In an interview with controversial opposition columnist Martha Colmenares, former Venezuelan President Carlos Andres Perez (CAP) says he does not believe that President Hugo Chavez Frias will accept to go to a revocatory referendum.  While he says he approves of the way in which democratic organizations in Venezuela have agreed to accept a  referendum solution, he believes that Chavez Frias will use "every trick in the book to prevent it from taking place."

Corruption-convicted Perez (who was impeached and removed from office in 1993 on multi-$ million corruption charges) was speaking on the phone from his current hideaway in the Dominican Republic.

"Venezuelans do not have any other alternative, no matter how much they seek a peaceful solution ... Chavez is not going to leave power through the application of Constitutional means ... the participation of international organization in an eventual referendum is purely decorative, counter productive, because they give legitimacy to what is happening as an agreement when in reality nothing is agreed other than that he has to go."

"Our (political) efforts over many years have been to get the military out of active participation in Venezuelan politics and now their intervention appears to be the only way to achieve a democratic solution from the Venezuelan tragedy ... I recognize, without any hesitation, that this must be the inevitable solution."

"As Venezuelans we must not admit or tolerate that Chavez Frias, and his government continue to destroy Venezuela and its institutions ... when the last few pacific means are exhausted with this mockery of a referendum, Article 350 in the Constitution remains as the only action the military can take to prevent the Chavista insanity of institutional destruction."

"Of course, there's a risk that they will call me a coupster ... which is rather funny since Chavez Frias is the true coupster ... for I consider that the solution to our dramatic crisis is to pass power first to a civilian-military junta for a period of two years with the objective to return Venezuela to democratic rule and to get away from the hatred of Chavista sermons and to recuperate all the democratic institutions, then to call general elections which will return Venezuela to a broad and complete democracy with modern political parties created and restructured which will guarantee that we will not commit the same errors as have been committed in the past."

"I do not want to alarm my Venezuelan compatriots by making such a clear and categorical statement ... I invite everyone, without exception, to unite in this undeniable proposal which is the product of a reality which we all must see.  The Chavista autocracy doe not admit or allow an exit which will pave the way to what I am signaling."

As regards a relationship between President Hugo Chavez and Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, ex-President Carlos Andres Perez says "Fidel Castro has always been the way he is ... my relations with him were very close and continued during my presidency, but in now way did I ally myself to his ideology or to his way of being or to think but it was, admittedly a failure, to try to bring about a solution for Cuba.  I worked with several Latin American leaders with this common objective and with Felipe Gonzalez of Spain ... but we did not get any conciliation or favors out of the tyrant ... for Fidel Castro, the presence of Chavez Frias has been a great help ... Fidel has used Chavez ... the oil deal is just one example ... from time to time, Castro counsels Chavez ... I am sure that he had been listening to his mentor as he himself says repeatedly."

"I have no doubt that Cubans are fighting in Venezuela as if it were their own backyard ... Fidel Castro's agents ... although I wouldn't dare to say how many there are ... but I have no doubt that it is absolutely certain that the security services count on an important number of Cubans, groups of bodyguards for Chavez who shows his cowardice by always wearing body armor as we say in the July 5 parade when his vehicle was surrounded by security agents leaving the disagreeable impression of a man who is afraid of his own shadow!"

"Venezuela's dilemma is categorical and precise ... it is a choice between Democracy and Dictatorship.  What we must do now is to get Chavez Frias out of a position of power and to re-structure our democracy, elections and party politics.  At the moment is crazy to rest one's laurels on a single proposal to go to a revocatory referendum!"