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| International |
| Venezuelan troops take over Coca-Cola plant |
| 2003-01-17 |
| From Ingrid Arnesen CNN Friday, January 17, 2003 Posted: 11:26 PM EST (0426 GMT) CARACAS, Venezuela (CNN) -- President Hugo Chavez's government can take over facilities necessary to keep basic goods flowing to Venezuelans in light of a months-old general strike that has crippled the country's economy, a court ruled Friday. After the decision by the country's superior court of agricultural affairs, national guard troops took over a Coca-Cola distribution plant in the state of Carabobo, firing tear gas at opposition protesters who scuffled with them in front of the plant. A short time later, soldiers drove trucks from the plant to the army's regional headquarters. The army is to turn over the beverage products to the state consumer protection agency, Indecu, which is to distribute Coca-Cola to stores. The court decision will also affect the distribution of products such as rice, corn, flour and beer. Last week, Chavez asked for a judicial investigation into the extent that the general strike was threatening the distribution of necessary goods. Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said the Coca-Cola plant had been given 48 hours notice that it would be taken over. Rodrigo Calderon, vice president of communications for Coca-Cola Latin America, told CNN the plant had stopped widespread distribution December 2 because of gas shortages and supply problems. "It also became too dangerous for our personnel to deliver the product," he said. Calderon had no comment on the action by the national guard. "Our main objective is to resume our business," he said. Meanwhile Friday, no major incidents were reported during an opposition march Friday in the capital, Caracas. The strikes, accompanied by daily demonstrations, are designed to force Chavez, a leftist, to either resign or call a referendum on whether he should continue in office. Opponents of the fiery populist leader, elected in 1998, accuse him of being autocratic and mismanaging the country. Chavez has refused to either resign or call a referendum. The Organization of American States has been trying to negotiate an end to the standoff. The strikes have especially hurt the oil industry. Venezuela is the world's fifth-largest oil exporter. Thats it, now its "go time" pal! You can take a mans economy down, but take away his god given right to drink a cold Coke and youre ass is in big trouble. Whats next?, is he going to make Pepsi the offical drink of Venezuela? |
| Posted by:Frank Martin |
| #1 Well, at least they got their priorities straight: got to have the government keep a steady supply of the five basic food groups---Coca Cola, rice, corn, flour and beer. No veggies. No meat. No fish. Maybe no oil. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-01-18 01:30:15 |