Opposition march postpones OAS peace negotiations

www.vheadline.com Posted: Thursday, February 27, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

A march by opposition supporters through the streets of Caracas has forced the postponement of Organization of American States (OAS) led peace negotiations which had been scheduled to restart in the afternoon after being suspended last week due to OAS secretary general Cesar Gaviria's previous commitments. 

The talks had to be postponed as thousands of marchers protested outside the Gran Melia de Caracas hotel where talks have been taking place.

The negotiations are now expected to restart today, Thursday, with opposition and government negotiators likely to discuss the arrest of Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Fedecamaras) president Carlos Fernandez and the arrest order for Confederation of Trade Unions (CTV) president Carlos Ortega, as well as the arrest orders for seven Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) rebels who are leading the ongoing strike action.

Opposition leaders claim the government has gone back on last week's no-violence agreement, but government officials insist the arrests are lawful.