[NYTr] Venezuelan Ambassador Predicts YES Victory in Referendum
 
Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2007 17:51:06 -0600 (CST)

Via NY Transfer News Collective  *  All the News that Doesn't Fit
 
Granma Daily - 24 November, 2007
http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/english/news/art63.html

Venezuelan Ambassador Predicts YES Victory in Referendum

Venezuelabs ambassador to Cuba, Ali Rodriguez is convinced that the Yes
vote on a package of constitutional reforms proposed by President Hugo
Chavez will win out on December 2.

The reforms on 69 articles of the 1999 constitution are designed to
facilitate moving the South American nation on the path to its model of
socialism.

The polls show that the Yes vote is ahead, but whatbs more, "Itbs not
only a majority, but a growing majority," said the diplomat in a press
conference before the foreign and local press.

However, Rodriguez noted that like never before the country has been
subjected to "a fierce media campaign" against a decision that concerns
the Venezuelan people "in exercising their sovereignty to define their
own destiny." He said it is "truly impressive to see the perfect
coordination established between the media powers against the
constitutional reform."

"Itbs curious how they debate whether Hugo Chavez should have the
possibility to be reelected when in 17 European countries that same
principal exists and isnbt questioned," said Rodriguez. "In Venezuela,
we have the difference that the law gives the people a recall mechanism
that doesnbt exist anywhere else." He noted that Chavez himself had to
face a recall referendum in 2004.

"He is a president that has faced 10 electoral tests in nine years,"
said the ambassador while recalling that throughout Europe politicians
have no legal term limits and nobody seems concerned.

Rodriguez explained that another aspect of the reforms recognize the
different types of property ownership.

The ambassador said there have been "violent actions" during the
campaign and that "the opposition is using certain student sectors."

Rodriguez said "those who call for abstention or a No vote are in
reality all one bloc." When asked about the betrayal of Ret. General
Raul Isaias Baduel he commented: "It hasnbt had an impact that could
change the majority Yes vote."

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