DATE= 04/12/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH VENEZUELA UPDATE(S)

NUMBER=2-288651

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush says Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is responsible for the violence that led to the military forcing him from power. VOA's Scott Stearns reports, the Bush administration says it hopes the country's new leaders move quickly toward democracy.

TEXT: White House spokesman Ari Fleischer blames Mr. Chavez for provoking the crisis when his supporters opened fire on 150-thousand people marching on the presidential palace in Caracas.

/// FLEISCHER ACT ///

The Chavez government suppressed peaceful demonstrations. Government supporters, on orders from the Chavez government fired on unarmed, peaceful protestors resulting in ten killed and one-hundred wounded.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Fleischer says President Bush is saddened by the loss of life and expresses his solidarity with the Venezuelan people.

He says the president looks forward to working with all democratic forces in Venezuela to restore what he calls "the essential elements" of democracy.

(SIGNED)