Parliament row blocks path to Venezuela referendum

12 Jun 2003 19:14:11 GMT By Pascal Fletcher

CARACAS, Venezuela, June 12 Reuters) - Venezuela's divided National Assembly broke up in confusion on Thursday as supporters and foes of President Hugo Chavez deepened a parliamentary dispute that is delaying steps toward a possible referendum on the leftist president's rule.

Lawmakers loyal to Chavez refused to enter the assembly chamber, alleging the opposition planned to disrupt a scheduled vote on procedural reforms aimed at speeding up the passage of anti-terrorism and media laws drafted by the government.

Opposition deputies in the 165-member assembly accused government supporters of shying away from the vote because they could not muster the 83 votes needed to win.

The week-long dispute in the assembly, where Chavez supporters are struggling to hang onto a slim majority, is blocking the appointment by the parliament of a new National Electoral Council, the country's electoral authority.

"The country knows that without a National Electoral Council, there will be no elections," pro-Chavez deputy Nicolas Maduro told reporters as deputies from both sides traded accusations and recriminations in the assembly courtyard.

Naming a new electoral council is a key requirement for holding a referendum on Chavez's rule after Aug. 19, halfway through his current term.

The referendum was recommended in a peace accord signed by the government and its foes last month. The Organization of American States is backing the referendum as the best way to defuse the long-running conflict over Chavez's rule in the world's No. 5 oil exporter.

Pro-government lawmakers accuse the opposition of blocking controversial draft laws in parliament.

These include an anti-terrorism bill and legislation regulating television and radio broadcasting. Opposition leaders say they fear the laws will be used by the government to silence criticism and restrict anti-Chavez protests.

"They (the government side) are on the run because they can't hold a majority," opposition deputy Cesar Perez said.

Maduro said pro-Chavez lawmakers would try to negotiate with their opponents to reconvene the parliament next Tuesday.

Former paratrooper Chavez, who survived a coup last year, has said he is ready to submit to a referendum. But his foes, who accuse him of trying to install Cuban-style communism, say they fear he will attempt to avoid a poll.