Carter plans discussions with Chavez

www.canoe.ca Tuesday, January 21, 2003 By AP

CARACAS -- Violence continued in Venezuela yesterday as former U.S. president Jimmy Carter tried to jump-start negotiations between the government and opposition.

Supporters of President Hugo Chavez clashed with opposition marchers and one person was killed when shots were fired into the crowd.

The confrontation began when Chavez supporters tossed bottles and rocks at the marchers in the town of Charallave. Rioters set fire to vehicles and a stage for opposition speakers.

Six people have died in protests since the 50-day-old strike, intended to oust Chavez, started.

Carter, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in October, was to meet Chavez and attend negotiations sponsored the Organization of American States.

Carter's Atlanta-based Carter Center is also sponsoring talks. He arrived in Venezuela on Wednesday.

Oil production is down to 800,000 barrels a day. Venezuela is the world's fifth-largest petroleum exporter, producing three-million barrels a day before the strike.

The president of Venezuela's oil monopoly urged workers to return to work.

"I urge you as citizens, appealing to whatever reserves of rationality there may be, to stop these activities," Ali Rodriguez, president of Petroleos de Venezuela S.A, said on state TV.

Chavez has fired more than 1,000 white-collar PDVSA workers and has the support of Venezuela's military

Chavez's opponents say his leftist policies are driving the country toward economic ruin. They also say his autocratic style erodes democracy.