10:00 2003-01-22
Jimmy Carter, the new friend of Venezuela The former US President would support Chavez's positions
Since last week, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Jimmy Carter, is trying to resume the negotiations between the Government and the opposition. Talks had come to a standstill in Caracas, as the anti-Chavez sectors continue the strike and the President insists on a Constitutional way out to the crisis.
Carter's mission is to encourage both parties to return to the dialogue and to back OAS General Secretary and former President of Colombia, Cesar Gaviria on his mediation efforts. "Venezuelans are responsible for the success of the negotiation and we -Carter's Center- are here back efforts towards a peaceful solution to the crisis", said the US former President to the Press in a Caracas's hotel.
Carter met yesterday President Chavez and announced his intention to push a constitutional alternative to put an end to the conflict. In a statement, he explained that either a referendum on Chavez's Presidency in August or amendments to the National Constitution are the options he will propose to the OAS. If both parties accept one of the alternatives, the legal process to make it real should start and the opposition should end the strike.