The electoral saga in Venezuela continues
Tuesday 1, June 2004
The Carter Center and the OAS have just left from a meeting with the Electoral Board, CNE. No parties declared, and a press conference is announced for 11 AM. Why do I have the feeling that few slept last night?
I am sure that some face saving situation will be eventually found, after all they are all politicians.
However I cannot fail to express my amazement as to the fact that the validation process for a maximum of 1 million signatures ended up Sunday at, say, 7 PM and today the CNE is in no shape to emit a result. What will happen in September when million of votes will need to be counted after the regional election. Months before the results? Can an electoral organization be SO INCOMPETENT? Or is there something else going on?
The gentle reader is free to come to his/her own conclusion.
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
Alejandro Armas in "30 minutos"
Revelations about a possible electoral fraud in Venezuela? Could Jorge Rodriguez lie to that extent?
And an acknowledgment for Jimmy Carter.
Alejandro Armas is a representative to the National Assembly. He was elected in 2000 on Chavez lists and became for a year the chairman of the fiance committee. His break up came with Chavez when he decided that some accounting was necessary. Chavez does not tolerate anyone to remind him his duties.
Tonight Alejandro Armas, one of the most distinguished and serious opponents of Chavez, who sat for months at the negotiation table without losing his temper is commenting on today events in "30 minutos", my favorite opinion program on TV where Cesar Miguel Rondon gives you the "scandal" of the day without a word pronounced a tone higher than the other.
Well, tonight both men are rather in shock about the events that I related earlier on.
Alejandro Armas ratifies that the counting is not proceeding, that the validation books are in Tiuna Fort and that is why Rodriguez did not want the journalists go to the counting room. He also confirmed that indeed today there was a meeting to discuss a "change" in the rules approved BEFORE the validation process. And that is why Zamora was not invited. Imagine that!
In other words, it seems that Rodriguez has lied and has tried to cover it up by invoking respect for the CNE and other such nonsense. Rodriguez lost tonight an excellent opportunity to hide and stay silent. In a fit of hubris he thought that he could come out after Carter left and dish him out. He was caught like a small time liar. Or he is the only one telling the truth.
It is fascinating to see how Rodriguez, a psychiatrist by trade, a leftist politician for family reasons, has let himself become the tool of fraud for reasons that can be charitably attributed to a narcistic complex.
Meanwhile Armas is talking in the sternest language I ever heard him talk. Even peaceful and straight arrow men can come to lose their temper when vileness is just too much to bear.
I would like to close shop for the night expressing my personal gratitude for Jimmy Carter. He has been vilified quite often by many an opposition member in Venezuela. But in this blog the reader will not find a word against him, though on occasion I wondered how clear he was about the Venezuelan situation. I always knew that when the time for firmness would come, he would be as firm and objective as one could be. In the 1980 US election, my first election while living in the US, I was surprised by a rather unjust rejection of his rule. But I had only seen the last 6 months of his term and I could not judge.
Maybe Mr. Carter was not an effective president, perhaps too much of a preacher, but I think that his second career has been very productive and Venezuela is extremely lucky to have him give us a hand. Thank you Mr. Carter. We know that you alone will not be able to solve our problems, but without you they would have been indeed much harder to solve.
Revelations about a possible electoral fraud in Venezuela? Could Jorge Rodriguez lie to that extent?
And an acknowledgment for Jimmy Carter.
Alejandro Armas is a representative to the National Assembly. He was elected in 2000 on Chavez lists and became for a year the chairman of the fiance committee. His break up came with Chavez when he decided that some accounting was necessary. Chavez does not tolerate anyone to remind him his duties.
Tonight Alejandro Armas, one of the most distinguished and serious opponents of Chavez, who sat for months at the negotiation table without losing his temper is commenting on today events in "30 minutos", my favorite opinion program on TV where Cesar Miguel Rondon gives you the "scandal" of the day without a word pronounced a tone higher than the other.
Well, tonight both men are rather in shock about the events that I related earlier on.
Alejandro Armas ratifies that the counting is not proceeding, that the validation books are in Tiuna Fort and that is why Rodriguez did not want the journalists go to the counting room. He also confirmed that indeed today there was a meeting to discuss a "change" in the rules approved BEFORE the validation process. And that is why Zamora was not invited. Imagine that!
