Posted on 08/13/2002 3:26:47 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuela's government and opposition sparred Monday over President Hugo Chavez's demand that four military officers be tried for rebellion in an April coup.
Chavez insisted Sunday that the Supreme Court indict the four officers for leading an April 12-14 coup, warning that his supporters won't accept a ruling exonerating the officers.
Clashes between Chavez supporters demanding indictment and police have wounded at least 24 people over the past week.
"Do you think the people will stand for this?" Chavez said.
The opposition Democratic Action party on Monday accused Chavez of threatening the Supreme Court judges and said it will ask international organizations to intervene to protect them.
"It isn't possible that the president of a civilized country, a democratically elected president, threatens (the nation's judiciary)," said party president Ramos Allup.
In response, National Assembly President Willian Lara accused Democratic Action of colluding with a former Chavez confidante, Luis Miquilena, to pressure the court to absolve the officers.
Lara said the court's magistrates were also "victims of the coup d'etat," noting that an interim government installed during Chavez's ouster had abolished the court.
In Washington on Monday, State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said the "the violent demonstrations to intimidate the court are unacceptable."
Attorney General Isaias Rodriguez urged Venezuelans to abide by the ruling and ignore those who instigate violence.
"The gravest thing in all of this is that in some cases, people are urging disobedience," Rodriguez said. "And in some cases this pressure can be considered a crime."
The court could rule this week. "Chavista" followers of the president have assaulted the defendants. On Thursday, police officers were ambushed by gunmen using military-grade weapons.
Army Gen. Efrain Vasquez, navy Rear Adm. Hector Ramirez Perez, Vice Adm. Daniel Comisso Urdaneta and air force Gen. Pedro Pereira are accused of leading the coup after 18 people were killed in an April 11 opposition march. The charge carries a 30-year prison term.
The officers say they acted to fill a power vacuum after armed forces commander Gen. Lucas Rincon announced that Chavez had resigned on April 12. Chavez insists he never resigned. The defendants also ignored Chavez's order to deploy troops against the civilian protesters.
Former Planning Minister Teodoro Petkoff warned that Chavez could be fomenting chaos that would allow him to declare a state of emergency and rule by decree. Chavez repeatedly has denied such plans.
"Facing such a threat from the president, how can a tribunal carry out justice?" Petkoff asked.
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