Posted on 04/17/2002 12:47:34 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
CARACAS - Down but not out, opponents of populist President Hugo Chávez praised his newfound moderation Tuesday in the aftermath of a coup attempt but insisted they want early elections or a referendum on his rule.
Chávez made good on his promise to install a Federal Government Council that will consult with opposition parties, labor unions, business groups, the church and other groups on a path out of the country's crisis.
And managers of the state-owned oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela, were all smiles after meeting with Vice President Diosdado Cabello on ways to resolve a confrontation that led to a crippling strike and helped spark the coup attempt Thursday.
But while critics praised the flexibility that the former paratrooper has shown since a military coup attempt against him Thursday and his counter-coup Saturday, they remained determined to drive him from power.
César Gaviria, secretary-general of the Organization of American States, who was half-a-day into consultations here, said: ``This extreme polarization that has occurred in the country has to cede way to reconciliation, to understanding.''
Gaviria declined to say whether he would endorse opposition calls for OAS mediation in the crisis but said Venezuela's Catholic Church ``has a fundamental role in moderating the situation.''
He met with Chávez, National Assembly and political party members, and Catholic Church and media leaders, saying he would present a report to the full OAS Thursday in Washington.
Sixty-eight people were killed and 527 wounded by gunfire and other violence during the political upheaval and widespread looting from Thursday to Sunday, said Guillermo Garróz, head of the National Civil Defense.
Cabello said 80 armed forces members were in custody, suspected of involvement in the coup.
Caracas appeared almost normal Tuesday, although a number of looted supermarkets remained closed.
Chávez lost much of his popularity in the past year with his acidic attacks on virtually everyone who opposes him since his election by a landslide in 1998, six years after he launched a failed coup attempt.
But in a sign of the continuing political bitterness, the million member Venezuelan Confederation of Workers said it will still push for a referendum on shortening Chávez's presidential term, due to end in 2006.
The small Justice First party said it wants Chávez and his whole government to resign but would support a referendum or a move by the 165-seat National Assembly, controlled by Chávez supporters, to shorten his term.
MEETING BOYCOTTED
Most opposition lawmakers boycotted the first meeting of the Assembly since the coup attempt and a lawmaker from Chávez's party, the Fifth Republic Movement, Ernesto Alvarenga, announced he had defected to the opposition.
Assembly President William Lara said the legislature will meet Thursday to debate last week's events and establish an investigative truth commission made up of members from all sectors.
Sergio Omar Calderón of COPEI, along with Democratic Action Venezuela's traditionally strongest but now shattered parties, said his party had no regrets about the coup attempt.
''This is a government that has been violating the constitution for three years,'' he said, accusing the Chávez-controlled Supreme Court of repeatedly issuing politically-biased rulings.
Defense Minister José Vicente Rangel dismissed the calls. 'Those who continue asking for Chávez' exit did not learn the lesson of the counter-coup,'' he said.
''In fact, until now the only one I have hear talking about rectifying is Chávez,'' Rangel added.
SIGN OF HOPE
In one hopeful step, managers of the Venezuela's giant oil company emerged from the meeting with Cabello saying they had made progress in their dispute.
''It was excellent. There's no better word,'' said Edgar Paredes, spokesman for a group of oil company managers that went on strike and cut production in half after Chávez appointed five supporters to its board of directors.
Paredes said he asked for the reinstatement of strike supporters fired, suspended or forced to retire and the appointment of a new board that would then restructure the firm to keep it efficient and free of politics.
''He showed a very open readiness not only to take these things into account but to do something about it,'' said Paredes.
Monsignor Baltazar Porras, president of the church's Episcopal Conference, urged the government to carry out ''a complete reordering of the democratic conduct of the country,'' but he also urged both Chávez and the opposition ``to open the way for a real dialogue.''
Caracas Cardinal Ignacio Velazco said he found Chávez contrite when they met Saturday night, while the president was detained .
''He said the events were a lesson that God has given us all . . . and said that for the good of the country he was going to straighten out many things,'' Velazco added. ``I believe at that moment he was sincere.''
I don't buy that he is capable of seeing the "errors of his ways"... he is playing for time.
Personally, I hope they send Chavez either to his good buddy Saddam or his mentor Fidel. That way, Chavez can feel right at home in the company of other socialist tyrants.
All in all, a lousy precedent.
Amen, my friend. Amen.
It would be far better if they sent him to join Juan Peron, or Julius Caesar, before Chavez sends them in that direction.
for people who keep losing elections, they seem to have lots of power.