In other words, it seems that Rodriguez has lied and has tried to cover it up by invoking respect for the CNE and other such nonsense. Rodriguez lost tonight an excellent opportunity to hide and stay silent. In a fit of hubris he thought that he could come out after Carter left and dish him out. He was caught like a small time liar. Or he is the only one telling the truth.
It is fascinating to see how Rodriguez, a psychiatrist by trade, a leftist politician for family reasons, has let himself become the tool of fraud for reasons that can be charitably attributed to a narcistic complex.
Meanwhile Armas is talking in the sternest language I ever heard him talk. Even peaceful and straight arrow men can come to lose their temper when vileness is just too much to bear.
I would like to close shop for the night expressing my personal gratitude for Jimmy Carter. He has been vilified quite often by many an opposition member in Venezuela. But in this blog the reader will not find a word against him, though on occasion I wondered how clear he was about the Venezuelan situation. I always knew that when the time for firmness would come, he would be as firm and objective as one could be. In the 1980 US election, my first election while living in the US, I was surprised by a rather unjust rejection of his rule. But I had only seen the last 6 months of his term and I could not judge.
Maybe Mr. Carter was not an effective president, perhaps too much of a preacher, but I think that his second career has been very productive and Venezuela is extremely lucky to have him give us a hand. Thank you Mr. Carter. We know that you alone will not be able to solve our problems, but without you they would have been indeed much harder to solve.
Preliminary conclusion
A major crisis is unfolding.
Rodriguez has burnt his ships with the International observers. Can he come back from calling Carter a liar? Could possibly Carter be wrong?
Chavez is suddenly tonight between a rock and a hard place. All that just happened, is it a script or something that went awfully wrong somewhere? Will Chavez kick the game table and sent the Recall Election, and democracy, to hell? Will he accept the will of the people?
Folks, it seems that we are close from something big.
A major crisis is unfolding.
Rodriguez has burnt his ships with the International observers. Can he come back from calling Carter a liar? Could possibly Carter be wrong?
Chavez is suddenly tonight between a rock and a hard place. All that just happened, is it a script or something that went awfully wrong somewhere? Will Chavez kick the game table and sent the Recall Election, and democracy, to hell? Will he accept the will of the people?
Folks, it seems that we are close from something big.
Jimmy Carter is "concerned".
In what are probably his more energetic declarations ever since Jimmy Carter got involved in the Venezuelan conundrum, ha came with Gaviria in tow for a quick inspection of the CNE. He announced in a brief, clear and concise statement that he had announced his visit in advance (so how come Carrasquero et al were not there?), that he was CONCERNED (a word whose diplomatic importance was not lost) by the delay in the information that was supposed to REACH THE OAS AND CARTER CENTER (no mention of Zamora, so either he declared that knowing that they were on their way, or it was just a coincidence and the Carter Center and OAS are much better informed than expected). He ended up by saying that he was looking forward to explanations tomorrow morning.
This is very important. The OAS (Gaviria silence was more telling than any word he could say, letting the Nobel prize winner talk, without even taking questions) and the Carter Center have pretty much given the chavista trio in the CNE an ultimatum: we are fed up with all of your tricks.
And right now, as I am about to post this, Rodriguez is already in the air lamely saying that they are more than willing to meet Carter but that "he would like to be warned". What about Zamora requests for a meeting all through the day? And sure enough Rodriguez went on to attack Zamora. And he went on to say that all was running NORMALLY.
And right now he is answering questions and saying that it is absolutely false that Carter had announced, to him he corrected, that he was coming.
And, stupendously, a journalist caught him on a misinformation, that he was not in the CNE! When in fact he was nearby and could have been there to receive Carter. And then he attacked Carter and Zamora some more remarking that Carter voiced Zamora earlier declarations.
So, what is going on? Who is lying? Will Zamora come back to the air waves?
The suspense is killing us. In particular where the heck is Carrasquero...
It seems that the CNE is breaking apart.
PS: a few minutes later. Rodriguez suddenly left the room when a journalist contradicted his words. Flustered and furious. To be caught? Or to have his good name questioned? What is it?
