly's pro-Chavez majority will push to pass controversial laws on the media, a national police force, reform of the penal code, and the organization [...] | 2004-09-28 20:15:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS3070 | VENEZUELA: CNE DISCARDS FRAUD CHALLENGES [...] (U) Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) found the Coordinadora Democratica's challenge of the results of the August 15 recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez inadmissible on September 23 and said the matter should be taken to the Supreme Court instead. CNE Director Jorge Rod [...] | 2004-09-30 12:22:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS3077 | PRIMERO JUSTICIA JUMPS FROM THE SINKING OPPOSITION [...] (C) Venezuelan opposition party Primero Justicia withdrew from the Coordinadora Democratica September 24. Lines of cooperation among groups opposed to President Hugo Chavez have been reduced to documenting fraud claims related to the referendum, negotiating with the National Electoral Council [...] | 2004-10-01 11:55:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS310 | SIGNATURE CHECK TURNS INTO SAUSAGE FACTORY [...] (C) The verification process of the signatures in support of recall votes against President Hugo Chavez and various National Assembly deputies proceeds at a snail's pace at the National Electoral Council (CNE). The CNE board initially proposed restricting the access of international observers [...] | 2004-01-28 18:38:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL VE |
04CARACAS3110 | PRESSURE ON CENTRAL BANK INCREASES ON THREE FRONTS [...] (C) The GOV has renewed pressure on the Venezuelan Central Bank (BCV),by again demanding a large sum of money. It asserts the BCV owes more than USD 2 billion from improperly accounting for foreign exchange profits. While the BCV has resisted this demand, it may be caving in another area. I [...] | 2004-10-05 11:17:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS3116 | AMBASSADOR'S PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS TO FM [...] (U) Ambassador, accompanied by DCM, presented copies of his credentials to Foreign Minister Perez late afternoon Oct. Â [...] | 2004-10-05 12:08:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV VE |
04CARACAS312 | CARTER VISITS VENEZUELA TO OBSERVE REFERENDUM [...] (C) From January 25-27, former President Jimmy Carter visited Venezuela to observe the referendum process and meet with the National Election Commission (CNE),Organization of American States, the National Assembly (AN),the Supreme Court, the Group of Friend's ambassadors, business leaders, p [...] | 2004-01-28 20:58:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS3124 | GOV EFFORTS TO COMBAT TIPS [...] (C) Venezuela's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) chairs a 22-person interdepartmental working group that meets approximately once a month to coordinate efforts to combat trafficking in persons. Representatives from the MFA and the Ministry of Interior and Justice (MIJ) told Poloff on Septemb [...] | 2004-10-05 18:44:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM KWMN VE |
04CARACAS3125 | TOBACCO FIRMS COMPLAIN OF CIGARETTE SMUGGLING FROM [...] (SBU) SUMMARY On October 1, Economic and Commercial Counselors met with representatives of Philip Morris and British-American Tobacco, the two largest cigarette companies in Venezuela, who raised the impact of contraband cigarettes in the domestic Venezuelan market. The particular focus was on [...] | 2004-10-05 19:57:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD KIPR PGOV VE |
04CARACAS3156 | ARDENT PRO-CHAVEZ DAILY GIVES GUARDED WELCOME AND [...] The regular "Stumbling Block" column published under the pseudonym "Marciano" in the very pro-Chavez daily DIARIO VEA, offered both a guarded welcome and a warning to Ambassador Brownfield. "Martian" noted that Ambassador Brownfield seemed to be bringing a new approach based on mutual respect [...] | 2004-10-13 14:37:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO PGOV OPRC PREL VE |
04CARACAS3164 | LABOR STRUGGLES AMID THE BOLIVARIAN REVOLUTION [...] (C) The assimilation of organized labor into the Bolivarian Revolution continues to elude supporters of President Hugo Chavez. Two rival labor confederations -- the anti-Chavez Venezuela Workers Confederation (CTV) and the pro-Chavez National Workers Union (UNT) -- plan to hold elections in e [...] | 2004-10-13 19:39:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ELAB PHUM VE KEDEM |
04CARACAS3173 | RUMORS STILL SPINNING ON APURE AMBUSH [...] (C) Summary: The media has continued to report on the killing of a PDVSA engineer and five soldiers in Apure State. The opposition and the Colombian Government continue to fault the government for complicity in border violence. The GOV and its supporters have blamed the United States and [...] | 2004-10-14 16:01:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV MOPS VE |
04CARACAS3203 | AMBASSADOR'S PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS [...] (C) I presented my credentials to President Hugo Chavez October 15. We were a package of four ambassadors (Barbados, US, Norway, South Korea) handled in assembly line fashion. The President devoted roughly 15 minutes per country separately. Each ambassador took DCM plus four. In my case, t [...] | 2004-10-18 20:14:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL VE |
04CARACAS3213 | COLUMNIST IN PRO-CHAVEZ DAILY CALLS RESIGNATION OF [...] The regular "Stumbling Block" column published under the pseudonym "Marciano" in the very pro-Chavez daily DIARIO VEA, bitterly attacked the resignation of Costa Rican Secretary General Miguel Angel Rodriguez. It described this SIPDIS as a U.S. coup to maintain control of the OAS. The Sal [...] | 2004-10-18 21:15:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO PGOV OPRC PREL VE |
04CARACAS3215 | FRANCISCO ARIAS CARDENAS' OUTLOOK ON CHAVEZ AND [...] (C) Former Zulia State Governor, Francisco Arias Cardenas, told the Ambassador on October 14 that President Hugo Chavez's antagonism had served Chavez well in the past, but he was now looking to improve relations with the U.S. Arias asserted that the President would not let the differences es [...] | 2004-10-19 19:49:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM VE |
04CARACAS3216 | VENEZUELA: REVOLUTIONARY CONTRADICTIONS IN LABOR [...] (C) Supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez are stuck on how to roll back market-oriented reforms of worker benefits from the 1990s. The 1999 Constitution reversed changes to the severance, health care, pensions, and housing regimes, replacing them with impractical and, so far, impossi [...] | 2004-10-19 21:31:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS3219 | VENEZUELAN PROSECUTOR INVESTIGATES 400 FOR [...] (U) Venezuelan prosecutor Danilo Anderson took testimony from three media executives at the beginning of October as part of his investigation into the events of April 12-13, 2002. Anderson announced on September 17 that he was reopening the investigation of persons who had supported the inte [...] | 2004-10-19 21:53:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KJUS VE |
04CARACAS3220 | COPEI PRESIDENT FAVORS US/GOV RAPPROCHEMENT [...] (C) Summary: Christian Democratic Party (COPEI) president Eduardo Fernandez offered the Ambassador on October 14 his views on US policy in Venezuela and on best strategies to implement it. Fernandez supported current efforts to improve the bilateral relationship and urged respect for Venez [...] | 2004-10-20 11:27:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR VE |
04CARACAS3230 | VENEZUELAN-RUSSIAN COOPERATION [...] (C) Venezuelan Vice-President Jose Vicente Rangel led a delegation to Moscow from October 2-6 for the first meeting of the High-Level Russo-Venezuelan Intergovernmental Commission (CIAN). Rangel discussed joint efforts to combat international terrorism and military-technological cooperation w [...] | 2004-10-20 20:16:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ETRD VE |
