MARÍA DANIELA ESPINOZA
EL UNIVERSAL

The Venezuelan government and university students Tuesday gathered to outline commitments and warrantees for the latter to stage Wednesday a peaceful demonstration, by marching from the campus of the Central University of Venezuela (UCV) north Caracas, to the headquarters of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ), northwest Caracas.

The protesters are to file an action requesting adjournment of a referendum next December 2 on the changes to the Constitution proposed by President Hugo Chávez and endorsed by the National Assembly.

Student leaders Freddy Guevara, for Andrés Bello Catholic University (UCAB), and Stalin González, for the Central University of Venezuela, stressed that "the students are not afraid" and would continue to fight -under their slogan of "no violence" for the respect of every Venezuelan's rights.

"The student movement has no dark intentions; it is not plotting to conduct a coup. Perhaps they do not believe us, and think we are hidden, conspiring with     (Chávez' former Defense Minister and former close ally retired General Raúl) Baduel. But we are not. We are aware we have to follow the democratic path, and the future of the country is at stake," said Guevara. His comments came following a meeting with Minister of the Interior Pedro Carreño, Libertador Municipality Mayor Freddy Bernal, and the chief of the security corps.

The university students vowed to take all the necessary measures to avoid any internal outbreaks of violence during their rally. They are creating intelligence units to detect people trying to disturb their demonstration.

Simultaneously, however, they asked the Interior Ministry to assess police and National Guard abuse of power. Besides, they requested permissions for demonstrations to be granted on equal grounds. "It is not possible that some citizens are allowed to enter public institutions without permits, and we are stopped two blocks away," González underscored.

After he granted the authorization for students to march to San Carlos barrack, northwest Caracas, where a group of students will be designated to take their paper to TSJ, Minister Carreño recommended the youth not to block highways or get involved in violent acts. Carreño added they would not hesitate to "implement any necessary moves to keep domestic order." "In the face of any violent act, the security corps are empowered and legally authorized to break up the demonstration," Carreño stated.

He said the university students are not allowed to get to the state institutions because "we assume they may be planning an attack against State assets."

Translated by Maryflor Suárez R.
msuarez@eluniversal.com