Opposition hauls Olavarria over coals for suggesting new and legal signature campaign 

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Monday, April 28, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Some opposition sectors have reacted angrily to a suggestion from historian and political analyst, Jorge Olavarria that it must start the signature campaign requesting a recall referendum again. 

The opposition has been arguing that the signatures collected when the national stoppage collapsed at the end of January are perfectly valid. 

"Not so," Olavarria retorts,  "it is illegal because there was no mention of the National Electoral College (CNE) on the signature forms and other requirements."

According to Olavarria, the request to the CNE must be strictly in line with Bolivarian Constitution Article 72, which includes mentioning in this case the date President Hugo Chavez Frias took office and should be backed up by 20% of electors registered when the recall referendum is petitions, namely in August, 2003 and not February. 

Lawyer Gustavo Linares Benzo says Olavarria's assertions are incorrect politically and legally and accuses the polemical writer of legal winkle-picking. 

"The signatures are perfectly valid because the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) has ruled the signatures can be collected before an officials half-term in office is up and the only way people can request a recall referendum at the CNE is when they have the signatures already collected." 

Olavarria has been a stern critic of the Sumate organization's handling of the signature campaign, which he says appeared more like the launching of Miranda State Governor, Enrique Mendoza's presidential candidacy.