abcnews.go.com The Associated Press CARACAS, Venezuela Feb. 4 —

Supporters of President Hugo Chavez opened fire Tuesday on the offices of Caracas' opposition mayor Tuesday, injuring four people in an attack that marred the government's commemoration of the 11th anniversary of a failed coup led by Chavez.

The brief assault on the offices of Mayor Alfredo Pena began after government officials, including Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel, honored the coup anniversary at a nearby plaza.

When Rangel and the other officials left the area, about 20 Chavez supporters fired handguns and threw rocks at city hall.

Three police officers and a civilian were injured, said the head of the mayor's security office, Ramon Muchacho. A fire official said the injuries were caused by rocks and sticks and that nobody was hit by the gunfire.

National guardsmen fired tear gas to disperse the rioters and arrested several. The mayor was not at city hall at the time of the attack.

The incident raised tensions as a 66-day-old opposition strike against Chavez was winding down. Six people have died in political violence since the strike began Dec. 2.

Earlier Tuesday, a government official rejected an opposition proposal to cut Chavez's term and instead suggested a referendum on Chavez's rule later this year to end the country's political crisis.

Ronald Blanco la Cruz, a government negotiator at talks mediated by the Organization of American States, said that under the government's proposal, opponents can start collecting signatures for a so-called recall referendum in August, halfway into Chavez's six-year term.

That was sure to infuriate the opposition, which says it already has collected more than 4 million signatures for a constitutional amendment ending Chavez's term this year and calling new elections.

Chavez repeatedly has pledged that a recall vote can be held in August not just that it can start to be organized, as indicated by Blanco la Cruz.

Blanco la Cruz, governor of Tachira state, also said the government has rejected the opposition's proposals to amend the constitution.

"Otherwise, people would start collecting signatures as soon as a president is elected," he told the government's Venezolana de Television.

Venezuela's constitution requires signatures from 20 percent of 11 million registered voters roughly 2.2 million people to demand a recall vote.

OAS Secretary General Cesar Gaviria has been mediating talks since November to try to end Venezuela's political deadlock.

He received a boost when former President Jimmy Carter laid out two options for Venezuela: a recall vote in August, or a constitutional amendment shortening Chavez's term to four years with an early election.

Jailed for two years after the failed coup attempt, Chavez was elected president in 1998 on an anti-poverty platform and re-elected in 2000. His current term ends in January 2007.

Citing economic and political turmoil, Venezuela's opposition launched the general strike Dec. 2 to seek his ouster.

The strike crumbled this week as workers in all industries except oil returned to their jobs. The government, meanwhile, raised oil production to 1.2 million barrels a day, up from 1.1 million barrels over the weekend, according to dissident staff at the state oil company.

Venezuela produced 3.2 million barrels a day before the strike. It is a major supplier of crude to the United States and the world's fifth-largest petroleum exporter.

Venezuela was expected to add 200,000 more barrels per day in the coming weeks, staff at Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. said.

Fear of bankruptcy and shortages of gasoline and other essentials prompted leaders to end the strike. But they proclaimed victory, saying the strike had drawn pressure from the international community on Chavez to resolve the stalemate.

Some analysts disagreed.

The strike reflected "the disorganization of the opposition," said Riordan Roett, director of Western Hemisphere studies at Johns Hopkins University. "It was anti-Chavez but never pro-anything. What were they going to replace Chavez with?"

usinfo.state.gov 04 February 2003 (Proposals follow views set forth by Secretary Powell) (500) By Eric Green Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- Venezuela's political impasse must be resolved peacefully and democratically, says a group of six nations working together to help the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) find a negotiated solution to the problems dividing that Andean nation.

Reiterating the views set forth recently by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, the "Group of Friends" said in a formal statement that an end to the crisis in Venezuela must be found within the framework of the Venezuelan Constitution, and "with respect for the legitimate government" of the country's president, Hugo Chavez. The Group issued the statement January 31 following its meeting in Caracas with Chavez and the political opposition, an umbrella organization called the Democratic Coordinator.

The Group of Friends of the Facilitation Process in Venezuela, as it is formally known, was created in January 2003 and consists of the United States, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Portugal and Spain. The Group said in its latest statement that the solution to Venezuela's problems must be made by the Venezuelan people and "with respect for the country's sovereignty."

The Group said it applauds a proposal from the Democratic Coordinatorfor an electoral solution to the situation. The Group said it also welcomes the Venezuelan government's indication "that it will present its own points of view related to this important matter next week."

Another "positive element" for resolving the crisis, the Group said, were proposals introduced by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Under one proposal outlined by Carter, Venezuela's government and the opposition would agree to a recall referendum -- consistent with the Venezuelan Constitution -- that would determine if Chavez should leave office. An alternate proposal offered by Carter calls for the government and the opposition to agree to a constitutional amendment to permit early general elections.

OAS Secretary General Cesar Gaviria has expressed hope that the proposals could open the door in Venezuela to an electoral agreement, which he said was the main outstanding issue still to be resolved at the negotiating table.

