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STATEMENT BY OAS SECRETARY GENERAL CÉSAR GAVIRIA, CONCERNING ATTACK ON TELEPORT TOWER, WHERE THE VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION HAVE BEEN CONDUCTING NEGOTIATIONS

  April 12, 2003

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), César Gaviria, has condemned the pre-dawn terrorist attack on the Teleport Building in Caracas, Venezuela. The building houses the offices where the negotiations have been taking place between the government and the opposition. “These acts have been carried out by a radical minority that lacks a vision for the future of Venezuela,” the Secretary General stated.

Gaviria said, “It is even more crucial than ever for democratic avenues to be pursued.” He said he was confident neither the Government nor the Opposition, much less the Venezuelan people, would be intimidated by developments such as these. "We will continue to make every effort to sustain the will to conclude the agreements necessary for Venezuela to uphold its tradition of peace and democratic coexistence,” Gaviria added.

Reference: E-085/03