04CARACAS3251 | BLAZE DESTROYS GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN TALLEST SOUTH [...] (U) A fire ripped through 20 floors of the East Tower of Caracas' Parque Central complex the night of October 16. No one was killed, but the top third of the building was completely burned and the tower is unusable. Finger pointing to place the blame for the fire began immediately between the [...] | 2004-10-21 18:26:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EAIR EAGR PGOV VE |
04CARACAS3270 | CONVICTIONS IN USON AND TACHIRA CASES [...] (U) On October 13 a court in Tachira State convicted eight persons on charges of rebellion in relation to the events of April 2002. The court found on of the original nine defendants not guilty, and five of them are free one probation. On October 11 a military court convicted retired Army Gen [...] | 2004-10-22 20:33:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KJUS VE |
04CARACAS3271 | VENEZUELAN AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES BILATERAL AGENDA [...] (C) Venezuela's Ambassador to the U.S. Bernardo Alvarez_ told us October 18 he is amenable to meeting with National Endowment for Democracy (NED) President Carl Gershman to discuss GoV perspectives regarding NED support to NGOs such as Sumate. In a breakfast meeting with Ambassador and PolC [...] | 2004-10-22 20:33:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS3273 | LEAD EDITORIAL IN PRO-CHAVEZ DAILY ATTACKS `FRAUD' [...] The lead editorial in the 10/22 edition of very pro- Chavez daily DIARIO VEA, signed by editor Guillermo Garcia Ponce, accused the followers of President Bush of having committed massive voter fraud in Florida in 2000. It says that the close 2004 race is raising fears that the Bush campaign w [...] | 2004-10-22 21:13:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO PGOV OPRC PROP VE |
04CARACAS329 | DAS DESHAZO'S MEETING WITH CHIEF JUSTICE RINCON [...] (C) During a January 22, 2004 meeting with Supreme Court (TSJ) Chief Justice Ivan Rincon, WHA Deputy Assistant Secretary Peter DeShazo noted that the USG remains vitally SIPDIS interested in a democratic and electoral process, supports the efforts of the Carter Center and the Organization o [...] | 2004-01-29 20:45:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV VE OAS |
04CARACAS3291 | OPPOSITION FRAUD UPDATE HITS DATA TRANSMISSION, [...] (C) The Coordinadora Democratica issued on October 12 its second report on alleged electoral fraud in the August 15 recall referendum on President Hugo Chavez. Using statistical analyses, the report alleges that some 2.5 million votes were manipulated during the referendum to reverse what sho [...] | 2004-10-25 20:38:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS3292 | VENEZUELA'S REGIONAL ELECTIONS: COMING TO AN END [...] (C) National Electoral Council (CNE) President Francisco Carrasquero declared October 19 that only 2.1% of Venezuelan voters registered did not have addresses. Opposition leaders, who had alleged that more than a million persons did not meet the legal requirement of having an address, challen [...] | 2004-10-25 20:59:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS3340 | CHALK ONE FOR CHAVEZ IN ANZOATEGUI [...] (C) Candidates are battling against voter apathy for gubernatorial, mayoral, and state legislative positions in the oil-rich Anzoategui State, currently controlled by the opposition. The administration's candidate, National Assembly deputy Tarek William Saab, is close to President Hugo Chav [...] | 2004-10-28 19:39:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS3341 | EFFICIENCY TRUMPS POLITICS IN VENEZUELA'S BOLIVAR [...] (C) Both sides in the race for governor of Bolivar State are confident their candidate will be elected in the regional elections on October 31. Efficiency, rather than politics, is the main theme in the campaign, and both campaigns hope to draw supporters away from their opponent. The GoV wa [...] | 2004-10-28 19:42:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS3342 | VENEZUELA REGIONAL ELECTIONS: VIEWS FROM CARABOBO [...] (C) Political party representatives in Carabobo State each told Poloff October 21 that polls showed its candidate in the lead in the gubernatorial race, and in a majority of mayoral races. Chavez's Fifth Republic Movement (MVR) representative asserted that Chavista candidates would sweep all t [...] | 2004-10-28 19:47:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS3361 | VENEZUELA'S REGIONAL VOTE: PROCESS BODES [...] (C) The voting process for Venezuela's October 31 regional elections is complicated. In a process akin to the recall referendum, voters will elect governors, mayors, and state legislators. Screens will have dozens of options, which are organized by political parties rather than by races. [...] | 2004-10-29 19:14:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS3365 | CONTENT LAW FRIGHTENS MEDIA AND FREE SPEECH [...] (U) Pushing to advance the "revolution" following the favorable outcome of the recall referendum, the GoV has made good on its promise to seek enactment of the "Law of Social Responsibility in Radio and Television." The private media insist it's a significant step toward the muzzling of free e [...] | 2004-10-29 21:30:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KDEM PGOV VE |
04CARACAS3368 | CODEL BALLENGER RAISES SUMATE CASE [...] (C) Congressman Cass Ballenger and three House staffers visited Caracas October 28-29 with the principal objective of raising the case of the four representatives of the NGO Sumate, who have been charged with treason for supporting the recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez. To this [...] | 2004-10-29 22:01:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS3369 | SUPREME COURT PRESIDENT URGES WORLD BANK LOANS [...] (C) Ivan Rincon Urdaneta, President of Venezuela's Supreme Court (TSJ),touted past judicial cooperation with the U.S. and World Bank in a meeting with the Ambassador October 25. Rincon suggested it would be in Venezuelan and U.S. interest for the World Bank to approve the $45 million loan for [...] | 2004-10-29 22:44:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM KJUS VE |
04CARACAS337 | PRIVATE SECTOR OIL PRODUCTION [...] Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly. ------ SUMMARY ------- 2. (SBU) A document prepared following a December luncheon in which private sector company representatives shared average monthly production numbers for both oil and gas production from their fields has g [...] | 2004-01-29 22:31:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EPET ECON VE |
04CARACAS3373 | AMBASSADOR'S TRAVEL TO MARACAIBO [...] (C) The Ambassador visited Maracaibo, Zulia State, October 26-27, to meet with U.S. organizations, local leaders, and the press. He called on Governor Manuel Rosales, Maracaibo Mayor Giancarlo DiMartino, and San Francisco Mayor Saady Bijani. The Ambassador attended a lunch with business lead [...] | 2004-11-01 12:55:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS3374 | HENRIQUE SALAS ROEMER SHRUGS OFF STRATEGY [...] (C) Proyecto Venezuela leader Henrique Salas Roemer said that the government would win by fraud in the regional elections during a short courtesy call on the Ambassador at the Residence October 22. Salas Roemer criticized the Carter Center for legitimizing what he described as a fraudulent [...] | 2004-11-01 12:58:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV VE |
04CARACAS338 | CHAVEZ CARRIES BOLIVIA'S WATER IN CHILE SEA SCUFFLE [...] (C) Three months ago President Hugo Chavez began a rhetorical offensive in support of Bolivia's claim to its historic Pacific coastline, seized by Chile in 1879. Chavez's campaign has made international headlines, and resulted in Venezuela and Chile recalling their ambassadors for consultation [...] | 2004-01-30 12:43:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL VE |
