Mediators Must Accept Legitimacy of His Government: Chavez

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, January 18, 2003

Mediators Must Accept Legitimacy of His Government: Chavez

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Welcoming a new international mediator to help Venezuela solve its seven-week national strike crisis, President Hugo Chavez said Friday mediators must recognize his government as legitimate and democratic.

In his annual address to the parliament, Chavez said the Venezuelan government welcomed the mediation of the newly-formed "Group of Friends of Venezuela".

But international mediation "must begin by recognizing a legitimate government, that there is a democratic government that I head, elected by a free people," Chavez said.

He declared that Venezuela had many friends all over the world, but warned that "Venezuela will not be a country under the guardianship of anybody."

"It is and will always be a free and sovereign country that issues its own laws and seeks solutions to its own problems, because the people have their own mechanisms to do it."

At the invitation of Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Latin American leaders on Wednesday agreed to form a six-nation "Group of Friends of Venezuela" comprising Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Spain, Portugal and the United States.

Chavez's opponents have also welcomed the new mediation. "The formation of the Group of Friends ...is a great success," opposition leader Jesus Torrealba said.

The opposition seeks the Chavez's immediate resignation, or an early referendum on Feb. 2 to decide whether Chavez will remain in his position. Chavez insists he will stick to the constitution which allows for a referendum in August at the earliest.

The general strike which began on Dec. 2 has caused great losses to the fifth largest oil producer in the world.

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