Vheadline.com, March 1, 2004
Defense Minister Carneiro: disturbances fortunately limited to middle class areas by Patrick J. O'Donoghue
As Caracas entered its fifth day of street disturbances, opposition politicians were voicing full support for the latest opposition offensive to oust President Hugo Chavez Frias.
The Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Fedecamaras) has given its blessing to street protests, the same as as it rejects National Elections Council (CNE) decisions.
Fedecamaras president Albis Munoz has gone gung-ho, insisting that the CNE has engaged in "illegality" regarding the validation of opposition signatures calling for a recall referendum. Commerce Council (Consecomercio) president Jorge Botti admits things are tense and says that each business can decide whether to close up shop or not.
Barricades have been set up in Altamira's Avenida Luis Rocha with the National Guard (GN) firing tear gas to disperse mostly middle-class demonstrators. Neighbors also set up barricades in Caurimare in front of the Metropolitan Policlinic and the Santa Fe overpass, El Cafetal, Raul Leoni Boulevard, Avenida Boyaca access to the Cota Mil ... the National Guard (GN) used tear gas throughout the day.
Defense Minister General Jorge Luis Garcia Carneiro says he's happy that the protests have been limited to middle class areas and not barrio slums, such as 23 de Enero or Petare. Opposition political leaders are slammed as urban guerrillas and the General warns that the Armed Force (FAN) will enforce respect for the Constitution and maintain public order.
Former Carabobo State Governor, Proyecto Venezuela (PV) leader Henrique Salas Romer is playing safe, stating that although one shouldn't incite the people to take to the streets, one cannot avoid it either. The disturbances will continue, Salas Romer forecasts, because the population wants its will to be respected ..."if the CNE rejects a recall referendum, then the protest will be unstoppable ... it's the point of no return."
However, Salas Romer warns that the opposition should not be distracted away from the regional elections in July and warns CNE government members that they could face prison, if they agree to a fraud ... "some colleagues are attempting to negotiate the CNE decision but such a move is unacceptable because one cannot negotiate one's rights."
- - - - - John Lacny
People of the US, unite and defeat the Bush regime and all its running dogs!