27 February 2003

State Department Official Reviews U.S. Priorities in the Americas (Curtis Struble says problems in region are not "intractable") (7560)

.........all times respecting the caps.

To the east, the situation in Venezuela continues to deteriorate, undermining Venezuela's democracy and economy while threatening regional economic and political stability. We must help Venezuela find a solution to the current impasse to avoid further harm. The only politically viable solution to the crisis in Venezuela is a peaceful, constitutional, democratic, and electoral solution agreed upon by both the government and the opposition. The dialogue led by the OAS Secretary General remains the best hope for Venezuelans to reach such a solution. The electoral proposals tabled January 21 by former President Carter - either a constitutional amendment to enable earlier elections or an August recall referendum, as provided for in Venezuela's Constitution - present viable options to break the impasse.

Four OAS member states (Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and the U.S.) and two leading OAS observer states (Portugal and Spain) have joined to address the current situation in Venezuela through the Friends of the OAS Secretary General's Mission for Venezuela. The Group of Friends plans to monitor and verify the implementation of any agreement brokered by the OAS. I was in Caracas four weeks ago with senior officials from the Group of Friends governments and had useful meetings with the government and the opposition.

President Chávez told us that the Carter proposals are constitutional and acknowledged that his government was obligated to provide funding and protection for constitutional elections and political activities. We are pleased that both sides to the dispute in Venezuela endorsed a non-violence pledge.

Still, President Chavez's incendiary rhetoric and the violence that has followed the signing of the pact, including the bombings outside the Spanish Embassy and Colombian Consulate in Caracas, cast doubt as to the government's commitment to honoring this pledge. It is imperative that this commitment, which is key to creating a climate conducive to dialogue, be respected. We hope to meet again soon with our partners in the Friends Group to discuss concrete initiatives to advance the dialogue.

In Bolivia, President Sanchez.............

www.click10.com Posted: 8:07 a.m. EST February 27, 2003

WASHINGTON -- Some State Department officials say Venezuela needs to rebuild its status and reliability as an oil supplier.

Top officials told a Venezuelan delegation in Washington that the South American nation's political disruptions have created serious doubts about its standing in the oil world.

They were told the way to restore the reputation was for the government and opposition to work out their differences.

The Venezuelan delegation passed on that word to officials in their nation.

Venezuela has been a leading source of U.S. oil imports. But a general strike in Venezuela paralyzed the oil industry for a time -- and many analysts chalk that up for part of the low supply of oil in the United States.

www.vheadline.com Posted: Thursday, February 27, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

Venezuelan security forces have stepped up security measures at embassies and diplomatic missions across Caracas following the explosion of two bombs, at the Spanish Embassy and the Colombian Consulate in Caracas earlier this week.

National Guard (GN) and federal agents have been posted outside diplomatic missions and security forces have advanced investigations into the bombings in a bid to uncover evidence that may lead to the capture of the culprits.

According to Deputy Foreign (MRE) Minister Arevelo Mendez, the Colombian government is sending its own team to investigate the explosion, but its scope will be limited to the site of the Consulate.  "The Colombian government is going to send a team to internally investigate the consulate building hit by the explosion ... but so far we haven't discussed collaborating."

www.vheadline.com Posted: Thursday, February 27, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

A statement from the US Carter Center ... which had played a key role in attempts to find a peaceful resolution to the Venezuelan political crisis ... has strongly criticized the "rapid deterioration in Venezuela" and "deplores the escalation of violence."

The Center is now calling on the international community to redouble its support for initiatives aimed at producing "a peaceful, democratic solution to the present crisis."

The statement also called on President Hugo Chavez Frias, his government, the opposition and media bosses to sign an agreement stating their support for a peaceful means of resolving the crisis. "We believe that verbal violence and threatening tone of political leaders, amplified by the media, encourage violent behavior."

www.vheadline.com Posted: Thursday, February 27, 2003 By: Robert Rudnicki

A march by opposition supporters through the streets of Caracas has forced the postponement of Organization of American States (OAS) led peace negotiations which had been scheduled to restart in the afternoon after being suspended last week due to OAS secretary general Cesar Gaviria's previous commitments. 

The talks had to be postponed as thousands of marchers protested outside the Gran Melia de Caracas hotel where talks have been taking place.

The negotiations are now expected to restart today, Thursday, with opposition and government negotiators likely to discuss the arrest of Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Fedecamaras) president Carlos Fernandez and the arrest order for Confederation of Trade Unions (CTV) president Carlos Ortega, as well as the arrest orders for seven Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) rebels who are leading the ongoing strike action.

Opposition leaders claim the government has gone back on last week's no-violence agreement, but government officials insist the arrests are lawful.