31.   The Venezuelan government said last week that seven groups, including one lead by CSN, registered to bid for the state steel company, known as Sidor.

32.   The Venezuelan government denied reports that its refineries had drastically reduced output.

33.   The Venezuelan government fired the head of the National Channels Institute in the wake of three oil tanker groundings in the last six weeks.

34.   The Venezuelan government postponed a meeting this morning to present a new rescue plan for Venezolana Internacional de Aviacion SA to unions.

35.   The Venezuelan government subsidizes gas prices, a handout that costs the government hundreds of millions of dollars a year, PDVSA officials said.

36.   Venezuelan government delegates leave Monday for Washington to resume negotiations with the International Monetary Fund on a shadow program agreement, a cabinet minister said.

37.   Venezuelan government officials earn less than their counterparts in other Latin American nations, government officials said.

38.   Unions last week rejected a restructuring plan hammered out by Iberia and the Venezuelan government at the end of January.

39.   Venezuelans have genuine grievances against Colombia, the Venezuelan government spokesman added.

40.   At the meeting, the Venezuelan government will present a master plan to reconstruct the affected areas, he said.