Golden exile Fernandez says resounding NO to negotiations agreement

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Elecronic News Posted: Wednesday, May 28, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Exiled Federation of Chambers of Industry & Commerce (Fedecamaras) president, Carlos Fernandez has rejected the government-opposition negotiations agreement, alleging that removing the Carter Center, Organization of American States (OAS) and UN once the agreement has been signed is "part of Chavez Frias' macabre plan to dissolve the opposition and block the road to the recall referendum." 

Speaking from Miami, the self-exiled business sector leader insists that the government has no intention of going for a referendum and that the real architect of the plan is Fidel Castro in Havana and not Chavez Frias. 

• Fernandez' reading of the 19-clause agreement is that it endangers freedom of expression in Venezuela. 

Despite his exile, Fernandez refuses to relinquish the presidency of Fedecamaras and speaking in the name of his organization, Fernandez says Fedecamaras will accept any agreement that reflects political will to solve the crisis but will not accept any imposition of the government that includes ending the negotiations table and the presence of international bodies in Venezuela.