EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/454

(2004/C 88 E/0465)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3181/03

by Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(27 October 2003)

Subject: Sending EU representatives to observe the referendum on Chavez

The political, economic and institutional crisis in Venezuela is steadily worsening. Since Hugo Chavez's election as President of the Republic in 1998, a series of events have produced deep divisions among Venezuelans.

The extreme populism of Chavez, who claims to be conducting an imaginary ‘Bolivarian’ revolution, has given rise to a succession of electoral consultations whose sole result has been to produce violent street protests, months of strike action, deaths and injuries. The mediation carried out by former US President Jimmy Carter and the President of the Organisation of American States, César Gaviria, did not succeed in defusing the situation. Chavez has formed a close alliance with Castro, whose political and social model he claims to wish to follow in Venezuela. On one occasion, he even paid a visit to the dictator Saddam Hussein. His relations with the FARC, the violent narcocommunist guerrilla groups in Colombia, have been the subject of much controversy. At its most recent meeting, the Socialist International expressed a clear and severe condemnation of President Ugo Chavez's policies and methods. This has brought together a vast opposition movement comprising trade unions, businesses, traditional political parties and the media. All these forces, with the unequivocal support of the Catholic Church, have joined together in the ‘Coordinadora Democrática’. Following a failed attempt in August, this organisation has asked the National Electoral Council to initiatite the procedure for the collection of signatures with a view to holding a referendum within three months. The Venezuelan Constitution provides for the possibility of holding a Revocation Referendum, on a request from 20 % of voters, half-way through the term of office.

What action does the Commission intend to take to uphold the democratic rights of Venezuelans? What does it intend to do to reassure and protect the large Italian, Spanish and Portuguese communities?

Does President Prodi intend to approach Chavez directly with a view to allowing Commission representatives to visit the country in order to ascertain how EU cooperation funds are being used?

Does the Commission intend to support the sending of EU observers to monitor the collection of signatures for the referendum and ensure that the procedure is conducted in a democratic manner.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(11 December 2003)

The Commission is closely following the political situation in Venezuela. The EU has fully supported the OAS (Organisation of American States), together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Carter Centre in the tripartite working group, and the Group of Friends, in their efforts to facilitate a national dialogue. The EU, in several Declarations, has emphasised the need for a peaceful, democratic, constitutional and electoral solution. Besides, the Commission has offered financial and technical assistance for the implementation of the Agreement reached between the government and the opposition on 29 May 2003. In order to do so, the Commission signed a project to assist the OAS in its efforts to implement the Agreement, which comprises support for an electoral solution; investigation of the events of April 2002; and disarming the civilian population. The amount budgeted is EUR 600 000. The Commission is working with the OAS with a view to ensuring the project's timely implementation.

Furthermore, the Commission is following closely developments concerning a possible referendum/election and is prepared to consider providing support, possibly including electoral observation, if invited by the Venezuelan authorities to do so. Any decision to deploy an EU Electoral Observation Mission would depend on the recommendations made by a preliminary exploratory mission as to whether conditions on the ground are conducive to such a mission as well as needs, timing and financial capacities. In any case, a recall referendum or new elections could only take place if the necessary number of signatures is collected according to the Venezuelan constitution. As regards the collection of signatures to request a referendum to recall President Chávez, the CNE (National Electoral Council) has invited the OAS, the UNDP and the Carter Centre to act as observers, but no invitation has been addressed to the EU.

No specific actions to protect EU citizens in Venezuela have been taken at EU level. Their protection and support is normally ensured by their Member States of origin.

With respect to bilateral development cooperation, the Delegation of the Commission in Caracas monitors the implementation of the projects. Brussels-based Commission representatives visit the country regularly and have not experienced any difficulty accessing Commission projects. Neither they nor the Commission's Delegation in Caracas are aware of any indications of inappropriate use of cooperation funds.