Venezuela's opposition scales down strike action

www.dw-world.de   Venezuela's opposition has declared its 63-day general strike ended, except in the oil sector, and has switched tack by launching a non- binding petition telling President Hugo Chavez to hold elections. A defiant Chavez claimed he had defeated strikers, saying oil production was approaching two million barrels per day, around two-thirds the normal level. Strikers put output at one million. Chavez has also rejected an early election, saying the constitution did not allow a referendum until August