VENEZUELA

That this House notes the advances made by the Venezuelan people since the election of President Chávez in 1998, particularly in the fields of healthcare, education, land reform and redistribution of wealth; further notes that the groundwork for these advances was laid by the adoption of the 1999 constitution, the contents of which were ratified by referendum after an intense national debate; applauds President Chávez and his government for seeking to reform this constitution in an open and democratic way, with the maximum involvement of the Venezuelan people; condemns any interference with this peaceful and democratic process in the lead-up to a referendum on 2nd December, particularly from the country's old elite and their allies in the US Administration; and calls on the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to pledge their support for the progressive initatives of President Chávez's government and attempt to improve diplomatic relations, which deteriorated rapidly after the UK Government's tacit support of the failed 2002 coup.