Originally Posted by Beatriz Marinello

"Beatriz cannot vote for anyone, as she is
not the USCF's Delegate."

This statement is correct, I do not have a vote in the upcoming
Presidential election, only our FIDE Delegate votes on behalf of the
USCF.

The General Secretary position was offer to me, regardless of my
personal opinion on the upcoming election presidential election. Each
Federation has its own criteria to decide on their votes.

I voted to endorse Bessel Kok to support the wishes of my federation.
However, during the discussion I made the point that I believe that
the situation in FIDE is improving.

I consider that has been an error to allow affirmations of corruption
and personal attacks to be use as part of the Bessel Kok campaign,
which by the way do not appear with concrete facts or proves. These
statements has harmed Mr. Kok more than what it has been benefited.
Thinking that the votes of the national Federations will be influenced
by rumors it?fs like underestimating the analytical abilities of our
leaders. Insinuating that they are economic irregularities in ticket
where they appear Mr. Nigel Freeman and David Jarrett is ridiculous
and offensive.

In order to make a good assessment of the situation, it is necessary
to analyze the facts; FIDE is composed by 160 national Federations of
which 100 are developing Federations. It is important to also an
analyze of the contributions that each candidates have made to chess
and history of the development of the chess.

In addition, an other important consideration is in relation to the
aftermath of the presidential election.

My personal position has been in favor of neutrality. I do not
believe in the Bessel Kok FIDE team, on the other hand I would like to
be supportive of my own federation. I have been put under a
tremendous pressure to campaign for Bessel Kok in the Americas, and
when I declared that I remained neutral as I am intending to do, a
motion to force me to take a position was submitted. At the last USCF
Board meeting, the emotions run high.

I would like to request to the board and the USCF members to respect
and accept my position of neutrality. The USA is a free country, many
of us came here to escape from repression and undemocratic regimes. I
grow up in a dictatorship, I never had a chance to vote until I became
US Citizen in the year 2000. I am loyal to my federation, but I
cannot go against my personal believes.

Beatriz Marinello