OAS Gaviria Says Talks Stall on Venezuela Referendum on Chavez

By Peter Wilson

Caracas, April 25 (<a href=quote.bloomberg.com>Bloomberg) -- Organization of American States Secretary General Cesar Gaviria said talks between Venezuela's government and the opposition for a referendum on President Hugo Chavez have stalled.

Gaviria told reporters last night that a tentative agreement reached April 11 is no longer valid, and will have to be renegotiated.

``There are major differences between the two sides,'' Gaviria said. He gave no indication when talks would resume. They started eight months ago.

A referendum may end two years of protests and strikes by the opposition demanding that Chavez, a former army lieutenant colonel, resign or call early elections. Opponents agreed to a binding referendum to be held after August, the midpoint of Chavez's six-year term, after a two-month national strike failed

Chavez's Fifth Republic Movement political party said earlier this week it had at least six objections to the 22-point election accord, which calls for a referendum by Nov. 19. to force a non-binding vote in February. Last Updated: April 25, 2003 09:26 EDT