Adding to confusion, Supreme Tribunal now wants National Assembly to appoint Electoral body

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Friday, May 30, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) president, Ivan Rincon says he prefers not to make any comments on the negotiations agreement signed yesterday between government and opposition but admits that the TSJ Electoral Chamber is dealing with three appeals asking for the speeding up of the National Electoral College (CNE) appointment process.

"I hope that the National Assembly (AN) does appoint the CNE board ... we will be ready to make sure citizens' rights are respected."

Rincon maintains that rights established in the Constitution are above any other theme in the country ... "the agreement is important but I won't emit an opinion because I haven't read the full text."

Rincon insists that the TSJ exists as a guarantee of citizen legal rights.

However, the magistrate's statement has added to the confusion as regards which organ, the legislature or judiciary will settle the priority task of appointing the CNE board.

House Appointments Committee president, Ismael Garcia says he senses political will among members of the opposition bench and admits thatlast week deputies' eyes were on the negotiations agreement signed yesterday ... "that is the reason for the slowdown."

Meanwhile, CNE president, Alfredo Avella has dismissed the Electoral Registration Officer Pedro Perez Diaz for overstepping his attributions by dismissing an official ... only the CNE president has the faculty. Accion Democratica (AD) militant Marcos Gomez will take over on a temporary basis.