November
19, 2003
OAS/Carter
Centre: signatures in Venezuela
(BBC- Mundo) - "The Organization for
the American States and the Carter Centre confirmed
that they would observe the recollection of signatures
for the future recalls. The collection of signatures
to support the upcoming recalls promoted by president
Hugo Chávez, will be between the 21st and
the 24th of November.
The ones promoted by the opposition
will be done on the 28th of November and the 1st
of December. 'As international observers, we support
this democratic process and, in the end, it will
be the Venezuelan citizens the ones who will decide
the future of their country', said the ex President
of the United States, Jim Carter.
On the other hand, the Secretary
General of the OAS, César Gaviria said
that this effort is an important step to consolidate
the agreements that both the opposition and the
government reached in May this year.
The opposition centred its recall
on the continuity of President's Hugo Chávez
mandate. On the other hand, the government introduced
a petition for recall on 38 MP's, 7 governors
and the Mayor of the city of Caracas.
The opposition has to collect at
least 2.4 million signatures, equivalent to 20%
of the registered electors, in order to support
a petition for recall to revoke presidential mandate.
The OEA and the Carter Centre,
invited by the National Elections Council, will
distribute more than 40 observers".
