21.   An accord Friday between the lawmakers and the constitutional assembly to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict appeared doomed.

22.   But he said Congress would first have to approve a law creating a constitutional assembly, to be democratically elected.

23.   Chavalit, who campaigned for office by promising political reform, has been criticized for not supporting the work of the constitutional assembly.

24.   Chavez seemed to get a boost from two U.S. congressmen on a fact-finding mission to Venezuela who said they thought the constitutional assembly was operating within the law.

25.   Congress recessed last month and ceded the capitol premises to the constitutional assembly.

26.   Critics say Chavez wants to use constitutional assembly to create dictatorship.

27.   Constitutional assembly declares state of emergency for public powers.

28.   During the speech, the president insisted the constitutional assembly holds sway over all other government powers, including the presidency.

29.   Elections for constitutional assembly divide country.

30.   From the districts of Aileu, Covlima and Lautem, Fretelin won the majority of votes at a local level, giving it three seats in the constitutional assembly.