Venezuelan strike to end, but not protest

www.orlandosentinel.com By Jorge Rueda | The Associated Press Posted January 31, 2003

CARACAS, Venezuela -- With many opponents of President Hugo Chavez's preparing to return to work, Venezuelans leading a 60-day-old strike shifted tactics Thursday, attempting to shorten his six-year term with international help.

After two grueling months, strike organizers have agreed to let shopping malls, banks and schools reopen next week.

As diplomats from six nations headed to Caracas on Thursday to push for early elections, opposition leaders were planning a petition drive to support several measures, including a proposed constitutional amendment that would:

• Cut presidential terms from six years to four.

• Hold new presidential and congressional elections this year.

• Create a new elections council to organize any vote.

• Get the Supreme Court to determine when, exactly, a recall vote on Chavez's presidency can be held.

• Allow Chavez and legislators to seek re-election.

Similar ideas were floated by former President Jimmy Carter during a recent visit to Caracas. The government said it was studying the opposition's proposal but won't allow it to shorten Chavez's term.

Diplomats from the United States, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Portugal and Spain -- dubbed the "Group of Friends" of Venezuela -- planned a private dinner meeting late Thursday with Cesar Gaviria, secretary-general of the Organization of American States. Gaviria has mediated talks here since November.

The envoys, including Curt Struble, acting U.S. assistant secretary of state for the Western Hemisphere, planned meetings with Chavez and the opposition today.

Gaviria said the diplomats can monitor compliance with any electoral pact and reduce tensions that have led to six deaths since the strike began Dec. 2.

Strike leader Manuel Cova of the Venezuelan Workers Confederation said Thursday that a new presidential election could be held as early as March.

"To do this we need the guarantees of the international community," Cova said. "If we don't do it this year, we'll be in prison, or in exile, there won't be press freedom. We must do it this year."

Chavez had welcomed Carter's ideas about early elections. But he also has threatened to abandon the OAS-mediated talks, saying he won't negotiate with "terrorists."