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08/16/2004:

"President Chavez celebrates crushing referendum victory"

Independent UK
In a marathon poll marked by high voter turnout, Venezuelans have ratified the mandate of President Hugo Chavez in a recall referendum that represents a monumental boost to his government and ablow to his domestic and foreign opponents.

Ending hours of confusion, former American president Jimmy Carter, who helped monitor the referendum, endorsed the returns showing that the maverick president had won the vote. "Our findings coincided with the partial returns announced today by the National Elections Council [CNE]," Mr Carter told a news conference, and urged Venezuelans to accept the result.

The Organisation of American States, which also monitored the vote, said there were no indications of fraud. full article