Venezuela’s opposition to meet with government
CARACAS, Venezuela — Leaders of Venezuela’s opposition have agreed to meet with President Nicolas Maduro’s government to discuss ways to defuse the country’s political crisis.
Opposition leaders said they agreed to a preliminary meeting after being assured by a mission of South American diplomats that the socialist government is open to discussing a four-point agenda it’s put forth as a starting point for talks. Their proposals include an amnesty for jailed government opponents, the creation of an independent truth commission to determine who is to blame for violence and the disarmament of groups loyal to Maduro
It’s not clear if the meeting will usher in formal talks aimed at reconciliation. It’s set to take place later Tuesday and may be attended by Maduro.
Still, just the opposition’s willingness to sit down with the government represents a potential breakthrough that could help ease tensions on the streets especially after two months of deadly protests that have rocked Venezuela but so far pose little threat to Maduro’s rule.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/venezuelas-opposition-to-meet-with-government/2014/04/08/7d3bbb30-bf4d-11e3-9ee7-02c1e10a03f0_story.html