04CARACAS3382 | CHAVISTAS WIN BIG IN REGIONAL ELECTIONS [...] (U) Pro-Chavez candidates won 20 of 22 governorships and the mayoralty of metropolitan Caracas in the October 31 regional elections. Governors Enrique Mendoza (Miranda State) and Henrique Salas Feo (Carabobo) trailed their Chavista opponents and challenged the accuracy of the preliminary resu [...] | 2004-11-01 16:25:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS3395 | VENEZUELAN SUPREME COURT INTERVENES IN SUMATE CASE [...] (C) The Penal Chamber of the Venezuelan Supreme Court November 2 suspended the case against four members of the NGO SUMATE facing charges of conspiracy to overthrow the government. The Penal Chamber agreed to investigate whether the crime the prosecutor alleges that the Sumate representative [...] | 2004-11-02 20:06:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KJUS VE |
04CARACAS3426 | BOSTON GROUP PLANS DECEMBER MEETING [...] (U) During a meeting at the Ambassador's residence on October 28, Rep. Cass Ballenger (R-NC) accepted an invitation from Venezuelan National Assembly deputies to return to Venezuela for a plenary Boston Group meeting in early December. The legislators also discussed a potential National Ass [...] | 2004-11-05 17:42:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS3431 | VENEZUELA JUDICIAL UPDATE: CASES DISMISSED, NEW [...] (C) A Caracas Appeals Court overturned the conviction of National Guard Gen. Carlos Alfonzo Martinez on November 1 on grounds that the actions alleged by the prosecutor did not constitute a crime under Venezuela's Penal Code. The same court, citing similar grounds, dismissed the charges agai [...] | 2004-11-05 20:08:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KJUS VE |
04CARACAS3432 | RED MAP IN VENEZUELA: WHAT CHAVEZ WON IN THE [...] (C) Pro-Chavez mayors won 270 of 337 municipalities in the October 31 regional elections, up from the previously held 115. The National Electoral Council settled the one remaining dispute in the governors' races November 4, giving the victory to the pro-Chavez challenger in Carabobo State. I [...] | 2004-11-05 20:24:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS3434 | A VIEW OF VENEZUELAN ARMS PURCHASES FROM RUSSIA [...] (C) According to Jose Rafael Gomez, a former Presidential staffer who participated in Vice President Rangel's recent trip to Moscow, the Venezuelan-Russian deal for MI-17 helicopters is not yet final because of financial issues, and might go forward initially at least with a limited number. [...] | 2004-11-05 21:36:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PARM PREL ETRD VE RU |
04CARACAS3501 | AMBASSADOR'S TOUR D'HORIZON WITH FINANCE MINISTER [...] (C) At a November 10 luncheon with the Ambassador, Finance Minister Nobrega touched on a range of issues including: Eximbank lending (he'd like it to return, but downplays the impact of its absence); the GOV's surprise increase in petroleum royalties (he admits it was badly handled); Minist [...] | 2004-11-15 17:13:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV PREL VE |
04CARACAS3506 | CHAVISTAS AT THE HELM IN A SEA OF RED [...] (C) October and August electoral successes have renewed President Hugo Chavez's mandate, placed his loyalists in most of the governorships and key mayoralties, and positioned the Chavista movement to capture an overwhelming majority in next year's National Assembly elections. Chavez supporters [...] | 2004-11-16 14:49:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS3536 | LEVIATHAN'S RETURN: CHAVEZ'S NEW ECONOMIC [...] (C) With his pockets full of petro-dollars, Chavez has created new Ministries of Food, Housing, Popular Economy, and Development Finance. He is also moving forward with the creation of a new state airline and a telecommunications enterprise. The establishment of the Ministries of Food and [...] | 2004-11-16 20:07:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PGOV VE |
04CARACAS3542 | SHATTERED OPPOSITION SHORT ON STRATEGY [...] (C) Venezuela's Coordinadora Democratica, the amalgamation of opponents to President Hugo Chavez that had begun to disintegrate before the regional elections on October 31, has been deemed dead by opposition parties and Chavez supporters alike. Many opposition members, who tend to blame th [...] | 2004-11-17 13:49:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS3575 | CAUTION: THE ROAD IS WET - TREASURY REP GETS VIEWS [...] (C) U.S. Treasury representative for South America Mathew Haarsager visited Caracas from November 2-5, and in a series of meetings with the Venezuelan private and public sectors was treated to a variety of perspectives. GOV officials asserted that, with the strike, presidential referendum, and [...] | 2004-11-19 18:10:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS3577 | KILLING OF POLITICAL PROSECUTOR [...] (C) Venezuelan prosecutor Danilo Anderson was killed the night of November 18, according to press reports and the GoV, as he traveled home in his personal vehicle. More than a dozen GoV officials and government supporters, among them Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel, went to the site of th [...] | 2004-11-19 18:39:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS3583 | NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRESSES FORWARD ON MEDIA LAW [...] (C) Veneuela's National Assembly approved 17 more articles in sessions on November 9, 11, 15, and 18. A top priority of President Hugo Chavez, the GoV seeks to complete the legislation by December 15. Beginning November 8, opposition parties withdrew from negotiations begun on September 23 with [...] | 2004-11-19 20:21:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KDEM PGOV VE |
04CARACAS3584 | "HEGEMONY IS A CHALLENGE:" CHAVISTA LEADER VIEWS [...] (C) Summary: Chavez supporter and Patria Para Todos (PPT) secgen Jose Albornoz talked with DCM November 18 about impending cabinet changes, policy challenges for Chavez and the MVR party, and potential to improve bilateral relations. PPT accepts that party stalwart Ali Rodriguez will leave [...] | 2004-11-19 20:45:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL EPET PGOV PHUM ENRG VE |
04CARACAS3588 | VENEZUELAN POSITION ON 3RD COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS [...] No summary [...] | 2004-11-22 11:40:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL VE |
04CARACAS3617 | TRANSPARENCY OF BUDGETS/MILITARY SPENDING [...] This message responds to action request (REFTEL). 2. Q: How (or are) military expenditures audited? A: Each branch of the Venezuelan Armed Forces (army, navy, air force, and national guard) has its own budget and planning office. The services submit proposed expenses and acquisit [...] | 2004-11-23 18:26:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | EFIN EAID MARR VE |
04CARACAS3618 | SUMATE CASE TO GO FORWARD, BUT SLOWLY [...] (C) A ruling by the Penal Chamber of Venezuela's Supreme Court November 16 is likely to result in a long delay in the case against the NGO Sumate. The Chamber's ruling requires the lower court to admit several pieces of evidence into the case prior to a preliminary hearing, including testimo [...] | 2004-11-23 18:34:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KJUS VE |
04CARACAS3622 | CHAVEZ LOOKING INSIDE AND OUT [...] (C) Fresh from electoral victories in August and October, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is deepening his Bolivarian Revolution with a new ten-point strategy. Chavez now plans to create a "new political infrastructure" that integrates social action groups and forces political parties to elec [...] | 2004-11-23 19:21:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS3624 | AMBASSADOR'S VISIT TO MARACAY [...] (U) The Ambassador visited Maracay, Aragua State, November 16, 2004 and met with the president of the Aragua State judges, the mayor, business leaders and the press. He also stopped by an agricultural laboratory that receives U.S. funding (despite the Ministry of Science and Technology declin [...] | 2004-11-23 20:35:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL VE |
