Reply #11: U.S. official: Venezuela 'deeply polarized;' needs more scrutiny [View All]

Noriega is urging *heightened international scrutiny* of the referendum process to guarantee the stability of Venezuelan democracy. How 'bout guaranteeing democracy in the good ol' US of A??

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senior Bush administration official says Venezuela is "deeply polarized" and needs more tolerance from its politicians and more involvement by other nations to ensure its stability.

Roger Noriega, assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, didn't single out President Hugo Chavez or his opponents, who claim Chavez is amassing authoritarian power in the oil-rich nation.

Speaking Wednesday at The Miami Herald's Americas Conference, Noriega said Venezuela's problems lie with "political leaders who are focusing too much on their own interests and not bringing together the country in a constructive way."

Unrest in Venezuela led to a brief 2002 coup and a devastating general strike earlier this year that cut oil exports, closed thousands of businesses and cost tens of thousands of jobs.

Venezuela's opposition plans a petition drive in late November to demand a possible recall referendum on Chavez's presidency next year. Chavez was elected in 2000 to a six-year term and says he is confident the petition drive will fail.

<http://gainesvillesun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031030/APN/310300726&cachetime=5>