Former Argentine President sees possible solution to Venezuelan conflict

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

After returning to Buenos Aires, former Argentine President Raul Alfonsin held talks with current President Eduardo Duhalde to discuss his recent visit to Venezuela and the country's political situation.

• Alfonsin told Duhalde that his visit to Venezuela had been positive and that he felt a solution to the conflict was "possible."

The Argentine opposition leader also said that President Hugo Chavez Frias was right not to facilitate a revocatory referendum, but conceded that the opposition was also within its rights to demand one. For a lasting solution to be reached "a climate of peace and tranquility" will be necessary.

Alfonsin visited Venezuela for ten days and held talks with key government and opposition leaders, he visit coming just days after Executive President Jose Vicente Rangel returned from a tour of Latin American countries, including Argentina, to explain Venezuela's political situation.

Alfonsin also commented on the absolute "freedom of the Venezuelan press" despite claims by opposition leaders to the contrary.