Feuding Venezuelan sides agree non-violence pact

world.scmp.com Tuesday, February 18, 2003 VENEZUELA REUTERS in Caracas Updated at 11.15am:

Venezuela's government and opposition agreed overnight (HK time) 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 Organisation of American States and backed more recently by a six-nation group led by the US

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 later on Tuesday.

''We have finished the round of negotiation and dialogue to complete a declaration against violence,'' General 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.

Mr 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.