Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Chavez grants amnesty to 2002 coup opponents

CARACAS, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Monday granted an amnesty to many prisoners, especially to his opponents accused of backing a failed 2002 coup against him.

Chavez said the amnesty decree would also pardon others accused of attempting to overthrow the government or to murder him in recent years.

"Nobody (in Venezuela) can talk about political prisoners," Chavez told state television on New Year's Eve. "It's a matter of turning the page ... We want a country that moves toward peace."

"We want there to be a strong ideological and political debate but in peaceful conditions." he added......

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