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Violence subsides in protest of recall referendum being denied Associated Press Published on: 03/03/04 CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuela's opposition met with international observers Wednesday, pleading for help in reversing the denial of a recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez.
At least seven people have died and scores have been wounded since demonstrations began Friday, security officials said. The violence halted after pleas from international observers and opposition officials, but leaders warned more unrest is in store if citizens are denied their constitutional right to demand Chavez's ouster. A march was planned in Caracas for today. Venezuela's opposition appealed to the Organization of American States, the Atlanta-based Carter Center and other countries with an interest in the stability of the world's No. 5 oil exporter to reverse Tuesday's ruling. Chavez was re-elected to a six-year term in 2000. If he loses in a referendum held before mid-August, the midway point for his term, new presidential elections must be held. But if he loses in a vote held after mid-August, Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel would take over for the rest of his term. Opponents fear if that happens, Chavez would rule behind his right-hand man for the rest of his term. The opposition handed in more than 3 million signatures in December to demand the recall. About 2.4 million are required. But the elections council said Tuesday only 1.8 million signatures were valid and an additional 1.1 million signatures may be authentic — but only if citizens come forward to confirm they signed. The OAS and Carter Center met Wednesday with council and opposition officials to try to find a compromise. The goal is "an agreement on a viable way forward," said Jennifer McCoy, a Georgia State University political science professor who directs the Carter Center's Americas Program. McCoy returned to Atlanta from Venezuela on Wednesday. "The situation is extremely tense," she said. "We do think they need to resolve it very, very quickly." The Carter Center monitored elections in Venezuela in 1998 and 2000 and works there with the OAS and the U.N. Development Program, facilitating negotiations between government leaders and opposition groups. Former President Jimmy Carter has traveled to Venezuela several times, most recently in January, when he met with key leaders on both sides of the political impasse. "We call on all citizens to remain calm and to demonstrate their right to protest while respecting civility and human life," the Carter Center said in a statement after the elections council announced its decision. "We call on the public security forces to respect human rights and due process. We ask the media to call for calm and not violence." — Staff writer Mark Bixler in Atlanta contributed to this article. |
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