Evening star., 1963-05-06
ALLIANCE
ALLIANCE
Election in Venezuela
Could Boost Cause
Continued From Page Al

Continued From Page Al
taken to the mountainous coun-
tryside. practiced terror, rob-
berry and murder in the cities,
and sabotaged the oilfields
which provide the lifeblood for
Venezuelan exports.
Economy Improving
At the same time the econ
omy is barely beginning to pull
out Of the tailspin begun in
1853 under the spendthrift and
corrupt dictatorship of Gen.
Perez Jimenez. Despite a.
healthy 7 per cent increase in
gross national products last
year, unemployment still hovers
around an explosive IL per cent.
The population grows at a.
phenomenal 4 per cent a year;
48 per cent Of the people are
under l8 years old, and every
year 10000 new workers join
the labor market.
Venezuelans have grown ac-
customed to living on the brink
of disaster. After private parties
conscientious hosts ferry their
guests home through deserted
streets and suburbs. Juvenile
delinquents and older criminals
are often more a threat than
political terrorists.
THE first person you call
when you take a new apart
ment here is the locksmith,"
said q young Venezuelan dip
lonlat who was in the process
of moving. II am having three
locks installed"
Red Tactics Backfire
The Communist tactic has
been to pile violence on violence
in order to turn social and
economic turmoil to their own
ends. But the plan has back
fired.
Proof comes in the refusal
so far of more moderate op-
position parties to join the
Communists in a National
Front" against the dominant
Democratic Action Party Of
President Betancourt. The gov
ernment has outlawed the ex-
treme left, forbidden it to print
newspapers, to hold meetings
or to participate in election
tribunals.
Pending q long delayed Su-
preme Court decision. this gov
ernment action seems likely to
stick. What is the use of join
ing forces with a group who
cannot pull more than 100000
votes tout of q total 3.5 mil
lion) ?" said Raul Jimenez,
leader of a diSsident group for
merly with President Betan-
court, about a front with the
extreme left.
Communist ranks are clearly
In disarray. The Communist
leaders talk out Of two sides
of their mouths. From the
one, they breathe fire and rev.
olution. From the other, they
plead for legality and a united
opposition against the "Betan-
court dictatorship"
School Is Sanctuary
"Betancourt is the Vene-
zuelan Billy the Kid" stormed
Hector Mujica, Communist dean
of the school of journalism In
Caracas Central University.
When he breaks the law, we
break the law. We pay him
back in the same COIN"
Outside in the hall the school
bulletin board exhibited large
pictures of student guerrillas
in the hinterlands. On the Sec
retary's desk envelopes from
the Soviet Tass news agency
carried bulletins addressed to
each professor in the school.
This Communist sanctuary is
protected by university auton-
omy from government control.
But over at Congress the
Communist line is milder.
We want to run candidates
In Q great democratic opposi-
ton 'front.'" said Jesus Faria,
! Communist deputy and assist
ant leader Of the congressional
party group. The situation is
quieter now. But without us,
there can be no elections"
Successor a Problem
But the real problem is no
longer Communist tactics. 1t is
how to find. elect and install a
successor to President Betan-
court. The major weakness of
Venezuelan democracy is that
not one candidate on the hori-
zon has the national stature Of
the present President.
His natural successors all
lie In graves dug during years
of fighting dictatorship here"
explained a close adviser Of the
President. Our problem is to
find someone who can govern
the army and the rich, as well
as the masses" said another.
To the dismay Of almost ev-
eryone, President Betancourt
has steadfastly refused to join
the search for his successor.
Despite editorial pleas and less
public urgings from advisers.
he has firmly maintained that
the democratic health Of the
country depends upon party
politics finding a solution, not
a caudillo-president imposing
one.
THE President is only being
loyal to his beliefs" said Raul
Leoni, friend, chief lieutenant
and possible successor TO Mr..
Betancourt. Mr.. Leoni is presi-
dent OF the Democratic Action
Party.
For 40 wears Mr.. Betan-