04CARACAS363 | CHAVEZ CONTINUES FIGHT WITH CENTRAL BANK AT A [...] (C) President Chavez has continued his campaign against the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV),on January 18 characterizing the Bank's international reserve holdings as "excessive." In a speech January 28, BCV Director Domingo Maza Zavala held firm, saying the reserves were necessary to maintai [...] | 2004-02-02 16:54:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS3638 | Ramirez_ TAKES OVER PDVSA WHILE KEEPING ENERGY [...] (C) Minister of Energy and Mines Rafael Ramirez_ has been sworn in as President of state oil corporation PDVSA, while maintaining his ministerial position. Energy experts who have opposed Chavez publicly assert that his appointment marks the definitive end to PDVSA as a commercial (vice poli [...] | 2004-11-24 19:48:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ENRG PGOV VE |
04CARACAS3639 | "RE-DISCOVERING" THE OPPOSITION [...] (C) Movement to Socialism President Felipe Mujica believes a first step for the Venezuelan opposition is to wage a "campaign of rights," perhaps beginning with a referendum to overturn the soon-to-pass media content law. Additionally, the opposition must regain institutionality in the National [...] | 2004-11-24 20:10:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS366 | PDVSA POWER STRUGGLES: THE REVOLUTION DEVOURS ITS [...] (C) With street battles between opposing labor groups, mass protests to force the removal of managers, new allegations of corruption in internal product sales, and rumors of yet another new Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) board, January has demonstrated yet again the disarray in the Venezuelan [...] | 2004-02-02 18:46:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET ECON PGOV VE |
04CARACAS3677 | RESULTS OF JUDICIAL REFORM IN VENEZUELA: MOVING [...] (C) The administration of justice in Venezuela faces criticism on two principal grounds. The first is the claim, voiced by the political opposition, NGOs, judges, and the World Bank, that the justice system is not politically neutral, and that prosecutors and judges are acting according to [...] | 2004-11-29 12:20:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KJUS VE |
04CARACAS3679 | RECENT HISTORY OF JUDICIAL REFORM IN VENEZUELA [...] (C) Venezuela's judicial system, according to a variety of experts, suffers a number of structural flaws, including politicization of the courts and the shock waves of the switch to an adversarial court system. Judges, academics, and journalists concur that judicial reform has had mixed res [...] | 2004-11-29 12:43:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KJUS VE |
04CARACAS3686 | MICRO-LENDING BOOM - QUANTITY VS. QUALITY [...] (C) Micro-lending has long been a neglected area in Venezuela, though it is currently getting more attention than ever. Banks have been required since November 2002 to commit at least three percent of their credit portfolio to micro-lending, but the GOV is now taking more direct role through [...] | 2004-11-29 21:03:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS369 | VENEZUELAN GOVERNORS: ELECTIONS, POLLS, AND HEALTH [...] (C) President Chavez, though buoyed by the spread of benefits and end of year spending, will likely suffer a hard drop in popularity when the National Electoral Council (CNE) announces a referendum, a group of Venezuelan Governors told the Ambassador January 14. The four Governors (including [...] | 2004-02-02 20:12:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS3704 | VENEZUELAN POLICE RAID HEBREW CULTURAL CENTER [...] (U) Venezuelan police investigating the killing of prosecutor Danilo Anderson searched the Hebrew Club in Caracas November 29 for three hours. The search, which began at 6:30 a.m. and disrupted the arrival of 1,500 students to the school on the premises, turned up no evidence or weapons. L [...] | 2004-12-01 12:41:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KJUS KIRF VE |
04CARACAS3711 | VENEZUELA'S NEW FOREIGN MINISTER: ALI RODRIGUEZ [...] (U) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez swore in Ali Rodriguez Araque as Foreign Minister on November 21, replacing outgoing Minister Jesus Perez. Rodriguez was most recently president of the state-run oil company PDVSA. Rodriguez, who served one year as the Secretary General of OPEC, was a cong [...] | 2004-12-01 16:43:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR VE |
04CARACAS3715 | CHAVEZ-URIBE SUMMIT: ECONOMICS FOCUS WITH SECURITY [...] (C) Most Venezuelan press reports on the Chavez-Uribe summit in Colombia November 9 focused on security issues, especially Chavez's declaration that the GOV does not support the FARC. The joint declaration, on the other hand, avoided such topics, focusing almost completely on economic issues [...] | 2004-12-01 19:03:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ECON PINS ENRG ETRD VE |
04CARACAS3728 | GOV REQUESTS SUPPORT FOR CANDIDATE TO UN HUMAN [...] (U) In a Diplomatic Note dated November 11 and received in the Embassy December 2, Venezuela's Ministry of Foreign Affairs requests USG support for Venezuela's candidate to fill a seat on the UN Human Rights Committee. The note refers to the candidacy that Venezuela put forward in May 2004 [...] | 2004-12-03 15:29:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL VE USUN |
04CARACAS3745 | UPDATE ON ANDERSON INVESTIGATION [...] (U) Police investigating the assassination of Venezuelan prosecutor Danilo Anderson have killed two suspects, while a judge has ordered three former police officers (two brothers and their cousin),detained on charges of murder. Lawyers and family members allege that the three were tortured [...] | 2004-12-06 15:18:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PTER KJUS VE |
04CARACAS3747 | GROWTH IS NOT ENOUGH - HAND OVER THE CASH! [...] (C) Amidst good news on the economic front, the GOV's thirst for cash remains unslaked. Third quarter GDP grew 15.8% versus the same period in 2003, and the official unemployment figure for October was 13.7%, the lowest since 2001. However, the GOV's row with the Venezuelan Central Bank con [...] | 2004-12-06 18:53:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS3748 | AFTERSHOCKS OF VENEZUELAN PROSECUTOR'S KILLING [...] (U) At President Hugo Chavez's order, following the killing of prosecutor Danilo Anderson, Venezuela's National Defense Council November 23, began to define a GOV anti-terrorism strategy. Measures will include tighter border and communications security, and bodyguards for GOV officials. Th [...] | 2004-12-06 18:56:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM PGOV KJUS VE |
04CARACAS3779 | VENEZUELA: RESPONSE ON TITLE III OF CUBA LIBERTAD [...] (C) In response to tasking in ref a, Post sees no evidence that the GOV has undertaken policies or actions to advance democracy, human rights, or fundamental freedoms in Cuba over the last six months. President Hugo Chavez is a close ally of Fidel Castro and often praises Cuba as a "bastion of [...] | 2004-12-07 20:39:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ETTC VE CU |
04CARACAS3781 | VENEZUELA: POLICE OFFICIALS IN CUSTODY AFTER [...] (U) Venezuelan authorities took former Metropolitan Police commissioners Henry Vivas and Lazaro Forero into police custody on December 3, after the government of El Salvador refused their request for political asylum. The former police leaders sought asylum at the Salvadoran Embassy in Caraca [...] | 2004-12-08 14:40:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM VE OAS |
04CARACAS3788 | VENEVUELAN VICE PRESIDENT RANGEL ON BILATERAL [...] (C) Summary: The Ambassador met December 8 with Vice President Rangel to get a read on bilateral access. Stressing he would meet with GOV officials at whatever level the GOV determined, the Amb noted the relatively restricted current access to the GOV made it more difficult to address issue [...] | 2004-12-08 20:44:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL VE US |