In its statement, the Group of Friends reiterated its offer "to help see that the accords that the parties reach in this process are respected." The Group also expressed a willingness to reconvene "when the evolution of circumstances in Venezuela or the facilitation efforts of the OAS Secretary General merit such a meeting."

Secretary Powell said January 24 that the United States believes the only solution to the crisis in Venezuela is a "peaceful, constitutional, democratic and electoral process" agreed to both by Chavez and the political opposition.

"At the end of the day, it is the Venezuelans themselves who must find solutions to their problems," Powell added. "It is my profound hope, and my confident belief, that the Secretary General's continued work, the Friends Group's sustained efforts, and President Carter's valuable contributions will help them do so."

(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: usinfo.state.gov)

This site is produced and maintained by the U.S. Department of State's Office of International Information Programs (usinfo.state.gov). Links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.

canadaeast.com As published on page A1/A2 on February 4, 2003

(THE DAILY GLEANER - STEPHEN MACGILLIVRAY PHOTO) A tank of gas is going to cost more today after a sharp jump in prices in the Fredericton region Monday. Many stations are now charging 82.9 cents per litre for self serve. RICHARD DUPLAIN The Daily Gleaner

The price of gasoline in the Fredericton area has increased again - in some cases by as much as five cents a litre. On Monday morning, the price of self-serve gas at most stations was 77.9 cents per litre. By afternoon, however, the same gas was selling for 82.9 at many places. "There's not much we can do about the prices," said Craig Stairs, who operates an engine machine shop on Clark Street. "There always seems to be a bit of a difference in the price of gasoline throughout the city." Stairs was filling up at the Irving Mainway on King Street in preparation for a trip to Maine where he will pick up some engine parts. "I'm going to fill up there," he said, suggesting the price of gas in the U.S. may be better. He said the different prices at gas stations around the city on Tuesday may be more of an indication that store owners are growing weary of the up-and-down. "They are probably tired of changing the signs," he said. "I expect the prices will continue to go up," said Leanne Price, who travels to work each day from Newmarket. She said she has been watching the gas prices going up and falling back but seemed resigned to the shifts. "I have no idea why," she said. "We have to pay no matter what the price and cursing about it doesn't do any good." Mike Ross was filling his tank at the PetroCan on Prospect Street. There, the price was 82.9 for regular, 86.9 for plus and 89.9 for super. "Prices are going up and down like everything else," he said. He added that even with gas regulation on Prince Edward Island the prices there last weekend were not much different or better than prices in New Brunswick. "They were cheaper on Friday but on Saturday the prices were similar to those in Moncton on Sunday," he said. "I don't know why the prices are fluctuating so much. I suppose the situations in Venezuela and Iraq add to the mess and it will be something we'll have to put up with." Gasoline prices took a dramatic jump Dec. 18 but remained stable for more than 10 days. On Dec. 31, prices skyrocketed to beyond the 80 cents a litre mark. Prices saw little fluctuation during January until the end of the month when the price of regular gas bottomed out at 77.9 cents a litre. The respite was short-lived, however, and Monday prices at some gas stations jumped by five cents. Gas stations in the area are now selling regular unleaded fuel anywhere from 77.9 cents a litre to 82.9 cents per litre. The cheapest price this morning could be found at the Wulastook Convenience Store at Kingsclear. It was selling regular gas at 75.9 cents a litre and 82.9 for its top-grade gasoline. At Canadian Tire on Prospect Street, consumers will pay 82.9 cents per litre for regular, 85.9 for mid-grade and 83.9 for high octane. At press time, Irving stations at the Fredericton bypass and the Mainway on King Street were selling their gasoline at different prices. Regular unleaded gasoline goes for at 82.9, 86.9 for plus, 90.9 for supreme and 82.9 for diesel at the bypass while the Mainway on King Street is selling regular gas for 77.9, 81.9 for plus, 85.9 for supreme and 79.9 for diesel. The Ultramar on Dundonald Street is selling regular gasoline at 77.9 cents per litre and 80.9 for plus and 83.9 for supreme. The By-Pass Esso Convenience and Postal Outlet on the Woodstock Road is selling regular gasoline at 82.9 cents per litre, 85.9 for extra and supreme goes for 87.9.

examiner.com Publication date: 02/04/2003 BY ALEXANDRA OLSON Associated Press

    CARACAS, Venezuela -- Workers in all sectors but the vital oil industry returned to their jobs Monday, abandoning a two-month general strike that devastated Venezuela's economy but failed to oust President Hugo Chavez.

    As life began returning to normal in stores, factories and banks, the government made gains toward restoring oil production to pre-strike levels in a nation that is a major supplier of crude to the United States and the world's fifth-largest petroleum exporter.

    The fear of bankruptcy and shortages of gasoline and other essentials prompted leaders to end the strike, which began Dec. 2, said Albis Munoz, vice president of the country's biggest business chamber, Fedecamaras.

    Chavez, elected in 1998 and re-elected in 2000, vows to defeat his opponents in the streets and at the ballot box. He said Sunday he will prosecute strike leaders for sabotaging the economy.

    Venezuela's opposition still hopes to generate global pressure for new elections.

