PV accuses government of turning April 11 anniversary into a Carnival

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela Electronic News Posted: Tuesday, March 25, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Proyecto Venezuela (PV) has publicly criticized the Venezuelan government's intention to turn April 11 into a town Carnival. PV policy director Maria Sol Perez Schael says 85 people died in April 11-14 and many small  storekeepers in barrio slum areas lost their businesses in the looting. 

"Since government-opposition negotiations started 7 months ago in the presence of Organization of American States (OAS)  general secretary, Cesar Gaviria, the opposition has tried to get a truth commission set up to see that justice is done ... the government has stalled every attempt to set up the commission." 

PV national coordinator, Luis Carlos Rubio says the government is incompetent in economic matters and is promoting more chaos in Venezuela. "Its exchange rate strategy is criminal and thankfully, there are voices, such as Economic Planning Minister  Felipe Perez, who are already talking about eventually eliminating the Exchange Administration Commission (Cavidi)."