www.vheadline.com Posted: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Machiques (Zulia) Mayor Alfonso Marquez has called on the government and the Environment & Renewable Resources (MARNR) Ministry for help to quench a brush fire that has devastated 1,000 hectares of forest in the Perija highlands extending to Aroy (River Macoita), Toromo (Negro River) and Karnapa (head of Apon River).

“There are 50 national park rangers and volunteers fighting the two-week blaze but it’s not enough … we need more volunteers and a helicopter with a special tank that can hold 1,000 liters of water. "

• Marquez says such equipment has been used to control fires in the Avila hills overlooking Caracas.

Yukpa Indians fear they may lose their means of livelihood, if the blaze continues and Mayor Marquez warns that water reservoirs may dry up shortly making the situation even more drastic.

www.vheadline.com Posted: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

5 forest fires have been reported yesterday afternoon in the Metropolitan area of Caracas ...  Puerta de Caracas, El Marques, Cota 905, the Tazon and El Junquito have been hit by fires as the summer drought continues and the country waits for the rainy season to start.

• Firefighters say 30 fires have been reported and brought under control in the last two weeks.

Caracas Fire Department commander Rodolfo Briceno says it has been one of the longest dry seasons he has experienced … “it’s been hard work compared to last year … there have been far more forest fires than last year when we tackled an average 10 fires a week.”

Fires, the tired firefighter says, are caused by the same old problems, namely bottles and cigarette butts thrown out of cars.  The State Civil Protection Department reports that there have been 300 fires this season so far.

www.vheadline.com Posted: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

While Organization of American States (OAS) general secretary, Cesar Gaviria is currently in Bolivia at the invitation of President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, 12 members of the Venezuelan government-opposition negotiating team are meeting this afternoon with OAS cabinet chief, Fernando Jaramillo and Carter Center’s Francisco Diez.

Sources indicate that negotiators will discuss electoral options. Opposition representative, Timoteo Zambrano has confirmed the opposition’s intention not to abandon the negotiating process, despite calls from more radical elements and the government’s alleged stonewalling on electoral issues.

“We will continue to explore electoral possibilities … it’s is far better than resorting to violence.”

It has been learned that Gaviria will travel to Brazil on Monday for a meeting of the six-nation Group of Friends.

www.vheadline.com Posted: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

The verbal war between Colombia and Venezuela is heating up as Colombian authorities say they are going to do something about alleged incursions of Colombian guerrillas into Venezuela.

Colombian secret police (DAS) chief in La Guajira, Luz Marina Rodriguez says the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and National Liberation Army of Colombia (ELN) are entering Venezuela via the Perija mountain range. "We are investigating the allegations … we know the former group uses Venezuela as a resting place.”

Colombian government sources accuse the Venezuelan government of turning a blind eye to the incursions.

• DAS chief in Arauca, Hugo Hernan Jimenez complains that guerrillas cross over to Apure on a permanent basis.

Two days ago, Federation of Colombian Municipalities director, Gilberto Toro claimed that top FARC leaders are actually hiding out in the Venezuelan jungle and accuses President Chavez Frias of turning a blind eye and letting the guerrilla chiefs use Venezuela as a distention zone.

www.vheadline.com Posted: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

The verbal war between Colombia and Venezuela is heating up as Colombian authorities say they are going to do something about alleged incursions of Colombian guerrillas into Venezuela.

Colombian secret police (DAS) chief in La Guajira, Luz Marina Rodriguez says the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and National Liberation Army of Colombia (ELN) are entering Venezuela via the Perija mountain range. "We are investigating the allegations … we know the former group uses Venezuela as a resting place.”

Colombian government sources accuse the Venezuelan government of turning a blind eye to the incursions.

• DAS chief in Arauca, Hugo Hernan Jimenez complains that guerrillas cross over to Apure on a permanent basis.

Two days ago, Federation of Colombian Municipalities director, Gilberto Toro claimed that top FARC leaders are actually hiding out in the Venezuelan jungle and accuses President Chavez Frias of turning a blind eye and letting the guerrilla chiefs use Venezuela as a distention zone.