Military

DAY=12/10/02

TYPE=U-S OPINION ROUNDUP

TITLE=VENEZUELA'S CHAOS

NUMBER=6-12748

BYLINE=ANDREW GUTHRIE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS

TELEPHONE=619-3335

CONTENT=

INTRO: The situation in Venezuela is worsening by the day according to news reports as a general strike cripples the country. The national petroleum company is not delivering the nation's main export, crude oil, to all its customers and gasoline stations in Caracas are reportedly running out of fuel, or refusing to open because of the strike. As the situation worsens, the U-S press is taking more notice, and concern on the editorial pages is growing. We get a sampling now from _______________ in today's U-S Opinion Roundup.

TEXT: President Hugo Chavez is reported to be losing the support of a growing number of citizens, as he struggles to remain in power almost four years into his term. The head of the organization of American States, former Colombian President Cesar Gaviria has for weeks, been trying to broker a peaceful settlement between Mr. Chavez and the opposition. But so far his efforts have failed.

Last Friday three people were killed and at least 28 wounded when two gunmen opened fire on an anti-government demonstration in a crowded Caracas plaza. That further embittered the people against the president. Furthermore, Venezuela is a major supplier of crude oil to this country, and that fact is not lost on the newspaper editorial writers. We begin in Florida, where The Orlando Sentinel says, "early elections in Venezuela deserve strong support from the United States."

VOICE: Eight months after a coup briefly dislodged President Hugo Chavez from power, Venezuela is again on the brink of chaos. And the risks from a political meltdown in Latin America's largest oil producer are even greater today.

Venezuela is the world's fifth-largest oil producer and the number three supplier to the United States, providing 13 percent of U-S petroleum imports. An extended disruption in Venezuela's oil production could shake the world economy at a time when another shock - - from a new war in the Middle East - - seems imminent. . Early elections, arranged and supervised by the O-A-S [Organization of American States] are the pragmatic solution.

TEXT: Along the Texas Gulf Coast, The Corpus Christi Caller-Times is also watching with alarm.

VOICE: For Venezuelans who love democracy it must be difficult at the moment not to see the advantages of a military coup. With each day of a general . strike [including] . the vital petroleum industry, Venezuela comes closer to an economic meltdown. . The United States has a big stake in both the survival of Venezuela's democracy and a Venezuela free of strife and should do all it can to get Venezuela outside help in mediating its rapidly escalating crisis.

TEXT: Taking an even more gloomy view of the escalating unrest, South Carolina's Charleston Post and Courier suggests:

VOICE: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is courting disaster by refusing to respond to a growing protest movement that has the support of a majority of the people. Last week he rejected an opportunity to reduce tension and evade further violence when he refused to hold a non-binding referendum calling for early elections.

The best service that Mr. Chavez could render his country would be to step down from office or, at least, step back from a dangerous confrontation. The strike has been most effective in the oil industry, which proved 50 percent of the government's revenue, and threatens to paralyze the country.

. Even his (Mr. Chavez's) estrange wife Marisabel has called upon him to respond to the protests. . President Chavez should put his mandate to the test of an election. Otherwise, Venezuela's future will be decided by violence and civil war will become more likely.

TEXT: The [Miami, Florida] Herald agrees:

VOICE: Venezuela needs to find a peaceful, legal solution to its increasingly explosive political crisis, and President Hugo Chavez should be leading the search. Democratically elected, Mr. Chavez and his government are responsible for providing security and a climate that encourages economic and social improvement.

. Surely a solution can be found before more blood stains the streets of Caracas. The United States and friends of Venezuela must urge Mr. Chavez and the opposition to come to terms. Mr. Chavez's desire to stay in power is no excuse for inciting violence among his supporters.

TEXT: With those sentiments from The [Miami] Herald, we conclude this editorial sampling on the escalating troubles in Venezuela.

NEB/ANG/MAR