[NYTr] Anti-Chavez Students Announce Again They'll Vote "no"

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

VHeadline - Nov 22, 2007
http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=77035

Opposition students confirm they will vote "no" on December 2

by Patrick J. O'Donoghue  

Opposition students have made a public statement confirming something
already a foregone conclusion, namely that they will vote "no" to the
constitutional reform proposed by President Chavez. 

At a student rally yesterday, outgoing president of the University
Centers Federation (FCU), Stalin Gonzalez has called on students to
strengthen protests throughout the country. 

Gonzalez says the students' struggle against the government is "just
and noble" and based on honesty to help build a new homeland marked by
freedom as the essential mark of democracy. 

The constitutional reform, Gonzalez argues, will divide the country and
threatens the very principles and values of democracy ... "everything
must be done to avoid such a totalitarian possibility." 

The students marched and assembled outside the Supreme Tribunal of
Justice (TSJ) HQ to force a ruling on a petition they lodged several
days ago. 

The student leaders accuse the National Electoral Council (CNE) of
being partialized towards the government. 

They reject a call to abstention in the December 2 referendum and
insist that people should vote. 

"We Venezuelan students believe that not to vote will always benefit
the government and not the people. The vote is the fundamental value of
democracy, it is a right and one must not only exercise it but defend
it as we have done." 

Gonzalez contends that the vote on December 2 is more than just a
simple election ... " it will be a public protest against imposition
and the threat against Venezuelan's most basic rights and proof of
commitment to democracy."

On Monday, the students will March on Miraflores Palace. Incoming FCU
president, Ricardo Sanchez has announced to Miraflores Palace next
Monday and a final march on November 29.