Posted on 04/23/2002 11:25:20 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has ordered an inquiry into the killings of more than 40 people before and during the military coup that briefly ousted him, and he said those responsible must be punished.
In an April 22 letter to Attorney General Isaias Rodriguez published Tuesday, Chavez said he was willing to cooperate fully with the investigation, which has been loudly demanded by opponents who blame the firebrand president and his supporters for some of the deaths.
The official inquiry would cover the killing of at least a dozen people by gunmen during a huge anti-Chavez protest march in Caracas April 11. These deaths triggered the short-lived coup against the former paratrooper and his three-year-old tenure in the world's No. 4 oil exporter.
The probe would also investigate the deaths of several dozen others in big street protests by his supporters and widespread looting which accompanied his tumultuous return to power with the help of loyal troops early on April 14.
"Those responsible for the deaths of Venezuelans, wherever they are, must be identified and punished with the full force of the law," Chavez said in the letter.
"I request, Mr. Attorney-General, that you open and pursue the most exhaustive and impartial investigation."
Since his surprise reinstatement, Chavez has extended an olive branch to his opponents and has offered a national dialogue to heal the political tensions that led to the four-day outbreak of violence surrounding the coup.
But human rights groups and his political foes, who include business and labor chiefs, opposition parties and dissident military officers, say reconciliation will be impossible unless the deaths, most involving unarmed civilians, are cleared up.
"This is going to be a tumor that will go on infecting our national politics," said political analyst Teodoro Petkoff, who edits the TalCual daily. He called for a nonpartisan inquiry.
'ME, A MURDERER?'
As the two sides swapped accusations over who was responsible for the deaths, the National Assembly Monday said it would create a Truth Commission to investigate.
Critics of the president, including senior military officers who staged the 48-hour coup against him, say pro-Chavez gunmen firing mostly from rooftops ambushed the April 11 protest march by tens of thousands of Venezuelans who were clamoring for the resignation of the populist leader.
Civil Defense officials said 17 people were killed by gunshots and more than 100 injured.
In his letter, Chavez said, "Twelve compatriots were massacred in the middle of violent clashes, which still appear very confused."
To back their accusations, opponents of the government point to television footage showing pro-Chavez militants firing pistols at the marchers from a bridge.
Jorge Tortoza is seen in a hospital after being shot during clashes between supporters of President Hugo Chavez and the opposition in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, April 11, 2002. Tortoza, a 45-year-old photographer with Diario 2001 newspaper, was shot in the face by a man in civilian clothing while he was covering the protest, said reporter Angel Arraez. Tortoza was listed in critical condition. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) - Apr 11 10:14 PM ET
Venezuelan journalists march against the killing of a local photographer, Jorge Tortoza, during protests that lead to a failed coup against President Hugo Chavez, in Caracas April 25, 2002. A close ally of Chavez has urged him to replace key members of his cabinet to defuse political tensions with opponents after the coup that briefly deposed the left-wing leader this month. REUTERS/Howard Yanes
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