Written Answers - Common Foreign and Security Policy.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:
300
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties in respect of the political crisis in the Republic of Venezuela and to the consequences economically and in respect of constitutional order of the country as a result; if he has raised this matter at European Union level; the response from the Union; the action it is proposed to take to bring about an improvement in the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5291/03]
The current crisis in Venezuela must be viewed against recent economic and political developments. Venezuela is an oil-rich nation, abundantly endowed with an exceptionally wide range of other mineral resources, in which 66% of people live below the poverty line and a further 21% exist in abject destitution without the basic necessities of life. Notwithstanding Venezuela's immense oil and other mineral wealth, GDP growth through the 1980s and 1990s averaged only 1.3% a year while annual population growth was 2.4%, indicating a steep and continuous decline in real average incomes. By 1998, 67% of Venezuelans were earning less than $2 a day. In the presidential elections of December 1998, a former army officer, Mr. Hugo Chávez, was swept to power on a platform proposing radical political reform and an economic third way. He gained 56% of the vote, the largest majority in Venezuela's democratic history. In the congressional elections, the broad Chávez Patriotic Pole coalition won an overall majority.
President Chávez took office in February 1999 with opinion polls showing 80% support. A new constitution, incorporating the Chávez concept of participatory democracy, was approved by 73% of voters in a December 1999 referendum. Under the new constitution, Mr. Chávez was re-elected in June 2000 with an enhanced majority of 60%. President Chávez's popular support remained high throughout 2000, but started to drop sharply in 2001 as people apparently began to feel that their expectations regarding economic growth and employment creation were not being met. By early 2002, street demonstrations were being organised by the main private business association, Fedecámaras, headed by Mr. Pedro Carmona, and by the Venezuelan Workers' Confederation, CTV, led by the former head of the oil workers union, Mr. Carlos Ortega. On 12 April 2002, these demonstrations led to street violence, fatal shootings and an attempted coup d'état which at first appeared to have been successful. The presumed replacement, Mr. Carmona of the Fedecámaras, proceeded to proclaim the suspension of all democratic institutions. Within 48 hours, it became clear that the coup was only supported by a small element in the armed forces and President Chávez was released from captivity and returned to the presidential palace.
Following that brief rupture of the constitutional order, Ireland and its EU partners supported the efforts of the tripartite working group comprising the Organisation of American States, OAS, the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, and the Carter Centre to facilitate dialogue between the Government and the Democratic Co-ordinator opposition alliance. In September 2002, a joint mission of the OAS, UNDP and the Carter Centre visited Venezuela and met with senior Government officials, members of the opposition, as well as representatives of the Church, the media and civil society. This led to the establishment on 8 November 2002 of a forum for negotiation and agreement under OAS auspices to bring together the various parties. These negotiations stalled when the opposition called a general strike for 2 December 2002. On 16 December 2002, the OAS adopted resolution 833, urging the Government and the CD to use good faith negotiations to bring about a constitutional, democratic, peaceful and electoral solution in the framework of the forum for negotiation and agreement.
On 15 January 2003, a group of friends of Venezuela, composed of the Foreign Ministers of Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and the United States was formed to support the OAS in its mission. Ireland and its EU partners welcomed the establishment of the group of friends and expressed its full support for their contribution to fostering a viable solution to the crisis in Venezuela in line with the objectives set out in OAS Resolution 833. We have supported the efforts of the OAS and the group of friends as the main interface between the international community and Venezuela in dealing with the problems that beset that country.
On 21 January 2003, President Carter proposed two options: a constitutional amendment; and a recall referendum. The first proposal would involve the collection by the opposition of the required number of signatures to propose a constitutional amendment to shorten the presidential term from six to four years, with one possible re-election. It would also shorten the term for deputies to the National Assembly from five to four years. The current mandate of the President and of deputies would end immediately and all would be entitled to run again. The second proposal would involve a referendum on 19 August 2003 – midway through the Chávez term of office as already provided for in the constitution – on whether President Chávez should remain in power, to be followed by early elections if the referendum went against him. The group of friends met on 24 January in Caracas with President Chávez and the CD, and called for concessions from both sides. The group also noted that the proposals put forward on 21 January by President Carter were positive elements for seeking a solution.
On 2 February 2003 – after 63 days – the opposition called an end to the national strike, which had caused serious damage to the economy by reducing crude oil exports from approximately 2.8 million barrels a day to 150,000 barrels. Oil production has since risen to approximately 1.3 million barrels per day. In recent weeks, foreign exchange operations have been suspended in order to protect foreign reserves which fell by more than $1.2 billion during the general strike and to allow the government to work out a new currency regime and a package of price and capital controls. Fear has been expressed that the Government will deny essential foreign currency to those enterprises which joined in the strike. On 18 February 2003, President Chávez and the CD opposition alliance signed a declaration against violence and in favour of peace and democracy. The declaration was drafted by the Secretary General of the OAS, César Gaviria. The declaration calls for a climate of peace and calm and for the legislature to form a truth Commission to investigate the deaths during the failed coup in April 2002. The declaration also reaffirmed the parties' respect for constitutional provisions on freedom of expression, but called on the media, public and private, to ensure that they did not encourage unconstitutional or unlawful behaviour. The declaration was designed to help to reduce tensions, leaving the difficult question of possible early elections until such time as both physical and verbal violence should diminish.
On 20 February 2003, Carlos Fernández, who replaced Pedro Carmona as head of Fedecámaras, was arrested by police on foot of a warrant issued by a judge. He is now under house arrest on charges of rebellion and incitement. Mr. Fernández, together with Mr. Carlo Ortega, head of the CTV, who has gone into hiding, were the most visible leaders of the 63-day national strike. The OAS Secretary General has called on the Venezuelan authorities to ensure that judicial action be independent, impartial and strictly conform to the rule of law and respect for rights guaranteed by the constitution. In spite of last week's joint declaration by the government and opposition, it appears that the situation remains acutely polarised.
The general strike has inflicted severe economic damage. It is estimated that GDP will be found to have contracted by as much as 7% by the end of 2002 and it is feared that the contraction in 2003 will be at least 15% and perhaps as much as 30%. Nobody stands to gain from such a situation, least of all the many millions of extremely disadvantaged Venezuelans.
Throughout the crisis, Ireland and its EU partners have stressed the importance of creating the appropriate spirit of tolerance in order to consolidate a climate of reconciliation among the people of Venezuela. Ireland and the EU as a whole stand ready to respond to any recommendation which may be made by our partners, Portugal and Spain, and the other members of the friends of Venezuela group.
