‘Fair’ Vote Expected in Venezuela

WASHINGTON – A New York congressman who met recently with Hugo Chavez says he expects Sunday’s referendum to recall the embattled Venezuelan president to be free and peaceful, despite fears of election turmoil in the oil-rich country that could send record-high energy prices even higher.Rep. Gregory Meeks, a Democrat, said he plans to be one of many international monitors who will oversee the California-style recall that could remove the populist leader, who survived a failed coup attempt in 2002 and national strikes.“I came away feeling confident that it is going to be a free, fair, and open election come Sunday,” said Mr. Meeks. He met with Mr. Chavez and opposition leaders in Caracas last week as part of a bipartisan congressional delegation.“I met with [Mr. Chavez] for over an hour just reinforcing to him the importance of his government being fair and open to promote democracy,” said the congressman, who represents southeast Queens. “He was forthright and said he understood he has nothing to gain from not having an open election.”But yesterday, Mr. Chavez lashed out as his opponents, calling them lackeys of America. He accused President Bush of funding the recall campaign, and he said he would not be surprised if the CIA was backing efforts to destabilize his government – though he acknowledged he had “no proof,” the Associated Press reported.“At this stage, our victory is inevitable,” Mr. Chavez said at a news conference. “The advantage that we have over the opposition is such that any surprises are impossible. Absolutely impossible.”Meanwhile, tens of thousands of his opponents marched through Caracas, in their biggest display of strength in campaigning ahead of the vote.In New York, more than 1,800 Venezuelans have registered to vote through the Venezuelan consulate.His opponents criticize his strong-arm leadership and fear he intends to turn the country into a Cuban-style socialist dictatorship. To oust him, they must raise more than the 3.8 million votes he received in 2000 when he was elected to a six-year term with roughly 60% of the vote.Mr. Chavez’s popularity had plummeted, but has recently rebounded thanks to promises of massive social spending aimed at the poor.The high stakes and unpredictable outcome are influencing both sides to strive for a credible outcome, said Mr. Meeks.“Both sides seem to be confident that their side would win, so it would be in their interest that the election be free and fair,” said Mr. Meeks, a member of the House International Relations committee, who said he has met Mr. Chavez on roughly 15 congressional trips.Mr. Chavez has been a sharp critic of American policy and attempts to expand free trade in the hemisphere. He blamed the Bush Administration for an attempted coup in 2002, although the American government said it was not involved.Critics of Mr. Chavez in America say he has helped financially support the Cuban dictator, Fidel Castro.Mr. Meeks said they did not discuss the relationship with Cuba.“He clearly has some relations with Castro, he doesn’t hide that fact, but also has relations with [President Luiz Inacio] Lula [da Silva] in Brazil, who is doing tremendous things in Brazil. Unlike Cuba, there is clearly a democracy happening in Venezuela not happening in Cuba,” he said.Mr. Meeks said the presence of international observers will be key to the credibility of the election.“I got a feeling from the opposition that they were nervous as long as the OAS [Organization of American States] and the Carter Center was there as observers, they felt it would be fair and accurate and they would be ready to accept whatever the outcome of the election would be,” he said.

‘Fair’ Vote Expected in Venezuela

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