[NYTr] Chavez Denounces Conspiracy against Constitutional Reforms

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Granma Daily - 14 November, 2007
http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/english/news/art67.html

Chavez Denounces Conspiracy against Constitutional Reforms

CARACAS, November 13.— Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez alerted Tuesday
of an international conspiracy to block constitutional reforms in his
country that would speed up the installation of a profoundly democratic
socialist system, reported EFE news service.

In a press conference held at the government headquarters, Chavez
defended the proposal to amend 69 of the 350 articles of the 1999
Venezuelan Constitution, to be voted on in a referendum on December 2.

Chavez said the recent mobilizations of university students against the
reform are part of an "international campaign" hatched in Washington
that "tries to justify a coup" to overthrow him and includes
"bloodshed."

In recent weeks, in Caracas and two other cities, student marches took
place to protest the reforms, most of which ended in skirmishes that
left demonstrators and police injured.

Chavez insisted that a plan is underway to end his "Bolivarian and
socialist revolution" and warned that if he is assassinated or if there
is a coup ¨there will be a civil war here."

Chavez said a coup in Venezuela is "the perfect plan for the US Empire"
because it would supposedly bring peace.

"They don’t care if the Caribbean is stained with Venezuelan blood,
they want the oil," said President Chavez. Venezuela is the world’s
fifth leading oil exporter and one of the main suppliers to the United
States.

Chavez noted that unbiased opinion polls show a majority of Venezuelans
favoring the constitutional reform, expressing his confidence in its
approval.

He said the changes will empower the majority of the people and
strengthen the revolutionary project of installing a socialist system
as "the only path to peace and justice."

MARCH FOR YES VOTE

CARACAS, November 13.— Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez took part
Tuesday in a march in the city of Barquisimeto in favor of a Yes vote
on the constitutional reform referendum on Sunday, December 2.

The rally, called by activists of the United Socialist Party of
Venezuela, gathered thousands of people form the state of Lara who
chanted slogans in support of the government and in favor of amending
the constitution, reported Prensa Latina.