CP/RES. 821 (1329/02)

SUPPORT FOR THE PROCESS OF DIALOGUE IN VENEZUELA

THE PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES,

RECALLING resolution AG/RES. 1 (XXIX-E/02), in which it was agreed to support the initiative of the Government of Venezuela to convoke a national, all-inclusive dialogue and to urge all sectors of Venezuelan society to participate and devote their best and most determined efforts to bringing about the full exercise of democracy in Venezuela;

CONSIDERING that, in resolution AG/RES. 1 (XXIX-E/02), it was agreed to provide the support and help of the Organization of American States as required by the Government of Venezuela for the consolidation of the democratic process and that, in declaration AG/DEC. 28 (XXXII-O/02), that offer of support and help was reiterated;

CONSIDERING that the visits to Venezuela by the former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, and by representatives of the General Secretariat of the OAS, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Carter Center, are initiatives that help further political dialogue;

CONSIDERING that in a communication sent by the Vice President of the Republic, José Vicente Rangel, to the Secretary General of the OAS, César Gaviria, the Government of Venezuela expresses its willingness to seek a mutually agreed-upon mechanism for rapprochement between the Government, the representatives of the various opposition groups, and other segments of Venezuelan society, which would include the appointment of one or more persons versed in international affairs to facilitate dialogue and the quest for democratic agreements within the framework of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela;

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT that, in a letter addressed to Secretary General César Gaviria, opposition sectors in Venezuela, grouped together under the name "Coordinadora Democrática de Venezuela" [Democratic Focal Point of Venezuela], expressed their satisfaction with the proposal put forward by the OAS, the UNDP, and the Carter Center and their interest in having them develop said proposal; and

CONSIDERING that the Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has presented a report on the process of dialogue being promoted in his country by the Government of President Hugo Chávez Frías,

RESOLVES:

1.     To reiterate the readiness of the Organization of American States to provide support and help as required by the Government of Venezuela to further the process of dialogue and consolidate its democratic process.

2.     To welcome the initiative of the Government of Venezuela to promote and conduct a process of dialogue with the participation of all sectors in the country and with the support of the international community.

3.     To support the good offices in Venezuela of the Organization of American States, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Carter Center, encouraging them to continue these efforts.

4.     To encourage the Government and all sectors of the opposition, as well as social sectors and institutions in Venezuela, to strive, through dialogue and strict adherence to the Constitution of the Republic, to achieve the national reconciliation that both the Venezuelan people and the international community yearn for.