US embassy cable - 04CARACAS2726

C O N F I D E N T I A L  CARACAS 002726 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
NSC FOR CBARTON 
USCINCSO ALSO FOR POLAD 
STATE PASS USAID FOR DCHA/OTI 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, KDEM, VE 
SUBJECT: CHAVEZ INCREASING HIS INFLUENCE 
 
Classified By: A/DCM Abelardo A. Arias for Reason 1.5(d) 
 
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Summary 
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1. (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 Secretary at the Venezuelan Embassy in the United 
States, as the new Minister of Communication and Information, 
replacing Jesse Chacon, who he named Minister of Interior and 
Justice.  Chavez briefly mentioned the USG, reading a U.S. 
newspaper editorial and in conjunction with international 
observers' comments.  End Summary. 
 
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Strengthening the Revolution 
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2. (U) President Hugo Chavez used his weekly televised "Alo, 
Presidente" program August 22 to outline his plans for moving 
forward and deepening the "revolution", which included 
increasing governance and decreasing corruption.  Chavez said 
he would push for the approval of the "Social Responsibility 
Law for Radio and Television" that imposes limits on private 
media and gives the government more control over it.  "This 
should not be seen as a threat, but as a guarantee for more 
order.  This will increase governance," Chavez said.  While 
Chavez asserted that this would help prevent radio and 
television transmissions used to incite "terrorist or 
destabilizing" acts, the Venezuelan independent media refers 
to the proposed legislation as a "gag law." 
 
3. (U) Chavez invited public officials to eliminate 
corruption and do their jobs honestly so as to end all 
similarities to the "Fourth Republic."  He said the National 
Assembly needed to move forward and appoint the new judges to 
the Supreme Court, which is currently comprised of 20 judges. 
 Chavez said this would, "take the courts out of corrupt 
hands."  Opposition members, however, say that this will 
effectively give Chavez control of the court system. 
 
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Chavez Disavows the Democratic Coordinator 
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4. (U) Since the Coordinadora Democratica continues to allege 
fraud in the referendum, despite announcements to the 
contrary from the Carter Center and Organization of American 
States (OAS), Chavez said he does not recognize the 
Coordinadora.  Chavez said, "We cannot dialog with those who 
do not recognize the Constitution, the people."  Chavez 
called for "new leaders" of the opposition to step forward -- 
governors, mayors or business leaders who are "serious" and 
recognized the results of a democratic election.  Chavez said 
that despite his win the "rich" should not worry because 
their rights are guaranteed.  "This is a revolution of love, 
not one filled with hate, nor blood, nor death, nor is it a 
revolution that ignores the rights of others.  What we can is 
national unity, debate; the transformation of what the word 
"revolution" means," Chavez said. 
 
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Cabinet Reshuffled 
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5. (U) Chavez also designated Andres Izarra, a journalist and 
the Press Secretary at the Venezuelan Embassy in the United 
States, as the new Minister of Communication and Information. 
 Izzarra will replace Jesse Chacon who Chavez named the new 
Minister of Interior and Justice.  The former Minister of 
Interior and Justice, Lucas Rincon, was praised by Chavez 
during his national address, but has not been appointed to a 
new position by the President. 
 
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USG Ignored 
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6. (U) Chavez briefly mentioned the USG.  He read a 
translation of a "LA Times" editorial which said the USG had 
 
supported the coup d'etat in 2002 but was now going to work 
with Chavez.  While talking about receiving recognition from 
the Carter Center and OAS, Chavez also said, "The Bush 
government honored their word (recognized the results of the 
referendum)." 
 
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Comment 
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7. (C) Rincon struck most of the diplomatic corps as a loon. 
Chacon, a trusted former co-conspirator in the 1992 coup, is 
more competent, suggesting Chavez wants more from the 
Interior (police) Ministry.  Chavez was clear that he is 
increasing his hold and influence on Venezuelan institutions. 
 His vow to deepen the revolution ostensibly focuses on 
reducing corruption and increasing MVR and GOV honesty 
(septel).  Chavez is also poised to increase government 
ability to control private radio and television stations 
should the media bill become law.  Chavez' very brief mention 
of the USG contrasts with his pre-referendum attacks against 
the U.S. 
McFarland 
 
 
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      2004CARACA02726 - CONFIDENTIAL