Former US President Reports Progress in Effort to End Venezuela Crisis

www.voanews.com VOA News 08 Feb 2003, 02:58 UTC

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter says the Venezuelan president and his opponents are making progress to end a nationwide crisis and a crippling strike.

Mr. Carter, who has been negotiating a resolution to the conflict, said Friday that the two sides are committed to a political agreement to end their differences.

He said Venezuela's constitution allows for a recall referendum or a constitutional amendment to allow for early elections.

Opponents of President Hugo Chavez have started collecting signatures for initiatives aimed at cutting short his term in office.

Mr. Carter has also been working with the head of the Organization of American States, Cesar Gaviria, in the resolution process.