Assorted rightwing umbrella group wants FAN to restore law and order

www.vheadline.com Posted: Monday, March 03, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

An umbrella group calling itself the Democratic Block has called on the Armed Force (FAN) to do its constitutional duty and re-establish law and order in Venezuela.  The group consists of 40 associations, the most prominent of which are rebel merchant navy officers union, the opposition Gente de Mar and Fuerza Solidaria (FS), an off shoot of the La Rouche Labor Party.

FS president, Alejandro Pena Esclusa says the group is drawing up a document and the FAN plays an important role … “the FAN has to defend citizens because the government is killing them … the FAN must intervene or we will have a dictatorship.”

Crimes against humanity, human rights abuses, threats against freedom of expression, attack on the autonomy of public powers and the government links with terrorist groups will also feature in the document. Personalities supporting the group include Alfredo Garcia, Alvaro Mora, Maruja Beracasa,  Altamira rebel, Silvino Bustillos and former self-proclaimed exile, Nedo Paniz.