Feuding Venezuelan sides agree non-violence pact

www.forbes.com Reuters, 02.17.03, 8:06 PM ET

CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuela's government and opposition agreed Monday to an anti-violence pact to lower tensions and curb harsh rhetoric that often inflames their feud over the rule of President Hugo Chavez. The eight-point resolution was the first firm development from three months of frustrating talks guided by the Organization of American States and backed more recently by a six-nation group led by the U.S. But a source close to the negotiations said the document carried no sanctions and the feuding sides appeared no closer to a deal on elections to end their political conflict in the world's No. 5 oil exporter. The agreement includes references to freedom of expression, the media's role in promoting peace, condemns violence and also urges a toning down of aggressive language, the source said. OAS Secretary General Cesar Gaviria, who has guided the talks, said the government and opposition would sign the resolution Tuesday. "We have finished the round of negotiation and dialogue to complete a declaration against violence," Gaviria said. At least seven people have died in clashes or violence during rallies and marches since December when the opposition started a two-month strike that failed to oust a president who they accuse of ruling Venezuela like a dictator. Chavez, a retired paratrooper whose populist speeches are often laced with aggressive class warfare references, accuses his enemies and private media stations of being "terrorists" conspiring to topple him. But his opponents say the president has inspired his mostly poor followers to acts of violence with his tirades against the "rich elites" he says have long robbed the nation of its huge oil wealth. Chavez has recently stepped up his aggressive tone and toughened his stance since opposition leaders called off their strike that tried to push him from office by starving the state of its vital oil revenues. After introducing harsh currency controls to offset the economic impact of the shutdown, Chavez has threatened to close off access to dollars to opposition businesses. He warned on Sunday he would send troops to take over food plants that fail to comply with new price curbs on basic goods and services. He has also threatened to take off the air private TV and radio stations highly critical of his government. Opposition leaders fear a recently proposed law on social responsibility will be used to muzzle his foes. The combative Venezuelan leader, who led a bloody, botched coup bid six years before turning to the ballot box, has used troops and replacement crews to restart the oil sector. Rebel workers at the state oil firm PDVSA, more than 12,000 of whom have been fired for going on strike, have vowed to keep up a protest until Chavez leaves. The fate of the oil workers will prove a further sticking point during peace negotiations.