Chavez opponents doomed to fail in referendum bid, Venezuela's vice president says

Friday, November 8th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) _ Efforts by opponents of President Hugo Chavez to force him from office through a popular referendum are doomed to failure, Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said Thursday.

``I believe they've deceived a good number of Venezuelans, making them believe that with these signatures ... will force the president's exit,'' said Rangel.

``That does not correspond with the constitutional reality of this country,'' he said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The constitution says a referendum on Chavez's presidency can only be held halfway into his six-year term, or next August. Opponents of Chavez _ whose popularity has plunged below 30 percent _ are still plowing ahead, believing he will be so embarrassed by the results of a nonbinding referendum that he'll step down.

Rangel, who is Chavez's right-hand man and advises him on major issues, said they are wasting their time.

On Monday, the opposition battled through Chavez supporters in downtown Caracas Monday to deliver more than 2 million signatures to the National Elections Council demanding the referendum. Dozens were hurt by gunfire, rocks and tear gas during the melee.

The secretary general of the Organization of American States, meanwhile, announced that talks between the government and the opposition would begin on Friday, with a referendum expected to be among the many issues. OAS chief Cesar Gaviria was to monitor the talks.

In comments from the presidential palace, Chavez welcomed the news _ and took a swipe at his political enemies.

``Perfect,'' the leftist president exclaimed. ``That's the way. Not by coups or fascism or playing games that betray democracy and the people.''

``I have a lot of faith that this will help find democratic agreements,'' Chavez said of the talks, although prospects of their success appeared dim _ since Chavez's opponents simply want him to leave office, and he refuses to do so.

Venezuela, one of the world's main oil producers, has become one of the most volatile countries in Latin America. It was rocked by a two-day failed coup last April. The country's main labor federation has threatened a crippling strike if the government tries to obstruct the referendum.

The Supreme Court, meanwhile, rejected Chavez's bid to oust the National Elections Council _ a move that could have obstructed the council from organizing a referendum. His opponents applauded the move.

``The government and its supporters will introduce more petitions to delay the (referendum) process. But the government can't block it any longer,'' said National Assembly member Gerardo Blyde, a leading Chavez opponent.

The public prosecutor who filed the case maintained the council is unconstitutional because they resigned collectively last April. However, their resignation never became effective due to a delay in the approval of a new electoral law.