<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Thursday, June 05, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Venezuelan Confederation of Trade Unions (CTV) general secretary, Manuel Cova denies that the opposition is holding back on appointing delegates to the liaison committee set up to follow through last week's negotiation agreement between government and opposition. 

"It's easier for the government side because it is President Chavez Frias who decides ... the opposition is slower as is customary in a democracy because we sit down and discuss things ... we consult before deciding."

Cova has confirmed that self-exile CTV president, Carlos Ortega will accompany him at the International Labor Organization (ILO) as Venezuelan representative, along with CTV legal adviser, Jesus Urbieta, currently president of the ILO Administration Council ... the three men have been accredited by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) ... only Cova is currently living in Venezuela.

The main topic the CTV will take to the ILO general assembly will be the fate of 20,000 Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) employees, who were dismissed for joining the national stoppage.

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Thursday, June 05, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Former CICPC chiefs say they are against the closure of the Police Detective Branch CICPC press office, arguing that it is a sad day for the journalists who have lost their jobs. 

Former General Commissioner, Florencio Garci ... who was sub-director for more than 5 years ...  argues that communication with and treatment of media representatives was very important for the police force.  " There has always been a press office ever since the force was founded." 

Garcia adds that that the press office acted as liaison between the force and private media, as well as a tribune that was useful in helping solve difficult cases,  disappeared persons and tortures. 

Former CICPC director, Eliseo Guzman remembers when one-time CICPC director, Carlos Fermin tried to close the press office soon after President Chavez Frias came to power.  "When I took over from Fermin, I re-opened the office ... journalists, like police officers, are public servants and merit respect." 

• It is not certain why the press office has been closed but Executive Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel had commented that the office has merely been transferred to another building. 

Movimiento Quinta Republica (MVR) deputy, Tarek William Saab has visited the CICPC to show his solidarity with the journalists ... "they are my friends ... I think the office could have been rescued ... many of the pieces written there have saved lives."  Saab says that the CICPC director has promised to relocate the press office at its Urdaneta Station.

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Thursday, June 05, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Scuffles broke out among deputies at the National Assembly (AN) after some opposition groups refused to budge from the President's podium, objecting to Movimiento Quinta Republica's (MVR) motion to reform House internal and debate regulations, among which are proposals to hold AN plenary sessions outside the Capitolio and committee meetings, even when there is no quorum and to eliminate the Legislation Committee. 

MVR claims that the idea behind the proposal is to promote citizen participation but the opposition alleges that the move is to mobilize MVR " flying columns" of supporters to harass opponents. 

Opposition deputies also protested the presence of "flying columns" circulating outside parliament gates throwing insults and threats at deputies as they entered Parliament ... US Ambassador Charles Shapiro was heckled by the columns as he left the Capitolio yesterday.

Causa R deputy, Enrique Marquez, who lost his specks in the melee,  accuses MVR of wanting to manipulate Parliament. 

Primero Justicia (PJ)  deputy, Julio Borges argues that the opposition had to react the way it did because the incident is a prelude to the closing of Parliament. 

PJ colleague, Liliana Hernandez, who seems hell bent on winning the super rebel award, joined in the punching and shoving ... so did senior parliamentarian Juan Jose Caldera , who exchanged blows with a MVR deputy, after the latter insulted his family. 

Accion Democratica (AD) parliamentary leader, Henry Ramos Allup rejected a call from AN president, Francisco Ameliach (MVR) to hold a session in front of El Calvario on Friday.  "Such a move can only be approved by decision of the chamber and that didn't happen ... furthermore, the government bench wants to expose us to the aggressions of political criminals."