Opposition negotiators threaten to pull out of non-violence accord

www.vheadline.com Posted: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

Opposition negotiators are threatening to withdraw from the non-violence agreement that government and opposition negotiators agreed to last week, accusing President Hugo Chavez Frias of ignoring international conventions.

According to one of the negotiators, Timoteo Zambrano, the opposition will withdraw from the agreement if the international community continues to do nothing and if the government fails to comply.

"Chavez doesn't respect any international treaties or conventions," and he also questioned the role of the Organization of American States (OAS0 in the Venezuelan crisis.  The President told the international community not to interfere, but "when democracy is threatened in a country" the international community is obliged to take the necessary action."