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January 2003Latest NewsPosted: Friday, January 31, 2003 ¤ Pentagon Stocks Up on Body Bags ¤ Episcopal Leader Criticizes U.S. Policy ¤ The Many Wars of George W. Bush ¤ Blinded by Belligerence ¤ Not Our Finest Hour ¤ A War Crime or an Act of War? ¤ Iraq paper says "idiot" Bush may fabricate evidence ¤ Poll Shows Opposition To War Is Growing ¤ Mandela attacks Blair and Bush ¤ How Saddam plotted to get A-bomb power ¤ Why an attack now would be so very dangerous ¤ Sharon's victory presages internal strife ¤ US launches large military operation in southern Afghanistan ¤ George Bush with clown's nose T-shirt gets airing in Brazil ¤ Chinese capitalism: industrial powerhouse or sweatshop of the world? ¤ US seeks to delay Mideast peace plan ¤ Blix Says He Saw Nothing to Prompt a War ¤ Iraq: U.S. Could Plant Weapons Evidence ¤ Israeli jets buzz Lebanon ¤ Public back campaign against war on Iraq ¤ Eight out of 10 Britons oppose unilateral war on Iraq: Poll ¤ Norwegian may not support war, even with new resolution ¤ 4 Americans Die in Afghanistan Crash ¤ Seven Dead in Australia Train Accident ¤ Blair pressed to back final deadline for war ¤ Dismay in Brussels at break in ranks ¤ Open arms ¤ Soon the military timetable will start to dictate events ¤ Bush is a shameless charlatan, says Pyongyang ¤ Why break Europe for this senseless war? ¤ A show of weakness in a divided continent ¤ War on Iraq unjustified: APC ¤ UN inspector terms North Korea greater threat than Iraq ¤ Turkey and the Iraq war ¤ Sanctioning the spilling of blood ¤ An ugly turnaround ¤ Bush to turn up heat on UN waverers ¤ No proof of Iraq, al-Qaeda links: analysts ¤ Security aides scramble to build credible Powell case ¤ Forget about evidence, look at the facts ¤ The Crusade to Baghdad Latest News Posted: Friday, January 31, 2003 ¤ Mandela attacks Blair and Bush ¤ 4 Americans Die in Afghanistan Crash ¤ Seven Dead in Australia Train Accident ¤ Blair pressed to back final deadline for war ¤ Dismay in Brussels at break in ranks ¤ Open arms ¤ Soon the military timetable will start to dictate events ¤ Bush is a shameless charlatan, says Pyongyang ¤ Why break Europe for this senseless war? ¤ A show of weakness in a divided continent ¤ War on Iraq unjustified: APC ¤ UN inspector terms North Korea greater threat than Iraq ¤ Turkey and the Iraq war ¤ Sanctioning the spilling of blood ¤ An ugly turnaround ¤ Bush to turn up heat on UN waverers ¤ No proof of Iraq, al-Qaeda links: analysts ¤ Security aides scramble to build credible Powell case ¤ Forget about evidence, look at the facts ¤ The Crusade to Baghdad Update : Jan. 31, 2003 Posted: Friday, January 31, 2003 Trini Comments on Terror Threat I believe the Trinidad Express became a pawn in a bigger plot. It is possible that U.S. agencies working with some members of the opposition party staged the 'terror lab' incident with or without the knowledge of the journalist. The Trinidad Express in their greed for higher ratings was duped into publishing that story. Making the Links: ¤ Trinidad and Tobago ships gasoline to Venezuela ¤ U.S. and UK encourage Cruise Ships to pull out of T&T ¤ TT Islamic group threatens to use chemical and biological weapons ¤ Detoxifying Trinidad's Terrorist Threat ¤ No evidence of terrorists in TT ¤ Form of Terrorism ¤ Unintelligent intelligence El paro pasa a la fase de "horario restringido" The Trinidad Express aided Terrorists Posted: Friday, January 31, 2003 "A truth that's told with bad intent, beats all the lies you can invent." -William Blake What they reported was not the truth but even if they believed it was, the Trinidad Express clearly intended to exploit this story for media ratings and sensation and not the safety of people as they want us to believe. On a Radio talk-show today, Dale Enoch, the head of the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT), is still trying to defend the actions of the Journalist and the Trinidad Express following their Sunday's sensational story about a group of Terrorists in Trinidad and Tobago. The media association should be called MATTRESS because it appears that Dale Enoch is in charge of sleepers. To quote the Trinidad Express: "A continuing investigation by the Sunday Express into the intelligence reports by US and British agencies, last week led this newspaper to a secret location where it was shown several substances which were described as "organic and inorganic chemical compounds used to manufacture various weapons".The Trinidad Express and the 'journalist' in question should have promptly contacted the police once they believed the threats. Even if the government and the police after their investigations found that no such threat existed, the report would have been a credible bit of news if they did the right thing first. But they really cannot claim what they published was investigative journalism when they did not confirm anything. What they published was not credible but incredible. The Trinidad Express is not qualified to verify the substances they displayed so there was little to be gained by allowing their personnel to be blindly led to the 'hidden