04CARACAS3805 | VENEZUELA'S ATTORNEY GENERAL CHALLENGES APRIL 2002 [...] (U) Attorney General Isaias Rodriguez asked Venezuela's Supreme Court (TSJ) December 2 to overturn its decision which freed four alleged military leaders of the April 2002 events and rejected his request to try the officers for military rebellion. The case is important because it established [...] | 2004-12-09 19:09:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KJUS VE |
04CARACAS3806 | NEW MINISTER OF FINANCE - SAME AS THE OLD MINISTER [...] (C) On December 5 President Chavez announced that Finance Minister Tobias Nobrega would be replaced by Nelson Merentes, a former Minister of Finance and current Minister of Development Finance and President of the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BANDES). While Chavez gave n [...] | 2004-12-09 19:47:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS3817 | VISIT TO MASS MARKET AND BOLIVARIAN SCHOOL [...] (C) Caracas' El Coche food market is a blend of formal, informal, public and private economies. Accompanied by members of the NGO Asociacion Nina Madre (Child Mother Association, ANM),poloff visited the market December 7 to observe child labor conditions there. More than a dozen children ag [...] | 2004-12-10 19:38:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS3826 | CHAVEZ'S ANTI-IMPERIALIST MISSIONARY JOURNEY [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez visited Spain, Libya, Russia, Iran, and Qatar during November 23-30 as part of what GOV officials called an "international offensive" to promote the new phase of the Bolivarian Revolution. In Spain, Chavez capitalized on Foreign Minister Moratino's assertion that the [...] | 2004-12-10 21:13:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM ECON VE SP RS IR QA |
04CARACAS3834 | A PIOUS CHAVEZ CALLS FOR ANTI-U.S. UNITY ON [...] (C) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez told an Al-Jazeera interviewer December 3 that the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were "more horrendous terrorism" than the terrorist acts they were intended to combat. Speaking in a televised interview from Doha, Qatar, Chavez called for world solidari [...] | 2004-12-14 11:21:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PTER VE ZP XD |
04CARACAS3846 | VENEZUELAN ASSEMBLY APPOINTS NEW SUPREME COURT [...] (U) Venezuela's National Assembly appointed 17 new Supreme Court justices and 32 alternates December 13. The appointments expanded the Court by 12 justices, and replaced 5 retired or removed justices. Opposition Deputies boycotted the vote. Among those appointed are two Deputies from Pres [...] | 2004-12-15 13:44:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KJUS VE |
04CARACAS3855 | COPEI ON THE ROPES [...] (C) Venezuela's Christian Democratic party (Copei) agreed to restructure during party federal council and general assembly meetings December 8-9. Frustrated with Copei's refusal to cede leadership space at the national level and failure to share funds, the leadership of the Copei youth wing [...] | 2004-12-15 20:19:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS3892 | TACHIRA STATE: VISIT TO THE VENEZUELAN BORDER [...] (C) Representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) working near Venezuela's border with Colombia described the refugee situation as a growing political problem, particularly in the face of increasing security concerns on the border, during Poloffs visit to Tachira [...] | 2004-12-17 20:10:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PREL PHUM VE |
04CARACAS3917 | VENEZUELA MACROECONOMIC UPDATE [...] (U) Venezuela's economic recovery continues based on high government expenditures and strong consumption levels. Unemployment has continued its slow decline. Inflation, while slowing, remains somewhat high. The balance of payments has moved from strong surplus to a near even position. Fore [...] | 2004-12-22 15:56:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS3918 | VENEZUELA MACROECONOMIC UPDATE [...] (U) Venezuela's economic recovery continues based on high government expenditures and strong consumption levels. Unemployment has continued its slow decline. Inflation, while slowing, remains somewhat high. The balance of payments has moved from strong surp lus to a near even position. Fo [...] | 2004-12-22 16:40:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS3926 | CONTENT LAW NOW IN EFFECT, MEDIA STRUGGLE TO ADJUST [...] (U) Signed by President Hugo Chavez Frias on December 7, the "Law for Social Responsibility in Radio and Television" went into effect with its publication in the official gazette December 8. The final legislation reflects some last minute changes to a handful of articles, but remains much the s [...] | 2004-12-23 11:05:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KDEM KPAO PGOV VE |
04CARACAS3927 | THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE MESSY - VENEZUELAN [...] (C) Recent economic news in Venezuela is mixed. Third quarter GDP growth is an impressive 15.8%, and total 2004 growth estimates are being revised upward to as much as 18%, though the GOV predicts 15-16%. Venezuelan oil prices for December, on the other hand, are 28% below their October high [...] | 2004-12-23 11:55:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS3928 | CHAVEZ GIVES MARCHING ORDERS FOR THE REVOLUTION [...] (C) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez laid out plans for his Bolivarian Revolution to a group of loyalist governors, mayors, and other officials November 12-13 in Caracas. According to an account of Chavez's presentation put together by veteran Marxist writer and Chavez adviser Martha Harnecker [...] | 2004-12-23 12:30:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON VE |
04CARACAS3929 | MEETING WITH TUPAMAROS WORKING IN CARACAS [...] (C) Alberto "Chino" Carias, a member of the urban guerrilla group Tupamaros (now a political party) and now a public security official for the Caracas metropolitan district, discussed with poloff December 21 the re-structuring the Metropolitan Police and the December 8 street vendor riot in do [...] | 2004-12-23 14:42:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS3936 | AMBASSADOR VISITS VALENCIA, CAPITAL OF CARABOBO [...] (C) Ambassador's visit to the central city of Valencia on December 9 - 10, 2004 included meetings with the Governor and Mayor, although for the third consecutive trip, the military declined to meet. Newspaper coverage was excellent, and there was an abundance of media reporters and questions a [...] | 2004-12-27 14:17:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON VE |
04CARACAS3940 | VENEZUELA 2005 NATIONAL TRADE ESTIMATE REPORT [...] (U) Summary: The Following is Embassy Caracas' submission for the 2005 National Trade Estimate Report. This document was also submitted as a MS Word document to G. Blue and B. Harmon at USTR by e-mail on December 23, 2004. End Summary ------------- TRADE SUMMARY ------------- 2. (U) The [...] | 2004-12-27 18:47:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON EFIN ETRD VE |
04CARACAS3944 | ARREST WARRANTS FOR STRIKE LEADERS, TRAVEL LIMITS [...] (C) Venezuelan judges issued arrest warrants on December 23 for eight former state oil company executives accused of civil rebellion and other crimes for their role in the December 2002 - February 2003 national strike. Included among those sought are Juan Fernandez, leader of the civil societ [...] | 2004-12-27 21:01:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS3956 | VENEZUELAN ELECTORAL COUNCIL EYES THE FUTURE [...] (C) National Electoral Council (CNE) Director Jorge Rodriguez is the odds-on favorite to replace outgoing CNE President Francisco Carrasquero, who will move to the recently-expanded Supreme Court (TSJ) in January. Carrasquero's departure will leave two vacancies on the CNE's five-person board [...] | 2004-12-29 13:36:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS3977 | VENEZUELA'S MAGNATE DISCUSSES CHAVEZ AND THE REGION [...] (C ) SUMMARY. Gustavo Cisneros, who has massive business interests in Venezuela and throughout the Western Hemisphere, believes we should prepare for a more confrontational, long-term approach to Hugo Chavez; we have a lot of work ahead of us to develop a coherent regional containment policy; [...] | 2004-12-30 17:23:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM VE |
