OAS chief Cesar Gaviria hopeful of eventual success in electoral agenda

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Friday, April 04, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

According to Organization of American States (OAS) secretary general Cesar Gaviria, government and opposition leaders have found common ground in the pursuit of an electoral solution to Venezuela's ongoing political crisis, and an agreement on an electoral solution may not be too far away.

Following the week's last session Gaviria said "after the discussion on an eventual agreement, government and opposition negotiators have found some common ground to work on towards an agreement."

This follows comments from Executive Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel several days ago that the government was ready to discuss a possible revocatory referendum, providing President Hugo Chavez Frias would be given the opportunity to stand in general elections should be fail to win the referendum.

The OAS-led negotiations are set to resume again next week to further discuss the proposal, which under the current Constitution could see elections as soon as August this year.