laboratory' except for those sensational photos. The photos were the proof that they were there simply to exploit the story for commercial purposes. Notwithstanding the fact that most locals are treating the threats as a hoax, the journalist involved said he believed the threats were credible. The Trinidad Express failed to promptly notify the authorities and in so doing/not doing, the journalists and the Trinidad Express became part of the terrorist plot. Today the Trinidad Guardian Newspapers is reporting a case (Mom in jail for failing to report) about a mother appearing in court charged with refusing to inform the police that her daughter was being sexually abused. Anyone with a little sense would see that if the mother was aware the child was being abused and failed to report it, then the mother contributed to the abuse of the child. If the Trinidad Express got a phone call that a bomb in a briefcase was placed in their building, they would promptly call the police and evacuate the building. They would not write the story for the police to learn of it days later through the media. Their primary concern would be their safety and that is the appropriate conduct. In this 'lab threat' report their conduct was inappropriate and dangerous. The Trinidad Express became part of the plot to terrorize the nation when they failed to promptly notify the relevant authorities upon believing the threat to be credible. (The reporter said he believed it was credible.) Taking the time to write the story then publishing it should have followed a prompt report to the authorities. They should also be held liable if people and businesses suffer losses as a result of their irresponsible conduct. The media does not have the right to collaborate with others to terrorize a nation like some are doing in Venezuela, the UK and the United States of America. During a radio interview, the journalist involved in the story spoke about his journalistic right to protect his sources. Apparently, he has little or no intention to fully assist the police in investigating the matter. The point that should be made to all people including journalists is that their primary responsibility is to secure lives before their own narrow interest. When this point is clearly made it would also make it difficult for terrorists to use the media as a weapon in their plot. Clearly, the journalist and the media in question felt that their 'journalistic principles' were more important than the lives of all the people in the country. For my part the 'journalist' could keep his sources and go to jail for his complicity in the affair while the government investigates the story. Seeing that they played for international attention, consider this: Cambodian radio station owner charged with inciting riots by false reporting By Jan McGirk in Bangkok, Independent/UK MAKE THE REAL CONNECTIONS: ¤ DIALOGUE: T&T's Terrorist Threat ¤ Trinidad and Tobago ships gasoline to Venezuela ¤ U.S. and UK encourage Cruise Ships to pull out of T&T ¤ Form of Terrorism ¤ Unintelligent intelligence The intention was to plant the story From: Angela February 02, 2003 The terrorists' intention was to plant that story in a major newspaper to embarrass the government and the country. That is why up to now we cannot hear anything from the supposed terrorists again. The Express cooperated to terrorize Trinidad and Tobago with an investigative-report-that-was-not. Update : Jan. 30, 2003 Posted: Thursday, January 30, 2003 George Bush senior to spend luxury holiday with Gustavo Cisneros Former US President George P. Bush is heading to the Dominican Republic for a luxury holiday, where he will spend quality time with anti-government Venezuelan media tycoon Gustavo Cisneros, who President Hugo Chavez Frias accuses of leading a push for a coup d'etat to have him forcibly removed from office. The Venezuelan leader has threatened to take action against many privately-owned media companies ... particularly the four privately-owned TV stations ... for broadcasting "seditious opposition propaganda" and a series of advertisements urging Venezuelans to support the work stoppage, which has had devastating effects on the country's economy. by Robert Rudnicki, vheadline.com Trinidad and Tobago's Terrorist Threat Posted: Thursday, January 30, 2003 Trinicenter Staff We may never be absolutely clear on the real motives behind the half-baked story in the Trinidad Express Newspapers in Trinidad and Tobago headlined, "Islamic group unveils secret 'chemical labs'", which was about a threat from an 'Islamic group' in Trinidad and Tobago. However we do know shoddy and sensationalistic journalism when we see it. Unfortunately, most people in Trinidad and Tobago seem unaffected by the International opposition to the US actions following 9/11. So it was surprising to most Trinidadians that there is a group in Trinidad and Tobago that was planning to reek havoc in opposition to the US' actions. Such a group never identified themselves in the print and electronic press. Supporters of our Websites in Trinidad and Tobago have been assisting in keeping the general public informed with alternative news and views on the 'War on