Pressure growing for Chavez Frias/opposition to sign non-aggression pact

www.vheadline.com Posted: Friday, February 14, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Pressure is mounting on President Hugo Chavez Frias to cut the mustard and come up with proposals that would lead Venezuela out of the political crisis. Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorin kicked off the offensive two days ago, calling on Venezuelan Foreign Minister Roy Chaderton Matos to show some results.

According to one Brazilian newspaper, the Brazilian delegation attending the first Group of Friends meeting in Caracas is unhappy with the lack of results, especially the government’s failure to draw up an electoral timetable.

Chaderton Matos has told reporters that he is waiting for the President Hugo Chavez Frias’ approval before announcing a formal commitment.

Meanwhile in Spain, Basque Nationalist Party spokesman, Inaki Anasagasti (born in Venezuela) has urged Spain to adopt a more aggressive attitude and insist on a gesture from the government.

Organization of American States (OAS) general secretary Cesar Gaviria has added his voice to the growing chorus urging both sides to agree to a pact of non-aggression with corresponding mechanisms to enforce the agreement.

It now appears that the opposition has opted for a recall referendum in August as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution.