Venezuela Govt., Wary Foes Sign Pact to End Battles
Thu May 29, 2003 01:55 PM ET By Pascal Fletcher
CARACAS, Venezuela (<a href=asia.reuters.com>Reuters) - Venezuela's government and opposition signed a pact on Thursday seeking to end their political conflict and smooth the way to a referendum on Hugo Chavez's presidency, but the road to a vote seemed cluttered with hurdles.
The accord recommended holding a referendum after Aug. 19 as the best way to end a crisis in the world's No. 5 oil exporter, where followers and foes of left-winger Chavez have been locked in bitter confrontation.
"This is a good agreement for all Venezuelans," said Organization of American States Secretary General Cesar Gaviria, who had spent more than six months coaxing the two sides into talking, often while violent clashes raged in the streets.
At least 50 people have been killed in political violence over the last 14 months. And a crippling opposition strike in December and January left behind a recession that could lead to still worse tensions.
Gaviria signed the pact in a Caracas hotel along with government and opposition representatives.
Although Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel signed on behalf of Chavez's government and praised the agreement, the document set no poll date and opposition leaders were skeptical that the populist president would submit to the referendum.
Under Venezuela's constitution, the opposition can call a referendum on Chavez's mandate after Aug. 19 -- halfway through his term -- only if they collect the signatures of at least 20 percent of voters.
But several important procedural steps need to be taken before the referendum can go ahead.
Opposition leaders fear that former paratrooper Chavez, who was elected in 1998, six years after failing to seize power in a botched coup, may still try to wriggle out of a referendum.
"This a president who permanently fails to keep his word," said Felipe Mujica of the Movement Toward Socialism party.
"LONG ROAD HEAD"
Opponents accuse Chavez of taking near-dictatorial powers after gaining political control of institutions like the National Assembly. They say he is trying to install Cuba-style communism in Venezuela.
Analysts said that while the accord, which commits both sides to avoiding violence, may help to ease tensions, it does not automatically guarantee a referendum.
"It's a small starting point ... but there's still a long road ahead ... There are a number of hurdles that need to be addressed and that could delay the process," Jose Cerritelli, an economist with Bear Stearns in New York, told Reuters.
The National Assembly, where Chavez supporters hold a slim majority, must first appoint a new National Electoral Council to set a poll date and verify the signatures collected. This could involve intense political infighting.
Chavez, who survived a coup last year, has also called for a check of the electoral register, which he says is full of errors.
Critics say these requirements could give him a chance to try to block the poll through legal maneuvers.
"But if Chavez tries to stall, he at least gets kicked in the teeth by international opinion," said Robert Bottome of Caracas-based VenEconomy consultants.
CAF says approves $300 mln financing for Colombia
Reuters, 05.29.03, 12:49 PM ET CARACAS, Venezuela, May 29 (Reuters) - The Andean Development Corp., or CAF, the financing arm of the Andean community, said on Thursday it had approved $300 million in financing for the Colombian government.
The Caracas-based multilateral lender said in a statement the financing would go to Colombian President Alvaro Uribe's programs to promote competition, social investment and efficiency in public administration in the Andean nation.
In 2002, CAF agreed to approve $3.5 billion in financing for Colombia though 2006.
Venezuelan sides to sign pact--Referendum on Chavez possible
Thursday, May 29, 2003 Posted: 1637 GMT (12:37 AM HKT)
CARACAS, Venezuela (CNN-AP) -- Opposition leaders said they would sign Thursday a political pact laying ground rules for a possible referendum on Hugo Chavez's presidency but voiced concern that there was no guarantee the vote would take place.
Leaders said they were disappointed by the agreement brokered by the Organization of American States after six months of talks designed to bring stability to a country rattled by a short-lived coup and a long, crippling strike.
The signing ceremony was scheduled to be witnessed by OAS Secretary-General Cesar Gaviria and diplomats from six countries who helped broker talks: the United States, Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Spain and Portugal.
The largest opposition party, Democratic Action, said it was not convinced the pact would prevent Chavez from delaying a referendum. The party vowed more street protests to ensure the vote occurs.
"We warn that a rogue government like Chavez's does not mean to honor any agreement," the party said in a statement late Wednesday. "The agreement by itself does not guarantee the realization of a recall referendum against Chavez. That's clear. It's clear the only thing that can guarantee it is popular pressure."
Other opposition parties and Venezuela's largest business association, Fedecamaras, had similar reservations. But they agreed it would put international pressure on Chavez to play by the rules.
President applauds agreement
The deal stipulates that current electoral laws cannot be amended by the Chavez-dominated Congress. To deter political violence, it requires authorities to disarm the population ahead of balloting and obliges the government to finance the vote.
On Tuesday, Chavez applauded the agreement, saying it would compel what he called a "fascist, coup-plotting" opposition to respect the constitution. Refusing to quit during the two-month strike, Chavez often noted that Venezuela's constitution allowed a referendum halfway through a president's term. That's August, in his case.
A two-month strike -- organized by Fedecamaras and Venezuela's largest trade union ended in February without achieving its goal of forcing early elections or Chavez's resignation. The protest almost paralyzed the world's No. 5 oil exporter, costing Venezuela US$6 billion. The economy shrank 29 percent in the first three months of 2003.
Opponents argue Chavez can no longer govern a country bitterly divided by those who fear he is becoming increasingly authoritarian and those who consider him a champion of the poor. They say they have the 2.5 million signatures required to petition for a referendum.
Election authorities must be named, signature and voter rolls verified, ballots printed and a date chosen before a referendum can be held.
Gaviria said Wednesday a referendum could be held in November if all those requirements were met.
The pact also provides for referendums on the terms of other elected officials. Chavez supporters want to revoke the mandates of several opposition legislators in a bid to increase the government's slim majority in Congress.
The revoking referendum in the Venezuelan Constitution
The revoking referendum is one of the most polemic points included in the agreement achieved by government and opposition at the Negotiation and Agreement Table. It is widely considered a way out of the current crisis facing Venezuela. The voting should be made as provided for in article 72 of the Venezuelan Constitution, which reads as follows:
Article 72: All magistrates and holders of other offices filled by popular vote are subject to revocation.
Once half of the term of office to which an official has been elected has elapsed, a number of voters constituting at least 20 percent of the voters registered in the appropriate constituency may file a petition for calling a referendum to revoke such official's mandate.
When a number of voters equal to or greater than the number of those who elected the official votes in favor of revocation, provided that a number of voters equal to or greater than 25 percent of the total number of registered voters have voted, the official's mandate shall be deemed revoked, and immediate actions shall be taken to fill the permanent vacancy pursuant to the Constitution and the law.
The revocation of the mandate for bodies shall be made in accordance with laws.
During the term to which the official is elected, only one petition to recall his/her mandate may be filed.