Terror' and the events in Venezuela via the numerous call-in programs. We have openly demonstrated our opposition to all Terrorist actions including the present US actions and we believe if a serious group existed in Trinidad and Tobago they may have tried to contact us at some point in time, as we are very vocal on these issues. We also operate a Website (UScrusade.com) that is severely critical of the present United States' actions. No one has ever contacted us claiming to be part of any terrorist group and we are not aware of any such group in Trinidad and Tobago. Generally, the commercial media in Trinidad and Tobago does not facilitate informed debates on these International issues. They feed the public whatever comes from news agencies like BBC, Reuters and the Associated Press, without any analysis or evaluation of the reports. To date, most people have not been moved to protest any of the actions following the U.S. 9/11 attacks. The country is still engulfed in political tensions, which dominate the numerous talk shows. There are several groups that may wish to further tarnish the image of this country not least of which is the opposition party. Following the US, UK and UN terrorism travel advisory which came soon after a shipment of gasoline left our shores for Venezuela, the idea to exacerbate the situation for political motives may have been born. There is a group of Venezuelans in Trinidad and Tobago who opposed the shipment of gasoline to Venezuela because they saw it as support for Chavez. We believe that the US had their eyes on this country because of the presence of an Islamic group that violently attempted to overthrow the government in 1990. They may have also been concerned following the shipment of gasoline to Venezuela during Venezuela's business shutdown. Anyone could have been behind this threat. Freedom of expressions does not mean that someone is allowed to walk into a crowded building and shout fire while not believing there is one. If the Trinidad Express receives a bomb scare, even if they do not believe the threat is credible, their first response would be to contact the police and be guided by the police directives and investigation. In a similar manner that terrorist threat should have been treated like a bomb scare. It should have been reported to the police immediately and the police investigations should have been part of the story. Whether the Trinidad Express and the journalist in question took the threat seriously or not, their first responsibility should have been the safety of our citizens. They did not have the means to verify the threat and the responsible agencies should have been immediately notified. In consideration for the present international climate on Terrorism they should have also known that even if most locals dismissed the report as a hoax, the international community may not be aware of the possible political agendas behind the threat and the hostile political climate in the country. The Trinidad Express certainly demonstrated that they did not consider this a serious threat. Most people on the streets do not take the threats seriously, believing it to be another stunt from the Opposition party (UNC) that seems unable to adjust following their defeat at the last general elections 2002. Former Prime Minister now opposition leader, Basdeo Panday, remains bitter following his defeat at the polls and Trinidad have been experiencing what seems to be politically motivated staged incidents aimed at discrediting opposing political parties. The reporter, Darryl Heeralal, who did that shoddy bit of journalism for the Trinidad Express would not have been able to convince us at Trinicenter.com to carry that story with so many unanswered questions. We would have called the police immediately upon hearing of that threat. To further sensationalize the story, the Trinidad Express published a picture of the blindfolded journalist in the front page of their newspapers and Internet edition and without that picture most people would not have given the story a second glance. The reporter became the central figure in the plot. The bottles that were displayed during the Trinidad Express' Television newscast were regular drinks bottles and the powder on the tables could have been anything from dirt to baby's powder. The information the so-called terrorist gave the 'reporter' was easily available on the Internet and the 'reporter' said that the 'terrorists' refused to give him samples to verify the claims. Why did he not insist that someone who could have verified the substances go along with them? If the journalist really believed that a group of people did possess chemical and biological weapons or were playing around with ingredients to produce such weapons then why did he not wear some form of protective clothing? Why did he allow himself to be blindly led into such a 'dangerous' environment? How was he convinced that these people were adhering to proper laboratory standards to ensure there was no careless contamination? If there is a radical group bent on destruction then certainly they are not bound to established safety standards. The reporter certainly trusted