Organization of American States (OAS) peace negotiations suspended once again

www.vheadline.com Posted: Friday, February 28, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

Organization of American States (OAS) facilitated peace negotiations have once again been suspended at the request of the government, which blames security concerns for the move. Talks were suspended last week due to OAS secretary general Cesar Gaviria's other commitments and were due to restart on Wednesday, but were delayed as opposition supporters marched and protested near the venue for the talks. 

Thursday's session was again canceled as government negotiators as a group of 50 sacked Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) employees gathered outside. 

The international community is calling on the government to advance with the negotiation process, but at the present time this looks difficult, particularly following the arrest of Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Fedecamaras) president Carlos Fernandez.