OAS chief Cesar Gaviria sees progress on revocatory referendum

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic news Posted: Friday, March 28, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

According to Organization of American States (OAS) secretary general Cesar Gaviria, progress is now being made in the search for an agreement on a revocatory referendum during the OAS-led negotiations between government and opposition representatives.

"We are moving forwards in a satisfactory fashion," and an agreement on an electoral solution to the political crisis now seems much nearer.

This comes after comments by Executive Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel that the government would be willing to sign an agreement to hold a revocatory referendum if certain conditions were included, particularly one allowing President Hugo Chavez Frias to stand in general elections if he was to lose the referendum.

During the talks agreement was reached that Rangel and opposition National Assembly deputy Alejandro Armas would be jointly responsible for helping to create the environment necessary within the media to hold such a poll.