Chavez Frias should have gone for a general elections instead of recall referendum

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Sunday, March 30, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Quinto Dia columnist Miguel Salazar says he is struck by the government's blessing of the recall referendum and has learned that younger military officers are not so happy either. 

"I think calling a general election would have been much better because in a general election the President would not be forced to burn bridges as he has by approving the recall referendum." 

If Chavez Frias loses, he has to go, period. 

If he wins, he may be tempted to accelerate the process which would not be convenient for Venezuela.

Salazar argues that general elections would clear the air and oxygenate the democratic system everyone wants to preserve. 

If Chavez Frias wins a general election, it could prepare the way for the necessary change as regards a correct strategy in tune with reality ... if he loses,  the power struggle will continue but attuned to democratic conscience. 

"Winning or losing a general election, it will push aside a political figure that is currently looming behind the recall referendum and what Salalzar describes as a Creole version of Anthony Quinn, namely a 'taita,' somebody like Rafael Caldera ... he has his imitators and would-be "national saviors" ... then, there is Carlos Andres Perez laying in wait in Santo Domingo.