Venezuela: Communiqué of OAS’ Groups of Friends

Brasília, February 26, 2004

The Group of Friends of the General Secretary of the OAS for Venezuela, composed by Brazil, Chile, Spain, the USA, Mexico and Portugal have been following carefully the recall referenda processes in course in Venezuela, contemplated in Art. 72 of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

In our communiqués of October 3rd and December 3rd 2003, the Group of friends has expressed itself in a positive manner with respect to the approval by Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) of the rules that will regulate the process and also in regards to the finalization of the signature collection drive.

The Group of Friends has learned about the decision of the CNE, whereby the validity of an expressive numbers of signatures must be confirmed.

We trust in the transparency of said signature verification process so that the will of the electorate shall prevail according to current laws and regulations.

The Group of Friends recognizes the important role that the OAS and the Carter Centre have had as observers in said process.

We manifest our confidence in that the national conciliation process in Venezuela will continue to play out peacefully and with absolute respect towards democratic institutions and citizen rights.