Maduro urges opposition to stick with Dominican Republic talks

Caracas.- Venezuela president Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday toldOrganization of American States (OAS) secretary general Luis Almagro, to stickhis Democratic Charter “where it fits,” in reference to the announced resolutionover the crisis in the South American nation.

He also urged the opposition bloc (MUD) not to withdrawfrom the political dialogue, which began in the Dominican Republic and are backedby a group of ex-presidents and the South American Union, Unasur, EFE reports.

"I make a call to reflection and rectification ofpolitical parties attending Dominican Republic and the MUD and serenity,maturity and height ratify the path initiated in Dominican Republic lastFriday," the president said in his "contact with Maduro" radioand TV program.

He stressed that the talks began in Punta Cana on Fridayand Saturday between commissions of the opposition and the government, with thesupport of international mediators, a meeting which the MUD has refused to acknowledge,noting that they met only with the mediators and not with officials.

On Tuesday Maduro said the MUD announced it is pulling outof the talks in Punta Cana (east), which the opposition has denied they tookplace.

"I hope for a speedy rectification of the MUD and ofthe true leaders of MUD and don’t leave the chairs empty," to internationalmediators, Maduro said.

Among the mediators in the commission who called on Maduro to help tablea political dialogue in Venezuela figure Spanish government president Jose LuisRodriguez Zapatero and former leader of the Dominican Republic Leonel Fernandezand of Panama, Martin Torrijos.