http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-chavez17aug17.story Venezuela's Chavez Defeats Recall; Foes Reject Results
Leftist leader draws 58% support in balloting endorsed by monitors. Oil markets are relieved.
By Carol J. Williams
Times Staff Writer
August 17, 2004
CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez convincingly defeated a recall effort, election results showed Monday, ending more than two years of efforts to eject him from office in a vote that international observers deemed free and fair.
<snip>
In Washington, State Department spokesman Kurtis Cooper urged Venezuelan electoral officials "to allow a transparent audit to address any concerns and assure Venezuelan citizens that the referendum was free and fair." He stopped short of accepting the observers' endorsement.
Earlier, another State Department spokesman said the high turnout marked a victory for Venezuelan democracy. "The importance of this process is ensuring that the will of the Venezuelan people be heard," said Tom Casey. "The idea behind the referendum process and the referendum was to provide for a solution to Venezuela's political crisis that all parties could live with."<snip>
Voters in Sunday's balloting used a complicated new electronic touch-screen system and also underwent digital fingerprinting to prevent multiple voting.<snip>