Military

DATE=01/27/03

TYPE=U-S OPINION ROUNDUP

TITLE=VENEZUELA'S TROUBLES

NUMBER=6-12806

BYLINE=ANDREW GUTHRIE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS

TELEPHONE=619-3335

CONTENT=

INTRO: The general strike in Venezuela that has crippled that nation's critical oil industry, is nearing the two-month mark. But Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez says his government is well on the way to resuming normal oil production. We get a sampling of how the U-S press views the deteriorating situation in Venezuela from V-O-A's _______________ in today's U-S Opinion Roundup.

TEXT: The former army officer says Venezuela will soon be able to increase production to the two-point-seven-million barrels the world oil producing cartel [O-P-E-C] feels is normal production. Venezuela's crude oil industry provides half the govenrment's income, and about 15 percent of the crude oil imported into the United States.

The strike called by a coalition of business leaders, some government workers, and many in the middle class began December 2nd in an attempt to drive President Chavez from power. He has resisted calls to step down or to call an early election.

We begin our sampling of editorial comment in Missouri, where The Kansas City Star detects a glimmer of hope in the latest developments.

VOICE: Perhaps Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his opponents finally see a way to end the ... general strike that has paralyzed that country's economy. Whether as a result of former U-S President Jimmy Carter's mediation or a result of fatigue, [President] Chavez and business, oil, and labor leaders appeared willing this week to seriously consider a compromise. That is a good sign.

TEXT: Excerpts from an editorial in The Kansas City [Missouri] Star. Taking a less optimistic view, Florida's Miami Herald is calling for intervention by Venezuela's friends in the world community.

VOICE: As Venezuela continues to hurtle down the road to ruin, President Hugo Chavez has become increasingly belligerent and authoritarian. Now more than ever, Venezuela's friends, including the United States, need to provide the arm-twisting and guarantees that can lead to a negotiated resolution of the conflict.

... the "Group of Friends" - the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Spain and Portugal - is key. Venezuela's nation-friends should push both sides toward an O-A-S-brokered solution and make it work.

TEXT: Thoughts of The Miami Herald. California's Fresno Bee does not see an end in sight to the general strike and suggests:

VOICE: What that portends for a country that is heavily dependent on oil exports remains unclear. So does the strike's likely impact - should it continue - on the price and availability of oil on the global market. It is another factor the Bush administration must consider as it prepares for a possible war against Iraq, an even larger oil producer than Venezuela.

TEXT: In the Midwest, the big Chicago Tribune is worried about what it sees as Washington's lack of interest in the Venezuela situation.

VOICE: ... it is clear the U-S cannot afford to stay on the sidelines as the political and economic situation in Venezuela unravels. This is not a domestic dispute likely to dissipate on its own. It is a rapidly escalating conflict that directly threatens hemispheric stability and U-S economic interests.

... The cleanest solution to the impasse would be for [President] Chavez to resign and make way for new elections. But [Mr.] Chavez says he will not be pushed out, and it is not clear the fractious opposition has a ready plan or leader to replace him. ... The U-S needs to take a more active role. ... Deepening chaos is not an option...

TEXT: With those sentiments from the Chicago Tribune, we conclude this sampling of editorial comment on the stubborn political crisis in Venezuela.

NEB/ANG/RAE