04CARACAS3979 | LAND "INTERVENTIONS" PRESAGE REDISTRIBUTION [...] (C) Venezuelan Governors in Cojedes and Monagas States have issued decrees ordering land "interventions" and charging committees of government and goverment-allied officials to review the ownership rights of over three dozen ranches and rural properties. The first decree, issued by Governor [...] | 2004-12-30 18:31:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON EAGR VE ENV |
04CARACAS407 | ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK ON SIGNATURE COUNT [...] (C) Technical and organizational problems, suspected employee sabotage, and lethargic decision making continue to stymie progress of signature verifications collected to convoke recall referendums on President Hugo Chavez and 67 National Assembly deputies. National Electoral Council (CNE) Pre [...] | 2004-02-05 12:45:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS425 | HUMAN RIGHTS STRATEGY FOR VENEZUELA [...] Venezuela continued to be embroiled in a political crisis over the government of President Hugo Chavez, who was elected in July 2000 in generally free and fair elections. The democratic environment suffered from deteriorating rule of law and weakened institutions that were increasingly subord [...] | 2004-02-09 14:56:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV PREL VE |
04CARACAS430 | READOUT ON CARTER VISIT: SHORING UP THE REFERENDUM [...] (C) Carter Center representative Francisco Diez believes the January 27-29 visit of former President Carter was pivotal in keeping the signature verification process at the National Electoral Commission (CNE) on track. In meetings with President Chavez, Carter emphasized the need for Chavez to [...] | 2004-02-09 21:52:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS437 | SIGNATURE COUNT FACES ROCKY WEEK [...] (C) The National Electoral Commission (CNE) faces a tough week, as the politically symbolic deadline of February 13 will come and go without a definitive decision on the recall referendum against President Chavez. Opposition groups plan a march on February 14 to "defend" their signatures and k [...] | 2004-02-10 17:16:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS501 | UPDATE ON THE USAID/OTI VENEZUELA PROGRAM [...] USAID'S OFFICE OF TRANSITION INITIATIVES (OTI) BEGAN ITS VENEZUELA PROGRAM IN NOVEMBER 2002 TO SUPPORT THE PRIMARY USG GOAL OF SUPPORTING DEMOCRACY AND DEMOCRATIC SOLUTIONS TO VENEZUELA'S POLITICAL CRISIS. USAID'S OVERALL GOAL IN VENEZUELA IS TO SUPPORT A POLITICAL PROCESS THAT IS DEMOCR [...] | 2004-02-11 15:26:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL EAID KDEM PHUM VE |
04CARACAS503 | VENEZUELA POLITICAL UPDATE: 2/11/2004 [...] CNE: -- (C) CARTER CENTER REPRESENTATIVE FRANCISCO DIEZ TOLD THE AMBASSADOR THAT THE NATIONAL ELECTORAL COUNCIL (CNE) NOW CLAIMS THAT THERE ARE ONLY 3,000 SIGNATURE FORMS (OR 30,000 SIGNATURES) THAT ARE BEING QUESTIONED, A SIGNIFICANT DOWN-GRADE FROM THE 65,000 FORMS (OR 650,000 SIGNATURES) [...] | 2004-02-11 20:18:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM VE |
04CARACAS527 | CNE DIRECTOR MEJIAS INVOLVED IN NATIONAL GUARD [...] (C) An alleged attack on a National Assembly (AN) Deputy Edgar (Democratic Action) Zambrano and National Electoral Council (CNE) Director Sobella Mejias (pro-opposition) by National Guard (GN) troops as the two dined on February 7 created a political firestorm. At issue is whether GN Gen. Mar [...] | 2004-02-12 15:55:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS532 | CARTER CENTER BRIEFING ALARMS WESTERN HEMISPHERE [...] (C) The Carter Center held a briefing on February 10 at the Ambassador's residence for Western Hemisphere ambassadors on the status of the signature verification process at the National Electoral Commission (CNE). Carter Center representatives described the numerous administrative problems (i [...] | 2004-02-12 17:30:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS533 | THE "TROPICAL UNITY" OF THE OPPOSITION [...] (C) The opposition remains convinced that the referendum is on track, according to a top aide for Enrique Mendoza. Organizers of the February 14 march to defend the signatures calling for a recall vote on President Hugo Chavez are planning on 100,000 (some hope for one million) to participate [...] | 2004-02-12 17:51:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS535 | VENEZUELA POLITICAL UPDATE: 2/12/2004 [...] CNE: -- (C) OAS observers told poloff on February 11 that the National Electoral Council (CNE) will re-submit the remainder of the signature forms for the presidential recall referendum to a verification using their stricter criteria. This move will certainly slow the verification process a [...] | 2004-02-13 12:31:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM VE |
04CARACAS545 | ARIAS CARDENAS: OPPOSITION FACES UPHILL BATTLE [...] (C) Francisco Arias Cardenas, former presidential candidate and ex-Governor of Zulia, told the Ambassador February 11 that President Hugo Chavez's increased control of the military and the state oil company (PDVSA) following the events of April 11, 2002, make it unlikely that he could be force [...] | 2004-02-13 20:08:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV VE |
04CARACAS546 | GROWING PRESSURE FOR RENEGOTIATION OF OIL SERVICE [...] (C) There are signs that the GOV has started playing hardball in its efforts to force the oil companies that signed operating service agreements in the 1990's to convert these contracts into the majority GOV-owned joint ventures mandated under the 2001 Hydrocarbons Law. Public claims by the [...] | 2004-02-13 20:21:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET ECON VE |
04CARACAS548 | ANOTHER CUBAN DOCTOR ATTEMPTS TO FLEE [...] ON FEBRUARY 4, NATIONAL GUARDSMEN ARRESTED ULISES BERNAL PEREZ, A CUBAN DOCTOR ASSIGNED TO THE "BARRIO ADENTRO" (INTO THE SLUMS) PROGRAM, AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO DEFECT BY FORCING TWO JOURNALISTS TO DRIVE HIM TO THE COLOMBIAN BORDER, ACCORDING TO PRESS REPORTS. BERNAL PEREZ REPORTEDLY BELI [...] | 2004-02-13 20:52:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PREF VE |
04CARACAS549 | AFTERMATH OF DEVALUATION: INFLATION AND PRIVATE [...] (C) THE GOV FOLLOWED ITS FEBRUARY 9 DEVALUATION (REF A) WITH PRICE INCREASES ON SOME IMPORTANT PRICE-CONTROLLED STAPLES THE NEXT DAY. THE CHIEF ECONOMISTS OF VENEZUELA'S TWO LARGEST BANKS SAW THE DEVALUATION DIFFERENTLY IN CONVERSATIONS WITH ECONOFF. LUIS ZAMBRANO OF BANCO MERCANTIL SAID THE [...] | 2004-02-13 20:59:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS552 | VENEZUELA POLITICAL UPDATE: 2/13/2004 [...] Carter Center: -- (U) In a February 13 statement the Carter Center called on the National Electoral Council (CNE) to publish a firm schedule to finish their verification of signature sheets by February 28. 2. OAS: -- (C) OAS observers told poloff that a February 28 deadline would most [...] | 2004-02-13 21:28:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM VE |