In what are probably his more energetic declarations ever since Jimmy Carter got involved in the Venezuelan conundrum, ha came with Gaviria in tow for a quick inspection of the CNE. He announced in a brief, clear and concise statement that he had announced his visit in advance (so how come Carrasquero et al were not there?), that he was CONCERNED (a word whose diplomatic importance was not lost) by the delay in the information that was supposed to REACH THE OAS AND CARTER CENTER (no mention of Zamora, so either he declared that knowing that they were on their way, or it was just a coincidence and the Carter Center and OAS are much better informed than expected). He ended up by saying that he was looking forward to explanations tomorrow morning.
This is very important. The OAS (Gaviria silence was more telling than any word he could say, letting the Nobel prize winner talk, without even taking questions) and the Carter Center have pretty much given the chavista trio in the CNE an ultimatum: we are fed up with all of your tricks.
And right now, as I am about to post this, Rodriguez is already in the air lamely saying that they are more than willing to meet Carter but that "he would like to be warned". What about Zamora requests for a meeting all through the day? And sure enough Rodriguez went on to attack Zamora. And he went on to say that all was running NORMALLY.
And right now he is answering questions and saying that it is absolutely false that Carter had announced, to him he corrected, that he was coming.
And, stupendously, a journalist caught him on a misinformation, that he was not in the CNE! When in fact he was nearby and could have been there to receive Carter. And then he attacked Carter and Zamora some more remarking that Carter voiced Zamora earlier declarations.
So, what is going on? Who is lying? Will Zamora come back to the air waves?
The suspense is killing us. In particular where the heck is Carrasquero...
It seems that the CNE is breaking apart.
PS: a few minutes later. Rodriguez suddenly left the room when a journalist contradicted his words. Flustered and furious. To be caught? Or to have his good name questioned? What is it?
7:03 PM, May 31 2004
I have just seen Gaviria, Jimmy Carter and Jennifer McCoy, his main aid on Venezuela arrive to the CNE and climb the stairs going to the meeting rooms of the CNE. The reception staff seemed a little bit surprised. As far as I know only Zamora and Mejias are the Rectors in attendance. Carrasquero is on his way. The other two?
La hora menguada.
I have just seen Gaviria, Jimmy Carter and Jennifer McCoy, his main aid on Venezuela arrive to the CNE and climb the stairs going to the meeting rooms of the CNE. The reception staff seemed a little bit surprised. As far as I know only Zamora and Mejias are the Rectors in attendance. Carrasquero is on his way. The other two?
La hora menguada.
Just off TV
The Carter Center finest hour?
As I was proofing the last post I heard from Alo Ciudadano, the high rating evening TV talk show, in the TV background that:
Gaviria and Carter are on their way to the CNE.
Carrasquero, who had avoided meetings all day and had left, is also coming back.
Is it about to hit the fan? Inquiring minds want to know.
The Carter Center finest hour?
As I was proofing the last post I heard from Alo Ciudadano, the high rating evening TV talk show, in the TV background that:
Gaviria and Carter are on their way to the CNE.
Carrasquero, who had avoided meetings all day and had left, is also coming back.
Is it about to hit the fan? Inquiring minds want to know.
The Venezuelan Electoral Board near implosion?
Or is too late already to avoid electoral fraud in Venezuela?
Monday 31, May 2004
In an astounding development, Ezequiel Zamora, the vice president of the Electoral board, CNE, went solo for a very strong and delicate series of declarations and statements. Briefly resumed.
1)He has tried to obtain a meeting of the Board all through the day. Apparently it has been impossible, to the point that he decided to go solo at 6 PM. It is inconceivable that on a post election day the CNE cannot manage to gather. What explanation will give the three pro Chavez rectors? One could be missing, but three?
2)He has been deliberately lied to when he asked for the data as to how the signature validation process was going on. When finally they had to give in and give in the data they cut off his PC terminal on his office alleging some "programming problem".
3)He has stated that there is no way that a change in the rules will take place. This if course is an indirect acknowledgment of the buzz today as to an attempt once more by the pro Chavez rectors to modify the previous regulations to allow them to yet, again, modify the final results. This could be seen coming this way after the disgraceful presentation of Carrasquero, the president of the CNE yesterday.
