(17 Aug 2004)
1. Wide of State Department spokesman Adam Ereli walking towards podium
2. SOUNDBITE (English), Adam Ereli, State Department Spokesman:
"We believe that now with this referendum having been taken and the preliminary results being endorsed by a variety of groups, that now it is up to the Venezuelan people and government to move forward. And we certainly congratulate the people of Venezuela on how they have managed this. There are obviously still some concerns about some voting issues, and we call on international observers to help conduct a transparent audit that will address those remaining concerns as part of a process of national reconciliation."
3. Cutaway of audience
4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Adam Ereli, State Department Spokesman:
"What we're saying today is that those principles, in our view and in the view of the friends of Venezuela, have largely been followed. And the results are there for everybody to see: a peaceful referendum that was conducted transparently and that resulted in a people expressing their will, and now it's time to respect that will and move on."
5. Wide of reporters surrounding podium after press briefing
STORYLINE:
The US State Department on Tuesday congratulated Venezuelans on their "transparent" referendum on whether or not to recall President Hugo Chavez.
"The results are there for everybody to see: a peaceful referendum that was conducted transparently and that resulted in a people expressing their will, and now it's time to respect that will and move on," said State Department Spokesman, Adam Ereli.
He also called on international observers to investigate concerns about "some voting issues" from the referendum on Sunday.
With 94 percent of the votes tallied, the National Electoral Council said 58 percent of voters rejected the recall, an insurmountable lead.
The results were endorsed by the Organisation of American States and the Carter Centre, but Chavez foes alleged widespread fraud and refused to acknowledge the president's triumph at the polls.
Venezuelans are deeply divided between those who view Chavez as a champion of the nation's poor majority and those who fear he is establishing a communist dictatorship.
The United States has clashed with Chavez in the past, although Venezuela supplies the United States with 14 percent of its crude oil.
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