04CARACAS559 | BRAIN TRUST PREVIEWS PRIMARY PLANS [...] (C) On 07 February, the Ambassador met with a group of opposition "wise-men" who made a presentation on a plan for a unified candidate to run for president in elections following an eventual recall referendum. The group claimed that the plan had possible widespread support among leaders of the [...] | 2004-02-17 19:32:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS560 | DAS DESHAZO PRESSES SIGNATURE COUNT WITH VP RANGEL [...] (C) WHA DAS Peter DeShazo told Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel on February 16 that the world is watching the manner in which the National Electoral Council(CNE) carries out the signature count on the recall petition against President Hugo Chavez. DAS DeShazo expressed full support for the w [...] | 2004-02-17 19:35:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS577 | CARTER CENTER/OAS RAISE CONCERNS WITH DAS DESHAZO [...] (C) WHA DAS Peter DeShazo expressed USG support for the OAS and the Carter Center in a lunch on February 16 for representatives of both organizations hosted by the Ambassador. OAS Chief of Staff Fernando Jaramillo said it is clear the National Electoral Council (CNE) is attempting to invalida [...] | 2004-02-18 12:21:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS578 | VENEZUELA POLITICAL UPDATE: 2/14/2004 [...] OAS: -- (C) OAS chief of staff Francisco Jaramillo told the Ambassador February 13 that the National Electoral Council (CNE) board meeting with the Carter Center and OAS was "a disaster." Jaramillo said the CNE refused an OAS and Carter Center proposal to bring fingerprint experts from the [...] | 2004-02-18 15:33:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM VE |
04CARACAS610 | IMF REP SEES LITTLE TO CHEER ABOUT IN VENEZUELA'S [...] (C) In a February 19 meeting with Econcouns, IMF Resident Representative Humberto Arbulu expressed deep skepticism over Chavez administration economic policies and frustration over the lack of transparency in economic information made available to him. He gave the Finance Ministry high mark [...] | 2004-02-20 13:50:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PGOV VE |
04CARACAS612 | CHAVEZ TAKES AIM AT HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS [...] (C) During his February 15 "Alo Presidente" broadcast, President Chavez accused several human rights organizations of receiving funding from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) through the Washington-based Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL) to help overthrow the GOV. Seve [...] | 2004-02-20 16:10:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV VE |
04CARACAS620 | ADVANCING THE REVLUTION: BRINGING THE ATTORNEY [...] (C ON FEBRUARY 18, CARMEN ALGUINDIGUE, DIRECTOR OF PROCEDURAL ACTION AND ONE OF THREE KEY CAREER EMPLOEES IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, WAS FIRED. ACCORDING TO LEGATT, AT LEAST TWO MORE TOP EMPLYEES IN THE ORGANIZATION WILL BE FIRED AS PART O A STRATEGY TO FORCE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFI [...] | 2004-02-20 20:22:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KJUS VE |
04CARACAS627 | EMBASSY CARACAS COMMENTS ON 2004 SPECIAL 301 REVIEW [...] (SBU) The GOV continues to show signs of slippage in its commitment to the protection of intellectual property rights. In 2003 the government persisted in its policy of approving domestic copies of internationally patented pharmaceutical products for sale in Venezuela. Venezuela's anti-trust [...] | 2004-02-25 12:32:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | KIPR ECON VE |
04CARACAS628 | DAS DESHAZO'S MEETING WITH AMBASSADORS ON 2/16/2004 [...] (C) During a February 16 meeting in Caracas, DAS Peter DeShazo told ambassadors from interested countries that the international community needs to make clear its strong and unified support for the democratic process, the OAS and the Carter Center. The Spanish ambassador worried about a CNE [...] | 2004-02-25 13:42:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM VE |
04CARACAS634 | CHAVEZ ACCUSES USG OF FUNDING "COUPMONGERS" [...] (C) During his February 8 and 15 "Alo, Presidente" broadcasts, President Chavez accused the USG of supporting opposition efforts to oust him by funneling $60,000 to the NGO Sumate and millions more to assist other opposition groups. Chavez also claimed that the CIA's refusal to provide any in [...] | 2004-02-26 14:08:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PROP VE |
04CARACAS649 | VENEZUELA REFERENDUM UPDATE: 2/25/2004 [...] (C) The National Electoral Council (CNE) announced February 24 that petition forms with more than one third of the signatures to petition the recall of President Chavez will be submitted to the CNE's Superior Technical Committee (CTS) for further review because they were filled in with the sam [...] | 2004-02-26 22:21:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM VE |
04CARACAS651 | CIVIL REBELLION CHARGES SPARK PROTESTS IN MERIDA [...] (C) Pro-GOV Merida State Governor Florencio Porras ordered an investigation against 24 opposition-aligned citizens in January, alleging civil rebellion stemming back to events in April 2002, when President Hugo Chavez was briefly removed from power. Students led violent protests January 29 and [...] | 2004-02-26 22:32:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS699 | REPORT ON STAFFDEL FEBRUARY 18-20 [...] (C) House Western Hemisphere Subcommittee staff members met with opposition and government leaders, members of the National Assembly, and the UNHCR representative in Caracas February 18-20. Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel emphasized the importance of maintaining a good Venezuelan-U.S. bil [...] | 2004-03-01 20:37:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF VE |
04CARACAS700 | WEEKEND OF CONFLICT IN CARACAS; NO CNE DECISION YET [...] (C) Opposition groups staged two days of protests in the wake of the February 27 march that left one dead and dozens injured. The GOV staged its own march of hundreds of thousands on February 28 to protest U.S. intervention in Venezuelan affairs. Speaking to the crowd, President Chavez deliv [...] | 2004-03-01 21:35:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS708 | CHEVRONTEXACO GRANTED SECOND OFF-SHORE GAS BLOCK [...] (C) Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez_ announced February 19 the award of Block 3 of the off-shore Deltana Platform natural gas project to ChevronTexaco. Despite the fact that ChevronTexaco was the only bidder for the block in December 2003, ChevronTexaco de Venezuela President Ali Moshiri said [...] | 2004-03-02 17:39:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET ECON VE |
04CARACAS714 | ECONOMIC FALL-OUT FROM INCREASED POLITICAL TENSIONS [...] (SBU) The rise in political tensions over the revocatory referendum on Chavez's tenure in office and attendant violence is beginning to spill over into the economy. The parallel market bolivar/dollar rate has spiked as has the spread on Venezuelan bonds. It appears, however, that a planned [...] | 2004-03-02 20:41:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON PGOV EFIN ENRG VE |
04CARACAS728 | THE OPPOSITION'S NEGOTIATING DILEMMA [...] (C) The Democratic Coordinating Committee (DCC) is negotiating with National Electoral Council (CNE) Director Jorge Rodriguez to design a workable appeals process ("reparo") for regaining the signatures petitioning a presidential recall referendum not initially accepted by the CNE. The DCC wa [...] | 2004-03-04 19:07:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS731 | HOW REAL IS CHAVEZ'S OIL THREAT? [...] (C) On February 29, President Chavez threatened to cut off Venezuelan oil supplies to the U.S. or to nationalize U.S. company assets if the U.S. were to seek to "blockade" or impose sanctions against Venezuela. The U.S. majors in Venezuela dismiss his words as bluster but do not totally disco [...] | 2004-03-04 22:57:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET PGOV VE |
