Quito (Equador), 1/16/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - According to the secretary general of the Organization of American States, Cesar Gaviria, there is great concern in both the OAS and South America with regard to the crisis in Venezuela. The fear is that an impasse in that country could create a contagion in the rest of the continent.

Asked about the deadlock concerning a referendum on the Chavez presidency, Gaviria declared that as the OAS was seeking a constitutional solution, it was possible that the government and the opposition could agree on either a constitutional amendment or change. "Both sides are working to find a way out. A good solution for Venezuela will be one that both the government and the opposition agree on," he said. (AB)