21.   The union took the decision after government officials presented fresh proposals to end a dispute over a government resolution opening up the domestic gasoline market to private companies.

22.   Union officials called the strike in protest of a government resolution, which was issued two weeks ago, opening the domestic gasoline market to private oil companies.

23.   Venezuelan President Rafael Caldera is expected to lift foreign exchange restrictions and raise domestic gasoline prices by nearly ten times in a national address planned for tonight.

24.   Venezuelan shares fell for a second day amid growing concern that a planned increase in domestic gasoline prices could lead to rioting.

25.   Union officials called the strike in protest of a government resolution that was issued two weeks ago opening the domestic gasoline market to private oil companies.

26.   Venezuelan President Rafael Caldera raised domestic gasoline prices six-fold last April in a bid to secure a loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund.

27.   With worldwide oil supplies plentiful and domestic gasoline prices at near-historic lows, extending the moratorium carries little political risk for the president.

28.   Yesterday, Planning Minister Edgar Paredes Pisani said talks between the two sides stalled over the issue of raising domestic gasoline prices.

29.   The move could delay for months the implementation of the WTO decision demanding that the United States treat imported gasoline the same as domestic gasoline.

30.   Under the upcoming liberalization of oil product imports in April, the expected stiffer competition is expected to dampen the domestic gasoline market.