MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Non-aggression pact in Venezuela.

Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez administration and the opposition signed a non aggression pact aimed at defusing tensions, according to the Organisation of American States, OAS, that has been mediating in the increasingly violent and acrimonious conflict.

OAS Secretary General Cesar Gaviria who has been at the head of the negotiations, backed by a six nations group including United States and Spain said the document is a foundation for a confidence building process.

Venezuelan opposition, mainly middle class, have been demanding president Chavez's resignation alleging the current administration is leading the country to a Cuban style authoritarian regime. Mr. Chavez, the father of the poor, as he's called by supporters, and a close friend of Mr. Fidel Castro, was re-elected in 2000 and refuses to consider calling a referendum on his rule until next August, as constitutionally viable.

"With the declaration we hope to bring a climate of understanding between all Venezuelans", said Mr. Gaviria.

The seven point declaration rejects "verbal intemperance, mutual recrimination, verbal attacks and any rhetoric aimed at confrontation", and calls on all political and social factions "to create a climate of peace and calm in the country".

Opponents call Mr. Chavez a "tyrant" and "monkey commander", while the president describes opponents as "fascist coup-plotters".

An ongoing national strike and a wave of demonstrations by both sides have paralyzed the country, led to killings and shootings, and endangered the country's oil production, one of the main United States suppliers.

Mr. Chavez, who last April survived a two days coup, has used troops and foreign replacement crews to restart the oil sector after the unions of Petróleos de Venezuela, the government managed company, went on indefinite strike.

Oil represents 80% of the country's exports and 60% of government revenue.