Maybe if we had a ship like the one pictured below in the area, he'd be a little more reasonable.
Posted on 12/18/2002 8:08:02 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
CARACAS (Dow Jones)--An increasing number of countries have issued warnings against travel to Venezuela as a nationwide strike against President Hugo Chavez's leadership, which has all but shut the country's vital oil industry, entered its 17th day Wednesday with no sign of ending.
Besides the U.S., which issued a travel advisory Dec. 10, the United Kingdom, Germany, Holland and Hungary are among countries that have told their citizens to avoid Venezuela due to the heightening tension and increasing potential for violence, according to reports.
Many foreigners living in Venezuela are leaving, or have already left, as employers encourage them to start vacations early.
"We're not evacuating our staff, but have told anyone who wants to leave that they're free to do so, and have told anyone who had vacation plans to take them early ... there's nothing going on to keep them here anyway," an executive at a foreign oil company said on the condition of anonymity.
Thousands of businesses remained shuttered Wednesday, as did the Caracas Stock Exchange, but supermarkets continued to operate during limited hours. Banks, too, are on strike, but have agreed to extend to six, from three, the number of hours they'll be open for business, local daily El Nacional reported. Banking officials couldn't be reached for comment.
Currency trading was expected to continue at low volumes.
Opposition groups blocked highways across the country, beginning at 6 a.m. local time (1000 GMT), as part of their protest. Police have used tear gas and rubber bullets to break up fights between protesters and Chavez's supporters.
There were media reports that diesel fuel has run out and that some restaurants that had been open since the strike began Dec. 2 have had to shut because they've run out of gas to cook with.
Amid warnings of an imminent gasoline shortage, motorists formed long lines at service stations, which were guarded by heavily armed soldiers in an effort to prevent disorder and violence.
Negotiations between the government and opposition representatives continue but haven't yet produced any meaningful results.
Organization of American States secretary general Cesar Gaviria, who is brokering the talks, said late Tuesday the two sides have documented their positions and that he is looking for areas they "coincide" in.
Opposition leaders initially launched the strike to force the government into accepting an immediate nonbinding referendum on Chavez's leadership. After three protesters were killed by gunmen at an opposition rally Dec. 6, strike leaders demanded Chavez resign immediately and call elections.
Although his representatives are discussing early elections at the OAS talks, Chavez has thus far maintained that the constitution only requires him to accept the results of a possible recall referendum in August 2003, the midpoint of his term.
Chavez's critics blame his left-leaning policies for the country's deepening economic crisis, with a 6.4% contraction in the first nine months of this year, 17% unemployment, and 30% annualized inflation sparked by a nearly-50% devaluation of the bolivar ($1=VEB1282) earlier this year. The currency has strengthened a bit since then mostly due to central bank efforts.
Chavez has said the problems are due to an "economic coup" led by his opponents.
-By Jehan Senaratna, Dow Jones Newswires; 58212 564 1339; jehan.senaratna@ dowjones.com
Chavez is refusing to allow a non-binding referendum (something he himself has used often) on his presidency to go foward. Over a million signatures were gathered to comply with the law. But Hugo says he is above the law.
At a minimum, he'd agree to a non-binding referendum to prove to the world that he has the support of a majority of Venezuelans.
We had a President who resigned when it became clear that he could no longer effectively govern. Chavez won't do that. In fact, I don't think he ever intends to leave.
Exactly! Why not follow the law? No, he'd rather tear up the country, incite class warfare, destroy the economy and get people killed, than to have Venezuelans and the world see what his people REALLY think about his presidency and his shift toward communism. They think it will shame him into resigning. I think we all now know, Hugo Chavez has no shame.
The vacancies, advertised at the ministry's unemployment offices across the country, are for Petroleum Engineers, Refinery Technicians and Supervisors, Gas Technicians and Supervisors and Computer Engineers, according to the report.
The government is desperately trying to break a 17-day-old strike that has paralyzed the country's vital oil industry, along with many other critical sectors.
But analysts have said it won't be easy to restart operations with new crews.
Opposition leaders launched the strike Dec. 2 to force the government into accepting an immediate nonbinding referendum on President Hugo Chavez's leadership. After three protesters were killed by gunmen at an opposition rally Dec. 6, strike leaders demanded Chavez resign immediately and call elections.
Maybe if we had a ship like the one pictured below in the area, he'd be a little more reasonable.
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