US embassy cable - 04CARACAS1799

C O N F I D E N T I A L  CARACAS 001799 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
NSC FOR CBARTON 
USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD 
STATE PASS USAID FOR DCHA/OTI 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/25/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, KDEM, VE, OAS 
SUBJECT: VENEZUELA: PRESIDENTIAL SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE 
 
REF: A. CARACAS 01769 
 
     B. CARACAS 01748 
     C. CARACAS 01730 
 
Classified By: A/DCM Abelardo A. Arias for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
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Summary 
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1. (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 Fernando Jaramillo for alleged bias in favor 
of the opposition.  The CNE prohibited the set up of 
information centers near appeals sites May 25, but 
pro-opposition CNE Director Ezequiel Zamora clarified 
subsequently that the information centers may operate in 
"closed areas" or political party offices.  GOV harassment of 
opposition leaders and ordinary citizens who signed against 
Chavez continues.  The Coordinadora Democratica (CD) claims 
it has made contact with 75 percent of persons eligible to 
appeal.  End summary. 
 
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Chavez Supporters Call For Removal of OAS Observer 
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2. (U) On May 26, the day before start of the presidential 
signature appeals process (which will open to the public May 
28-30), the pro-Chavez campaign committee Comando Ayacucho 
formally requested that the National Electoral Council (CNE) 
demand the removal of OAS chief observer Fernando Jaramillo 
for allegedly favoring the opposition.  Ayacucho Coordinator 
Ismael Garcia cited Jaramillo's comments to reporters during 
the May 21-23 appeals for deputies that "fewer people had 
turned out than expected" as evidence of bias.  Former 
Minister of Infrastructure Diosdado Cabello said Jaramillo 
had intervened in Venezuelan electoral issues so often that 
Jaramillo had lost all validity as an impartial observer. 
Cabello reiterated that the CNE is the only legitimate 
electoral authority and that quick counts carried out by 
international observers are not valid.  Garcia also said 
Venezuelan OAS Ambassador Jorge Valero would shortly present 
a formal complaint to OAS SYG Gaviria requesting Jaramillo's 
removal. 
 
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Information Centers Prohibited, Maybe 
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3. (U) CNE Director Oscar Battaglini (pro-GOV) announced May 
25 that the CNE had prohibited information centers (sites 
operated by the Coordinadora and Comando Ayacucho near the 
appeals centers to give logistical support and allow citizens 
to check the status of their signatures).  On May 24, CNE 
Director Jorge Rodriguez had announced that such centers must 
be located at least 150 meters away from the appeals center. 
Battaglini said the CNE acted on intelligence supplied by the 
military that the centers could lead to disruptions in public 
order.  Twenty minutes after Battaglini's comments, CNE 
Director Ezequiel Zamora (pro-opposition) told reporters the 
board had not/not banned information centers if they are 
located within an enclosed area, such as a private house or 
political party campaign office.  The official CNE press 
release affirmed the ban and did not mention Zamora's 
interpretation. 
 
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Opposition Continues to Prepare 
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4. (C) Miranda State Governor Enrique Mendoza announced that 
the Coordinadora Democratica (CD) would proceed with plans to 
establish the centers.  Opposition appeals preparations 
proceeded normally on May 26, including a simulation of the 
appeals process staged in Caracas' Chacao municipality to 
 
familiarize volunteers with the mechanics of the process.  A 
CD representative told poloff May 25 that organization for 
this round of the referendum process is better than ever 
before.  He claimed the opposition had contacted 75 percent 
of the 1.19 million persons with right to appeal, with higher 
percentages in key areas such as Zulia state.  Opposition 
groups in Anzoategui State signed a unity pact May 25 to 
consolidate forces in support of the appeals, as did 
political groups in the Sucre municipality of Caracas on May 
26. 
 
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GOV Harassment Continues 
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5. (U) GOV prosecutors continue to press legal actions 
against well-known Chavez opponents.  A judge granted Sumate 
directors Alejandro Plaz and Maria Corina Machado, charged 
with treason for accepting a grant from the National 
Endowment for Democracy, access to their case files.  They 
are now scheduled to appear June 2 for indictment and 
possible detention.  A judge sentenced journalist Ibeyise 
Pacheco to nine months in prison for defaming a military 
officer after she accused him of corruption in 2002. 
Pacheco, who remains free, told reporters she would appeal 
the decision.  Authorities also detained retired Gen. 
Francisco Uson May 22.  He faces charges of defaming the 
armed forces.  At the time of his detention, Uson was working 
with the Coordinadora on logistics for the appeals in Bolivar 
State. 
 
6. (C) Allegations persist of dismissal of public employees 
who signed against Chavez and threats against recipients of 
public welfare programs.  Causa R Deputy Andres Velazquez 
told poloff May 25 he had personal knowledge that the Comando 
Ayacucho, under its so-called "Plan Sovereignty," is going 
door-to-door in Anzoategui and Bolivar states searching for 
petition signers who receive public aid.  Chavez supporters 
tell the signer to withdraw their names during the appeals 
process or they or their family members will lose their 
benefits.  Velazquez said his own son, a teacher, had been 
denied a government housing loan unless he withdraw his 
signature.  Antonio Suarez, an Executive Secretary of the 
Confederation of Venezuelan Workers (CTV), told poloff May 26 
he had documented 52 firings and 63 transfers of public 
workers for having signed, along with 850 threats of 
dismissal if workers do not retract their signatures.  Suarez 
said he had presented these cases to the Human Rights 
Ombudsman, the CNE, and the International Labor Organization. 
 
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GOV Announces Intelligence Operation 
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7. (U) Vice Minister of Interior and Justice Carlos Betioll 
announced May 26 that the GOV will mount a special 
intelligence operation to prevent "anarchic groups" from 
disrupting public order during the appeals process.  He 
refused to give names, but said several individuals with a 
history of plotting were under suspicion.  Mayor of 
Metropolitan Caracas Alfredo Pena said May 26 2,600 
Metropolitan Police will patrol Caracas to maintain public 
order.  The GOV plans to mount an open street market 
("megamercado") in downtown Caracas during the appeals 
process, according to press reports. 
 
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Comment 
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8. (C) The GOV is laying the groundwork for this weekend by 
instilling a climate of fear and uncertainty.  So far, the 
Chavistas are employing the modus operandi of alleging 
violent conspiracies and attacking those who can criticize 
them, namely, the international observers.  The opposition is 
largely staying out of the fray with the GOV as they prepare 
for the appeals. 
SHAPIRO 
 
 
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      2004CARACA01799 - CONFIDENTIAL