[NYTr] Venez: Polls Show Increased Support for Reform, Venez Army to Guard Election Process

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com

Venezuelan Army to Guard Referendum Process

Caracas, Nov 12 (Prensa Latina) The Venezuelan National Armed Forces
-FAN- is currently able to guarantee the constitutional referendum in
December, ready to take action in all possible scenarios, Defense
Minister Gustavo Rangel asserted on Monday.

Rangel said variants have been studied, including distribution of
110,000 troops in the polling places, besides keeping contingents "at
key points where violence could occur."

He reiterated a call for coexistence, and expressed hope in the
Venezuelan people's democratic vocation.

The minister asserted that FAN will be there to foster peace, although
it has the State's right to use legitimate violence faced with any
destabilizing attempt.

Regarding the constitutional change, he said existence of differences
is part of democracy, and all have the right to speak in the field of
ideas, and he called on the Venezuelan people to go to the polls.

ef ccs iom mem PL-38

                          ***

"Yes" Predicted for Venezuela Reform

Caracas, Nov 12 (Prensa Latina) Recent polls revealed the Venezuelan
constitutional reform encouraged by President Hugo Chavez will have
majority support during the December 2 referendum.

According to North American Opinion Research polling firm, of the 1,300
Venezuelans interviewed, 57 percent envisaged a Yes for the referendum,
and only 33 percent considered the proposal would be rejected.

The survey disclosed Sunday by journalist and former Vice President
Jose Vicente Rangel shows increased support for the Yes, compared to a
previous one by the same polling firm, when 52 percent was optimistic
about a successful referendum.

Surveys on the intention of votes are being held amid a strong
political campaign, with forces in favor and against the reform staging
street actions and public debates.

hr dig ml mf

PL-4