the lunatics. Are we to believe that the reporter and the editors at the Trinidad Express were unconcerned about the possibility of that reporter and photographer returning to contaminate other people in and out of their media house? The real concern is that some one or group may actually be planning to do serious harm and when it gets reported it may be treated as another hoax. There may also be an attempt to make the story seem credible. We may never get to the bottom of this story like the quantity of cocaine and missiles found in a water tank in the home of one of the ex-ministers. The police are investigating the story and are searching for the possible lab. In our opinion the Trinidad Express acted irresponsibly by not promptly notifying the police and other relevant authorities upon hearing of this threat to our nation. Detoxifying Trinidad's Terrorist Threat Posted: Thursday, January 30, 2003 Trinicenter Staff Updated 12:58PM We may never be absolutely clear on the real motives behind the half-baked story in the Trinidad Express Newspapers in Trinidad and Tobago headlined, "Islamic group unveils secret 'chemical labs'", which was about a threat from an 'Islamic group' in Trinidad and Tobago. However we do know shoddy and sensationalistic journalism when we see it. Unfortunately, most people in Trinidad and Tobago seem unaffected by the International opposition to the US actions following 9/11. So it was surprising to most Trinidadians that there is a group in Trinidad and Tobago that was planning to reek havoc in opposition to the US' actions. Such a group never identified themselves in the print and electronic press. Supporters of our Websites in Trinidad and Tobago have been assisting in keeping the general public informed with alternative news and views on the 'War on Terror' and the events in Venezuela via the numerous call-in programs. We have openly demonstrated our opposition to all Terrorist actions including the present US actions and we believe if a serious group existed in Trinidad and Tobago they may have tried to contact us at some point in time, as we are very vocal on these issues. We also operate a Website (UScrusade.com) that is severely critical of the present United States' actions. No one has ever contacted us claiming to be part of any terrorist group and we are not aware of any such group in Trinidad and Tobago. Generally, the commercial media in Trinidad and Tobago does not facilitate informed debates on these International issues. They feed the public whatever comes from news agencies like BBC, Reuters and the Associated Press, without any analysis or evaluation of the reports. To date, most people have not been moved to protest any of the actions following the U.S. 9/11 attacks. The country is still engulfed in political tensions, which dominate the numerous talk shows. There are several groups that may wish to further tarnish the image of this country not least of which is the opposition party. Following the US, UK and UN terrorism travel advisory which came soon after a shipment of gasoline left our shores for Venezuela, the idea to exacerbate the situation for political motives may have been born. There is a group of Venezuelans in Trinidad and Tobago who opposed the shipment of gasoline to Venezuela because they saw it as support for Chavez. We believe that the US had their eyes on this country because of the presence of an Islamic group that violently attempted to overthrow the government in 1990. They may have also been concerned following the shipment of gasoline to Venezuela during Venezuela's business shutdown. Anyone could have been behind this threat. Freedom of expressions does not mean that someone is allowed to walk into a crowded building and shout fire while not believing there is one. If the Trinidad Express receives a bomb scare, even if they do not believe the threat is credible, their first response would be to contact the police and be guided by the police directives and investigation. In a similar manner that terrorist threat should have been treated like a bomb scare. It should have been reported to the police immediately and the police investigations should have been part of the story. Whether the Trinidad Express and the journalist in question took the threat seriously or not, their first responsibility should have been the safety of our citizens. They did not have the means to verify the threat and the responsible agencies should have been immediately notified. In consideration for the present international climate on Terrorism they should have also known that even if most locals dismissed the report as a hoax, the international community may not be aware of the possible political agendas behind the threat and the hostile political climate in the country. The Trinidad Express certainly demonstrated that they did not consider this a serious threat. Most people on the streets do not take the threats seriously, believing it to be another stunt from the Opposition party (UNC) that seems unable to adjust following their defeat at the last general elections 2002. Former Prime Minister now opposition leader, Basdeo Panday, remains bitter following