Chavez's foes plan long protest

www.dailynews.com209541136934,00.html Article Last Updated: Saturday, January 25, 2003 - 10:42:32 PM MST By Associated Press

CARACAS, Venezuela -- At least a hundred thousand Venezuelans -- many equipped with tents, inflatable mattresses and foldout chairs -- parked themselves on a Caracas highway Saturday in what they said would be their longest protest yet against President Hugo Chavez.

Shouting "until he goes!" the protesters blanketed a stretch of nearly three miles, prepared to spend the night. On the advice of organizers, many also brought water, sun hats, portable TVs and radios to help while away the hours.

Police at the scene estimated the crowd at between 200,000 and 300,000 people. Caracas fire chief Rodolfo Briceno said at least 100,000 were present.

"Prepare yourself for the longest protest in history!" screamed TV commercials and newspaper ads in the opposition-run media.

The opposition is trying to recover from a Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday that postponed indefinitely a Feb. 2 referendum that would have asked citizens whether Chavez should resign. Although the referendum wouldn't have been binding, opponents had hoped a negative outcome would persuade Chavez to quit.

Opponents had gathered 2 million signatures to petition for the vote. They backed up their demand by launching a devastating national strike Dec. 2 and staging daily street protests. Six people have been killed during protests since the strike began.

The opposition Democratic Coordinator movement is gathering signatures to demand a constitutional amendment that would pave the way for early elections. The amendment would involve cutting Chavez's six-year term to four.

Former U.S. President Carter proposed a similar plan while attending negotiations between the government and opposition in Caracas last week. His Atlanta-based Carter Center, the Organization of American States and the United Nations are co-sponsoring the talks.

Carter proposed a second plan that would have both sides prepare for a binding referendum on Chavez's rule in August, the midway point of his term.