Light to be seen at end of tunnel for Venezuela's Truth Commission?

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Sunday, April 27, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

The proposed Truth Commission under parliamentary discussion for the last year is still dangling in uncertainty, despites assurances from National Assembly deputy Guillermo Palacios that the law could be passed on May 6. 

Last Friday, the deputies agreed to hold a second reading bringing the commission into being on May 6 ... but some opposition members are already raising objections to some clauses, alleging that the government bench is stalling to avoid possible posterior legal actions against President Hugo Chavez Frias for his alleged part in the events of April 11, 2002. 

Accion Democratica (AD) deputy, Wilfredo Febres accuses the government bench of lacking political will and of filling the commission with flunkies, such as members of the Tupamaros urban guerrilla group and Bolivarian Circles. 

Although deputy Palacios is optimistic that the law will be passed, most observers feel that more obstacles will be placed delaying the commission, as both sides of the House slug it out to gain a dominant position in such an important and allegedly independent investigation.