04CARACAS740 | WHERE THE OPPOSITION STANDS ON CNE TALKS [...] (C) OPPOSITION LEADERS BEGAN DISCUSSIONS WITH NATIONAL ELECTORAL COUNCIL (CNE) JORGE RODRIGUEZ ON MARCH 3 TO WORK OUT A FORMULA FOR THE REFERENDUM SIGNATURES APPEALS PROCESS. IN ADDITION TO NEGOTIATING WITH THE CNE, THE OPPOSITION LEADERS FACE FUNDAMENTAL INTERNAL DIVISIONS AS TO WHETHER TO PU [...] | 2004-03-05 19:36:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS746 | CHAVEZ RENEWS ALLEGATIONS OF U.S. PLOTTING [...] (C) President Hugo Chavez repudiated international criticisms against the GOV for human rights violations and undemocratic practices, speaking to the diplomatic corps March 5. DCM attending on behalf of the Ambassador, walked out after Chavez reasserted allegations, made most recently Februar [...] | 2004-03-05 20:57:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS749 | OAS AND CARTER CENTER PUT PRESSURE ON GOV [...] (C) CARTER CENTER REPRESENTATIVE MATTHEW HODES TOLD THE AMBASSADOR MARCH 4 THAT FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER AND OAS SYG CESAR GAVIRIA WOULD PULL THEIR MISSIONS OUT OF VENEZUELA IF THE GOV INSISTS ON UNWORKABLE RULES FOR THE PROPOSED APPEALS PROCESS (REPARO). CNE DIRECTOR JORGE RODRIGUEZ WANT [...] | 2004-03-05 21:35:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM VE |
04CARACAS752 | IS ANYONE KEEPING SCORE? HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS [...] (U) Growing violence since February 27 has produced a sharp rise in the number and types of human rights violations throughout Venezuela. Several local human rights organizations, Amnesty International, and the Inter-American Human Rights Commission issued statements condemning the violence [...] | 2004-03-08 11:08:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KDEM VE OAS |
04CARACAS786 | CNE EMPLOYEES: GOV TAKING OVER, RECALL UNLIKELY [...] (C) Diego Acevedo, aide to CNE Director Sobella Mejias, claimed even if the presidential referendum signature appeals process overcomes significant technical hurdles, it will nonetheless be vulnerable to pro-Chavez sabotage from the overseeing officials. He claimed all of the CNE's regional o [...] | 2004-03-09 15:32:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM VE |
04CARACAS801 | THE NARROW ROAD TO THE SIGNATURE APPEALS PROCESS [...] (C) The GOV and the opposition continue to negotiate the appeals process ("reparos") that will determine the fate of the signatures presidential referendum against President Hugo Chavez. The National Electoral Council (CNE) March 7 delivered its computerized version of the results of the veri [...] | 2004-03-09 21:52:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS851 | IN GAS CEREMONY CHAVEZ SOUNDS A LESS AGGRESSIVE [...] (C) President Chavez pointedly lowered his anti-U.S. rhetoric in a March 9 ceremony hurriedly organized by the GOV to recognize the award to ChevronTexaco (CTX) of an exploration license for an off-shore natural gas block. While agreeing that Chavez had sought to send a message to the USG, sen [...] | 2004-03-12 16:18:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET PREL ECON VE |
04CARACAS882 | CHAVEZ'S LONG ARM CHOKES JUDGES AND PROSECUTORS [...] (C) Recently fired chief prosecutor Ramon Medina told poloff March 9 that the Attorney General's Office is increasingly focused on solidifying Chavez's hold on domestic institutions. Medina, a long-time contact of the Embassy's LegAtt and PAS offices, said he was dismissed because he resisted [...] | 2004-03-12 21:12:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM VE |
04CARACAS883 | SUMATE SCRUBS THE CNE'S PRELIMINARY RESULTS [...] (C) The NGO Sumate presented to the diplomatic corps on March 11 its initial impressions of the signature verification data given to the opposition by the National Electoral Council's (CNE). The CNE's work is full of errors that, in Sumate's opinion, imply an intentional effort to ruin the ch [...] | 2004-03-12 21:12:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS884 | INCREASED OIL SALES TO CUBA? [...] (C) Venezuela's crude and refined product exports to Cuba have been increased by an additional 25,000 b/d for an official total of 78,000 b/d, according to a maritime industry contact. Another Embassy source asserts that Cuba is now paying a larger portion of its debt to Venezuela with bonds [...] | 2004-03-15 13:20:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | EPET ECON VE CU |
04CARACAS890 | DUELING CLAIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS [...] (C) Nearly a dozen Venezuelans died, 1,758 were wounded or injured, and 410 were detained during disturbances in the country from February 27 to March 5, according to the opposition Democratic Coordinating Committee (DCC). Amid the claims of government human rights abuses, the GOV has mounted [...] | 2004-03-15 16:08:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV VE |
04CARACAS898 | TSJ ELECTORAL CHAMBER ORDERS CNE TO VERIFY [...] (U) The Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ),issued a ruling March 15 ordering the National Electoral Council (CNE) to include more than 800,000 presidential referendum signatures among the valid signatures that will be subject to the appeals process (reparo). In theory, th [...] | 2004-03-15 20:09:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS908 | CHESS GAME IN THE SUPREME COURT OF JUSTICE [...] (C) Venezuela Supreme Court's (TSJ) Constitutional Chamber declared March 11 that it alone is the appropriate forum to hear cases regarding the National Electoral Council (CNE) and the proposed presidential recall referendum. Constitutional Chamber president Ivan Rincon told the Ambassador Mar [...] | 2004-03-16 12:56:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS920 | BIOGRAPHY OF VENEZUELA'S NEW FOREIGN MINISTER [...] (C/NF) Jesus Arnaldo Perez became Venezuela's Minister of Foreign Relations on February 13, 2004. Having served as Ambassador to France (2002-2004) and to Algeria (2001-2002),Perez replaced outgoing Minister Roy Chaderton, who will replace Perez as Ambassador to France once the GOV receives [...] | 2004-03-17 20:27:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PINR VE |
04CARACAS922 | U.S.-LED CONSORTIUM TO PROVIDE ELECTORAL [...] (SBU) The U.S.-based company Smartmatic (Boca Raton, Florida) is the managing partner of the SBC Consortium that recently won the contract to provide automated electoral equipment and services for Venezuela's August 1 regional elections (and a presidential referendum if necessary). The consor [...] | 2004-03-17 20:29:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM BEXP VE |
04CARACAS945 | VENEZUELA ON THE VERGE OF A PURGE [...] (C) The GOV appears to be engaged in a broad effort to ensure loyalty and punish opposition using the list of persons who signed the recall petition against President Hugo Chavez. Since the beginning of March, reports have emerged of GOV offices and state enterprises using signature data from [...] | 2004-03-19 21:36:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ELAB PHUM VE |
04CARACAS946 | SUPREME COURT DONNYBROOK STALLS RECALL [...] (U) The Supreme Court (TSJ) Constitutional Chamber ordered the Electoral Chamber to stop all activity related to the National Electoral Council (CNE) March 17. In a March 18 letter, the Electoral Chamber reaffirmed its jurisdiction in the matter and refused to give up its files. For its part, [...] | 2004-03-19 21:39:00 | Embassy Caracas | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS947 | NUMBER THREE PROSECUTOR BECOMES CHAVEZ POLITICAL [...] (C) Carmen Alguindigue, the former number three prosecutor in the Attorney General's Office, said March 17 she was fired for refusing to support the Chavez political agenda. The increasing number of politically-motivated firings in government will further weaken the nation's institutions, she [...] | 2004-03-19 21:41:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM VE |
04CARACAS949 | REGIONAL ELECTIONS WILL TEST OPPOSITION UNITY [...] (C) THE REGISTRATION OF CANDIDATES FOR VENEZUELA'S AUGUST 1 GUBERNATORIAL AND MAYORAL ELECTIONS BEGAN MARCH 16. OPPOSITION GROUPS FACE THE CHALLENGE OF MAINTAINING UNITY IN THEIR EFFORTS TO REVOKE THE MANDATE OF PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ WHILE COMPETING FOR THE REGIONAL ELECTIONS. OPPOSITION LEAD [...] | 2004-03-19 21:46:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM VE |
04CARACAS950 | WANTED: BARUTA MAYOR, FOR INCITING CROWD AT CUBAN [...] (C) Baruta Mayor He |