Venezuelan Opposition Eases General Strike, Pushes Petition Drive

www.voanews.com VOA News 02 Feb 2003, 00:05 UTC

The Venezuelan opposition has eased its 62-day strike and says businesses can resume activity in the coming days, except for the crucial oil industry.

The opposition says it is still demanding the ouster of President Hugo Chavez, but decided to ease the strike to limit the economic harm to Venezuelans.

Opposition leaders devoted Saturday to preparing for a massive drive Sunday seeking signatures for several initiatives aimed at cutting short the president's term in office, including a call for a constitutional amendment.

The petition drive gained new momentum after a recent Venezuelan Supreme Court ruling blocked a non-binding referendum on Mr. Chavez that was to be held Sunday.

Meanwhile, businesses, industries, schools and shopping centers are expected to resume work starting Monday. The strike was to continue in the oil industry, which is crucial to the Venezuelan economy. Oil production is currently about one-third of its pre-strike level.

The decision to ease the strike came in response to pressure from the "Friends of Venezuela" group, a forum made up of the United States and five other nations who have been trying to help the Organization of American states broker an end to Venezuela's bitter political stalemate.

Diplomats from the six nations have been meeting with the president and opposition members to try to find a solution acceptable to both sides. The group is calling on both sides to accept proposals set forth by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter to end the strike. The Carter proposals call for either a recall referendum in August or a constitutional amendment to allow for early elections.