...Most opposition lawmakers boycotted the first meeting of the Assembly since the coup attempt and a lawmaker from Chávez's party, the Fifth Republic Movement, Ernesto Alvarenga, announced he had defected to the opposition. Sergio Omar Calderón of COPEI, along with Democratic Action Venezuela's traditionally strongest but now shattered parties, said his party had no regrets about the coup attempt. ''This is a government that has been violating the constitution for three years,'' he said, accusing the Chávez-controlled Supreme Court of repeatedly issuing politically-biased rulings... Defense Minister José Vicente Rangel dismissed the calls. 'Those who continue asking for Chávez' exit did not learn the lesson of the counter-coup,'' he said. [Sounds like a threat!]
....''In fact, until now the only one I have hear talking about rectifying is Chávez,'' Rangel added. ……'He said the events were a lesson that God has given us all . . . and said that for the good of the country he was going to straighten out many things,'' Velazco added. ``I believe at that moment he was sincere.'' [Chavez is as sincere as Bill Clinton]
His criticisms against the Church grew harsher after 80,000 protesters marched last Wednesday in Caracas in opposition to his government. This was the largest protest against the 3-year-old Chávez government. As a result, the president has sped up the militarization of his regime with the appointment of Ramón Rodríguez Chacín as Interior Minister. Chacín was a navy captain who took part in the failed 1992 coup organized by Chávez himself.
The appointment followed soon after the suspension of Vice President Adina Bastidas, who was replaced by Diosdado Cabello, a retired colonel who also took part in the failed coup against democracy. Four other military men of the unsuccessful coup are now in the Cabinet. At least 50 soldiers occupy midlevel posts in government, the diplomatic corps and state-run enterprises. ***
January 2002- Opposition lawmakers attacked by supporters of Venezuela's President Chavez****CARACAS, Venezuela -- Dozens of supporters of President Hugo Chavez attacked opposition lawmakers trying to leaving Venezuela's legislature following a marathon session late Saturday. ….Supporters of the president, known as "chavistas," attacked the legislators -- shoving, hitting and in some cases throwing rocks -- after a nine-hour session that ended with a Chavez ally's re-election as president of the National Assembly. Chavez called the violence a "warning" to the opposition "and its absurd and evil intention" of trying to destabilize his government. He threatened to deploy supporters on "every street corner" to "defend the revolution," as the leftist leader refers to his policies.***
February 2002 - Chavez Tries Charm to Disarm Critics (Russian and Cuban security advisers in Venezuela) ***The official said he was also concerned at the growing role of Russian and Cuban security advisers in Venezuela. Egui Bastidas said he had experienced "the direct participation and the attempts at indoctrination by the Russian and Cuban intelligence services, who have direct and virtually unlimited access within the Helicoide (DISIP's headquarters building)." The official's lawyer, former DISIP Secretary-General Joaquin Chaffardet, said around 100 members of the Cuban intelligence services are currently operating in Venezuela. The new allegations would, if proven, further strain the already difficult relationship between the United States and Venezuela.***
March 2002- Chavez's image taken off altars *** Lately, Chavez declared himself a member of a charismatic congregation, thus allegedly belonging to his country's fastest-growing branch of Christianity. But then he angered the country's National Catholic Bishops Conference by communing at a Mass organized by a priest of pro-Communist leanings.***
April 2002 Chavistas: Venezuelan street toughs "Comandante" Lina Ron, who considers herself a modern version of "Tania," a woman who fought alongside Cuban revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevara, says she is a willing martyr for Chavez's cause. She was arrested after leading a violent pro-Chavez counter-protest against demonstrating university students………. In recent months, the 42-year-old Ron has organized and led street marches - called "countermarches" here - to stop or intimidate demonstrations by civilians and a disorganized opposition to Chavez.
Two December marches to Miraflores, the presidential palace, were stopped by Ron's "countermarches." A February march to the National Assembly to commemorate Venezuelan democracy was similarly met - and diverted - by a countermarch. Ron and her followers burned a U.S. flag in Caracas' central Plaza Bolivar just after the September terrorist attacks in the United States. The anti-Washington demonstration appalled many Venezuelans.
More recently, Ron's followers threatened journalists at El Nacional newspaper in Caracas. Chavez has called Ron a political prisoner. "We salute Lina Ron, a female soldier who deserves the respect of all Venezuelans," he said recently.*** (More at LINK)
FARC: A Terrorist Regime waiting in the Wings-- Hugo Chavez's involvement.
MORE: Hugo Chavez - Venezuela
Astros' Venezuelans keeping an eye on country's political unrest - Castro likes baseball too
Include the courts, Chavez has those too.
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