Strike idles multinationals

Companies feeling the effects of work stoppage Associated Press www.hoosiertimes.com

VALENCIA, Venezuela — Graciela Martinez can't serve Coca-Cola in her small diner, located just around the corner from Venezuela's Coca-Cola bottler in the high desert city of Valencia.

Coke, like many products produced by multinationals in a vast industrial park in the city, has been virtually impossible to get since Venezuela's opposition began a strike Dec. 2 to demand that President Hugo Chavez call early elections.

Officials at Coca-Cola and other multinationals say they haven't joined the strike. They just can't operate in the volatile economic and political climate that has engulfed Venezuela.

"We are a totally apolitical company," said Jorge Jezerskas, spokesman for Panamco, the Coca-Cola bottler in Venezuela.

"But for 36 days, our suppliers haven't been able to send us raw materials. If our drivers can get enough gas to make a delivery, then they aren't sure they'll be able to get gas to come back. What can we do?"