'Friends of Venezuela' Group to Meet in Caracas

www.voanews.com VOA News 30 Jan 2003, 22:58 UTC

Diplomats from six nations are set to meet with Venezuelan government and opposition leaders in Caracas Friday in the latest push to end the nation's political crisis.

The officials belong to the "Friends of Venezuela" group, which comprises Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and the United States.

The delegates are hoping to work out an electoral accord to end a long-running general strike that the opposition called last month to force President Hugo Chavez out of office.

They are expected to discuss proposals set forth by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter that call for either a recall referendum in August or a constitutional amendment to allow for early elections.

The Friends of Venezuela group was formed to lend diplomatic support to the Organization of American States, which has been mediating talks between the Chavez government and his opponents.

The meeting comes as the general strike, which began December second, shows signs of weakening. Venezuelan banking officials say banks will resume normal business hours next Monday, after operating on a limited schedule to support the walkout.

Striking oil executives also have acknowledged that output, which was virtually paralyzed several weeks ago, has now surpassed one million barrels per day.

Oil provides half of government income and 70 percent of export revenue. Before the strike began, Venezuela was the world's fifth-largest oil exporter.