    The strike reflected "the disorganization of the opposition," said Riordan Roett, director of Western Hemisphere studies at Johns Hopkins University.

    "It was anti-Chavez, but never pro-anything. What were they going to replace Chavez with?" Roett said.

    Lines disappeared at banks, traffic jams reappeared and janitors swept the halls at Caracas' multistory Sambil shopping mall Monday in anticipation of today's opening.

    The strike "lasted too long and now we are paying the consequences," said Luis Lange, 24, an electronics store manager.

    Like Lange, hundreds of thousands of businessmen had counted on holiday sales to make up for last year's poor sales.

    According to the Fedeindustria business chamber, the fallout from the strike and continuing recession will cost 200,000 jobs and close more than 20,000 small- and medium-sized businesses by August.

    Chavez also fired more than 5,000 striking oil workers.

    Lack of oil and tax income forced Chavez to cut 10 percent from Venezuela's $25 billion budget for 2003. Economists forecast the economy will shrink 25 percent this year after an 8 percent contraction in 2002.

    Venezuela's crude oil output rose to 1.2 million barrels per day Monday, compared with 1.1 million barrels over the weekend, according to dissident staff at the state owned monopoly Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A.

    That is about a third of normal production, but Venezuela is expected to add 200,000 more barrels per day in the coming weeks, the staff's daily report said.

reuters.com Tue February 4, 2003 01:41 PM ET By Pascal Fletcher

CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who has survived a two-month strike he blames on opposition "coup mongers," on Tuesday taunted his frustrated opponents by celebrating the anniversary of a botched coup bid he led in 1992.

Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel and other ministers attended a religious service and laid a wreath in Caracas to commemorate the Feb. 4, 1992 uprising in which left-winger Chavez, then an unknown paratroop lieutenant-colonel, attempted a failed assault against the presidential palace.

Chavez, who distributed land titles Tuesday in poor west Caracas, served two years in jail for the coup attempt. The publicity he gained launched him on the path to the presidency, which he won with widespread support in a 1998 election.

Tuesday's government celebration of Chavez's unsuccessful coup bid infuriated opposition leaders. They are already frustrated over the failure of their strike launched more than nine weeks ago to try to force the president from office.

Several hundred Chavez supporters, many wearing the red paratrooper's beret that is the symbol of his self-styled "revolution," attended the official commemoration of Chavez's 1992 coup bid. "This is a day of dignity," pro-Chavez housewife Miriam Bolivar told Reuters in downtown Caracas.

Two policemen were later hurt when clashes broke out between police and stone-throwing pro-Chavez militants.

The opposition strike has pushed the oil-reliant economy into crisis, forcing the government to cut spending and prepare foreign exchange controls expected this week.

he opposition strike, which slashed oil production in the world's No. 5 petroleum exporter, was scaled back Sunday to continue only in the oil sector. It has pushed the oil-reliant economy into crisis, forcing the government to cut spending and prepare foreign exchange controls expected this week.

Chavez says his government is restoring the strike-hit oil industry and that oil production is fast approaching 2 million barrels per day (bpd), two thirds of pre-strike levels. Opposition strikers put current output at 1.2 million bpd.

In a switch of tactics, opposition leaders grouped in the Coordinadora Democratica coalition are now relaunching a determined political campaign to try to trigger early elections to oust the president, who has ruled for four years.

COUP ACCUSATIONS FLY

Chavez, who was briefly deposed by a short-lived coup last year, repeatedly vilifies his foes as "oligarchs," "terrorists" and "coup mongers." They condemn his rule as corrupt and inept, say he is seeking to install Cuba-style communism and accuse him of obstructing their campaign for early elections.

"The world has seen that while the Coordinadora Democratica insists on seeking an electoral solution, the president and his government are using all kinds of tricks and maneuvers to try to block a vote," opposition negotiator Americo Martin said.

"So, who are the coup-mongers and who are the democrats?" he told Reuters.

Chavez argues that his 1992 coup bid, in which 14 people were killed and more than 50 injured, was a legitimate military rebellion against what he said was the corrupt rule of then President Carlos Andres Perez.

Since last year's April coup that deposed him for 48 hours, Chavez has purged his military enemies from the armed forces and now appears to have backing from within the barracks.

Organization of American States Secretary General Cesar Gaviria, backed by a six-nation "group of friends" including the United States and Brazil, is trying to help the government and the opposition to agree a political deal on elections.

Chavez's government on Monday rejected an opposition proposal to cut short his mandate and trigger early elections through an amendment to the constitution. In a nationwide operation on Sunday, opposition leaders said they had collected more than four million signatures backing the constitutional amendment.

Dashing hopes for quick elections to solve the Venezuelan crisis, which has rattled world oil markets amid fears of a U.S. war on Iraq, Chavez's government says its foes must wait until Aug. 19, halfway though the president's current term.

After that date, the constitution allows for a binding referendum on Chavez's rule.

But the opposition, which appears divided over strategy and lacks a clear leader to challenge Chavez, wants elections sooner, or at the latest on Aug 19, the date suggested by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter who backs the peace talks. (Additional reporting by Ana Isabel Martinez)