Cablegate: Post-Election Scenesetter for Codel Delahunt/Meeks

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DEPT FOR H AND WHA/AND

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV VE
SUBJECT: POST-ELECTION SCENESETTER FOR CODEL DELAHUNT/MEEKS

1. (SBU) Representatives Delahunt and Meeks are already very
familiar with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (BRV).
They will be the first congressional visitors to come to
Caracas since their April 23-24 visit, and this visit comes
on the heels of President Chavez's re-election on December 3.
President Chavez won approximately 63 percent of the vote,
while opposition challenger and Zulia Governor Manuel Rosales
polled 37 percent. Despite a highly polarized political
environment, the December 3 election took place without major
incidents of violence.

2. (SBU) After his electoral victory, President Chavez
underscored his intention to "deepen" the "Bolivarian
revolution" and to launch "Socialism in the 21st Century,"
but he has not yet defined these political projects in any
detail. Chavez said he will form a commission to propose
amendments to the 1999 Venezuelan Constitution, one of which
almost certainly will allow Chavez to run for president again
in six years. He and his supporters are also discussing
holding a party conference in the first four months of 2007
to try to merge all the pro-government parties into a "single
revolutionary party."

3. (SBU) Rosales conceded defeat on election night in
statesmanlike fashion. Despite losing by a wide margin,
Rosales remains Venezuela's pre-eminent opposition leader.
His campaign received high praise from all elements of the
opposition, international observers, and even some Chavez
supporters. Since his defeat, Rosales has returned to his
Zulia Governorship, but he has also signaled his intention to
continue to lead a united opposition. Rosales has named his
own commission to propose changes to the Constitution. He
and his followers are also planning to make their Zulia-based
Un Nuevo Tiempo (UNT) a national party.

4. (SBU) The United States government commmended the
Venezuelan people for turning out in large numbers to
exercise their right to vote and Governor Rosales for
conducting an exemplary campaign in a difficult environment.
In addition, we have expressed our interest in working with
the Venezuelan government on issues of mutual interest. A/S
Shannon and Ambassador Brownfield have publicly and privately
reinforced that interest in recent days. Representatives
Delahunt and Meeks will have a timely opportunity to test the
BRV's willingness to engage on a practical, cooperative
agenda.

BROWNFIELD

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