4)To a journalist question as to rumors that the "validation books" were delayed in their arrival to the CNE because they were going first through Tiuna Fort (the military headquarters of the pro-Chavez factions within the Army) for appropriate doctoring, he told that if that were true then the CNE had no more business to do and could close shop. He promised to personally investigate after saying "I certainly hope that this is not happening".
5)He finished his declaration saying to the journalists that "if another rector dares to come here to make a rebuttal of my words, please wait for me, I will be right back". A definitive gauntlet to the pro Chavez majority. Is the CNE fianlly reaching the implosion point?
A fast reading of the situation: the CNE has seen the data, Chavez lost. And the pro-Chavez faction decided for the fraud, outright fraud even if Gaviria and Carter are still around. Zamora has sent them an ultimatum. All evidence so far seems to confirm a possible fraud, unaccountable delays, missing people. It is for the pro-Chavez rectors to come out and deny everything. We will be waiting expectantly.
More this evening, perhaps. Life time reporting again folks!
Note added in proof: for the record.
The opposition, quite upset about the rules change in January, AFTER the signature collection, a change in rules that allowed the pro Chavez faction to suspend 1.5 million signatures, had been negotiating really hard to make sure that such a scenario could not happen again. Yet...
In addition it must be noted that every day the validation centers closed and emitted a formal document with one copy for each of the parts. Thus the opposition RIGHT NOW has the final numbers even if it is not allowed to publish them. So does the government know, and so do the international observers. If fraud is still possible it will be very, very difficult to make it palatable for the country and the International community. Certainly much more difficult than the signature invalidation rules that the OAS and Carter Center objected in March.
Or is too late already to avoid electoral fraud in Venezuela?
Monday 31, May 2004
In an astounding development, Ezequiel Zamora, the vice president of the Electoral board, CNE, went solo for a very strong and delicate series of declarations and statements. Briefly resumed.
1)He has tried to obtain a meeting of the Board all through the day. Apparently it has been impossible, to the point that he decided to go solo at 6 PM. It is inconceivable that on a post election day the CNE cannot manage to gather. What explanation will give the three pro Chavez rectors? One could be missing, but three?
2)He has been deliberately lied to when he asked for the data as to how the signature validation process was going on. When finally they had to give in and give in the data they cut off his PC terminal on his office alleging some "programming problem".
3)He has stated that there is no way that a change in the rules will take place. This if course is an indirect acknowledgment of the buzz today as to an attempt once more by the pro Chavez rectors to modify the previous regulations to allow them to yet, again, modify the final results. This could be seen coming this way after the disgraceful presentation of Carrasquero, the president of the CNE yesterday.
4)To a journalist question as to rumors that the "validation books" were delayed in their arrival to the CNE because they were going first through Tiuna Fort (the military headquarters of the pro-Chavez factions within the Army) for appropriate doctoring, he told that if that were true then the CNE had no more business to do and could close shop. He promised to personally investigate after saying "I certainly hope that this is not happening".
5)He finished his declaration saying to the journalists that "if another rector dares to come here to make a rebuttal of my words, please wait for me, I will be right back". A definitive gauntlet to the pro Chavez majority. Is the CNE fianlly reaching the implosion point?
A fast reading of the situation: the CNE has seen the data, Chavez lost. And the pro-Chavez faction decided for the fraud, outright fraud even if Gaviria and Carter are still around. Zamora has sent them an ultimatum. All evidence so far seems to confirm a possible fraud, unaccountable delays, missing people. It is for the pro-Chavez rectors to come out and deny everything. We will be waiting expectantly.
More this evening, perhaps. Life time reporting again folks!
Note added in proof: for the record.
The opposition, quite upset about the rules change in January, AFTER the signature collection, a change in rules that allowed the pro Chavez faction to suspend 1.5 million signatures, had been negotiating really hard to make sure that such a scenario could not happen again. Yet...
In addition it must be noted that every day the validation centers closed and emitted a formal document with one copy for each of the parts. Thus the opposition RIGHT NOW has the final numbers even if it is not allowed to publish them. So does the government know, and so do the international observers. If fraud is still possible it will be very, very difficult to make it palatable for the country and the International community. Certainly much more difficult than the signature invalidation rules that the OAS and Carter Center objected in March.
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