US embassy cable - 04CARACAS1839

C O N F I D E N T I A L  CARACAS 001839 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
NSC FOR CBARTON 
USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD 
STATE PASS USAID FOR DCHA/OTI 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/26/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, KDEM, VE 
SUBJECT: VENEZUELA: SIGNATURE APPEALS UPDATE:  MAY 28 
 
 
Classified By: A/DCM Abelardo A. Arias for Reason 1.4 (d). 
 
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Summary 
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1. (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 
country of confusion over validity of identity cards and of 
signatures missing from the appeals registers (cuadernos). 
National Electoral Council (CNE) directors and Vice President 
Jose Vicente Rangel described the process and completely 
normal and without irregularities.  Heads of international 
observer missions have expressed satisfaction with the 
process and met with GOV officials and the political actors. 
End Summary. 
 
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Process Opens In Relative Calm 
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2. (U) Signature appeals centers for the presidential recall 
referendum opened more or less on time May 28 across 
Venezuela amidst relative calm.  National Electoral Council 
(CNE) Director Jorge Rodriguez told reporters in the morning 
that only 24 of the 2,607 centers failed to open.  Army 
troops, operating under Plan Republica in support of the CNE, 
have been observed in ample numbers at appeals centers. 
Emboffs observed organized groups of Chavez supporters near 
some appeals centers, though there has been one report of 
violence (see para 7). 
 
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A Strong Turnout 
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3. (C) Embassy observers noted strong turnout in urban 
appeals centers, less so in rural centers where the number of 
appeals are much less.  There appeared to be a steady stream 
of participants.  Some reports in the early afternoon said 
some centers had already processed up to 30 percent of the 
appeals.  Participants on this weekday have tended to be 
older.  The number of those withdrawing their signatures has 
been very low, according to Emboffs.  A Coordinadora 
Democratica (CD) representative told poloff as of late 
afternoon the turnout rate was 25 percent. 
 
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Confusion Over Cedulas, Lists 
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4. (U) There were widespread reports of confusion over the 
verification of national identity cards (cedulas).  An 
instruction from the CNE advised workers to ensure that cards 
issued in December 1999 or later bear the name "Bolivarian 
Republic of Venezuela."  This led some CNE workers to deny 
persons whose cards are valid but were issued prior to that 
date.  CNE officials tried to correct this problem via press 
statements, but the problem has persisted.  Emboff noted 
several incidents firsthand in Carabobo state where Plan 
Republic soldiers performed the cedula check and denied entry 
of some individuals into appeals centers. 
 
5. (U) Emboffs heard complaints from several Venezuelans who 
believed they had a right to appeal after consulting the CNE 
and Sumate, only to find they were not included in the 
appeals register (cuaderno).  There were reports that CNE 
lists posted outside centers do not match the registers. 
Data in CNE computers on-site also showed inconsistencies 
with the registers, according to reports.  Emboff in Zulia 
state reported this problem was widespread, after consulting 
with international observers there. 
 
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CNE, GOV, Observers Praise Process 
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6. (U) CNE President Francisco Carrasquero and Jorge 
Rodriguez briefed international press in the morning. 
Carrasquero said the process was being carried out according 
to the law and emphasized that the CNE, vice international 
organizations, is the authority when it comes to releasing 
results.  CNE Directors Ezequiel Zamora and Sobella Mejias 
(opposition), who had not been invited to the international 
press conference, briefed national reporters, describing the 
CNE board as "distracted, but not fractured."  OAS SYG Cesar 
Gaviria met with Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel and told 
reporters afterward that the process was being carried out in 
a satisfactory manner.  Carter Center representative Jennifer 
McCoy met with the pro-GOV campaign committee Comando 
Ayacucho, reiterating her institution's commitment to 
impartial observation of the process. 
 
7.  (C) TalCual newspaper editor Teodoro Petkoff and 
Coordinadora Democratica leaders Pompeyo Marquez_ and Carlos 
Quiroz Corradi told the Ambassador May 28 they were 
conservatively optimistic that, despite the GOV's efforts to 
stop them, the opposition would gather enough "repaired' 
signatures to call for a presidential recall referendum. 
Luis Miquilena concurred, but he suggested that Chavez would 
then call for elections before going to a referendum.  Quiroz 
Corradi noted that the fact that there were four copies of 
the actas (one for CNE/Caracas, one each for Comando Ayacucho 
and the Coordinadora Democratica, and one for the foreign 
observers) made it more difficult for the GoV to alter them. 
Quiroz feared that violence could interrupt the process.  For 
example, pro-GoV sympathizers working for HIDROLAGO in San 
Francisco municipality (next to Maracaibo, Zulia state) 
roughed up 5-7 people who were repairing their signatures, in 
full view of the military tasked with guarding the site. 
When the chavistas returned, the military intervened and 
ordered them to leave. 
 
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Comment 
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8. (C) The opposition seems to be having a good day.  The 
opposition should get a sense of their standing overnight as 
daily tally sheets ("actas") are totaled.  Harassment by the 
military and Chavistas has been sporadic so far.  The 
identity card flap and inconsistent lists is a matter of 
concern, but seem to be in small proportion to the overall 
numbers.  Strong turnout is still the key to overcoming these 
problems. 
SHAPIRO 
 
 
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      2004CARACA01839 - CONFIDENTIAL