Observers seek checks on referendum process
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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
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CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) -- International observers called on Monday for a closer check on Venezuela's referendum process as a row over verification threatened to disrupt plans for a recall vote against President Hugo Chavez.
The Organization of American States issued a statement urging Venezuelan electoral authorities to allow its observers greater access to the process of verifying opposition signatures seeking a referendum on the leftist leader's rule.
Venezuela's opposition has accused the populist president and his sympathizers in the National Electoral Council, which is checking the signatures, of trying to block a possible poll this year.
"We respectfully request that the council study the possibility of granting our observer mission access to two vital areas of the (signature verification) process," the OAS observer mission said.
Opposition leaders say they handed in 3.4 million pro-referendum signatures last month -- well above the 2.4 million required. Electoral authorities are due to announce in mid-February if and when a poll will be held.
Chavez, a former paratrooper elected in 1998, has said the opposition signatures are riddled with forgeries. Foes say his self-styled "revolution" is leading oil-rich Venezuela towards Cuba-style communism.
As the referendum dispute threatened to stoke up tensions in the world's No. 5 oil exporter, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter expressed support for the National Electoral Council after meeting its top officials in Caracas.
"The political future of Venezuela rests on their shoulders ... they have given us assurances that their decision will be open and transparent," he said.
The 2002 Nobel Peace Prize winner, who has closely followed the Venezuelan referendum process, was due to hold talks with Chavez on Monday.
OAS PULLOUT?
Observers fear that if the electoral council's decision in February is not accepted by all sides this could rekindle political violence in Venezuela, which was shaken by a brief coup against Chavez in 2002.
OAS observers have been monitoring some of the work of the National Electoral Council in checking the opposition pro-referendum signatures.
But the observers now want access to key technical committees inside the electoral body which have the final word on whether signatures should be accepted or rejected.
Diplomatic sources said that if this access was not granted, the OAS could consider withdrawing its observers.
"If the OAS doesn't get everything it needs, it makes no sense for it to be here," one source, who asked not to be named, told Reuters.
At the weekend, National Electoral Council Vice President Ezequiel Zamora, who is considered an opposition supporter, denounced what he called "attempted sabotage" of the signature checking process by some low-level electoral officials.
Council President Francisco Carrasquero insisted the process was proceeding normally, but Zamora's comments triggered alarm among opposition leaders, who demanded closer international scrutiny.
Chavez pledged Sunday to accept the National Electoral Council's final decision on whether a referendum will be held, and he urged his opponents to do the same.
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Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
