SG/SM/8534

                                                                  29 November 2002

SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED AT INCREASING POLARIZATION OF SITUATION IN VENEZUELA

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General has been following closely the political crisis in Venezuela, and is concerned to see that the situation is becoming more and more sharply polarized.

The Secretary-General calls urgently on the Government of Venezuela and the opposition groups to make every effort to reach a peaceful solution to this crisis, on the basis of respect for the Constitution, democratic values and human rights.  He expresses his full support for the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States, César Gaviria, in his mediation mission.

The Secretary-General urges all sectors of Venezuelan society to refrain from actions that could cause the situation to deteriorate even further.

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