his defeat at the polls and Trinidad have been experiencing what seems to be politically motivated staged incidents aimed at discrediting opposing political parties. The reporter, Darryl Heeralal, who did that shoddy bit of journalism for the Trinidad Express would not have been able to convince us at Trinicenter.com to carry that story with so many unanswered questions. We would have called the police immediately upon hearing of that threat. To further sensationalize the story, the Trinidad Express published a picture of the blindfolded journalist in the front page of their newspapers and Internet edition and without that picture most people would not have given the story a second glance. The reporter became the central figure in the plot. The bottles that were displayed during the Trinidad Express' Television newscast were regular drinks bottles and the powder on the tables could have been anything from dirt to baby's powder. The information the so-called terrorist gave the 'reporter' was easily available on the Internet and the 'reporter' said that the 'terrorists' refused to give him samples to verify the claims. Why did he not insist that someone who could have verified the substances go along with them? If the journalist really believed that a group of people did possess chemical and biological weapons or were playing around with ingredients to produce such weapons then why did he not wear some form of protective clothing? Why did he allow himself to be blindly led into such a 'dangerous' environment? How was he convinced that these people were adhering to proper laboratory standards to ensure there was no careless contamination? If there is a radical group bent on destruction then certainly they are not bound to established safety standards. The reporter certainly trusted the lunatics. Are we to believe that the reporter and the editors at the Trinidad Express were unconcerned about the possibility of that reporter and photographer returning to contaminate other people in and out of their media house? The real concern is that some one or group may actually be planning to do serious harm and when it gets reported it may be treated as another hoax. There may also be an attempt to make the story seem credible. We may never get to the bottom of this story like the quantity of cocaine and missiles found in a water tank in the home of one of the ex-ministers. The police are investigating the story and are searching for the possible lab. In our opinion the Trinidad Express acted irresponsibly by not promptly notifying the police and other relevant authorities upon hearing of this threat to our nation. Latest News Posted: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 ¤ 11 of 15 Security Council members support continuation of inspections ¤ The president didn't address state of union ¤ Graham: Show me evidence ¤ Schröder Remains Opposed To War On Iraq ¤ Russia: Unaware of Iraq Links with Al Qaeda ¤ Bush, Berlusconi to Discuss Iraq ¤ Iraqi warheads test negative for chemical agents ¤ IAEA's Elbaradei Says Iraq Not in Material Breach ¤ US Will Announce Iraq War In 3 Weeks ¤ Anti-war protest ban is "stupid" ¤ Israeli Troops, Tanks Sweep Across Hebron ¤ Powell to bring photos to U.N. ¤ NO Evidence of Iraqi Weapons UNTIL After War ¤ All Bush wants is Iraqi oil, says Mandela ¤ Iraq Paper: Bush Speech 'Hollywood Farce' ¤ International Support Scarce for Iraq War ¤ Beating around the Bush ¤ Bush's weak case for war on Iraq ¤ White House cancels poetry reading ¤ Key powers not swayed by Bush ¤ Protesters Tell Bush, 'We're Not Buying It' ¤ Jordan said to OK limited US access to airspace, bases ¤ Oil is the reason for war ¤ Report: Iraqi spies in U.S. No, it is Protestors ¤ Nepal govt, Maoists declare immediate truce ¤ Security Council divided over the next step ¤ Blair steps up global propaganda war on Iraq ¤ To Arab ears, speech was just a war whoop ¤ We won't automatically join war, says Australian PM ¤ Talk of war and peace in North Korea ¤ Bush's rallying cry for war ¤ Unilateral action in Iraq 'would violate international law' ¤ Sharon team aim to lure moderate coalition partners ¤ Diplomacy in 'final phase' ¤ Eight leaders rally 'new' Europe to America's side ¤ War jitters in Europe ¤ Employers angry over reservists ¤ US mulls air strategies in Iraq ¤ Trinidadian Islamic group threatens to use chemical and biological weapons ¤ Detoxifying Trinidad's Terrorist Threat ¤ No evidence of terrorists in TT ¤ Security Council remains unswayed ¤ Turkey favours NATO security measures against Iraq Latest News Posted: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 ¤ Iraq's Suffering Children and Impoverished Existence from Sanctions ¤ Scientists say bioterror threat 'exaggerated' ¤ State of the union address: what the US papers say ¤ Pilger: Blair Is A Coward ¤ Counting the dead ¤ The Empire Strikes First ¤ Power Lust ¤ Is George W. Bush an imperialist? ¤ Missiles to Go. Civilians, Too. ¤ U.N. Finds No Proof of Nuclear Program ¤ Stormin' Norman: Don't rush into war ¤ U.S. unilateralism a threat to world peace ¤ Anti-war protesters announce Feb. 15 rally for `millions' ¤ Indonesians Seem Unconvinced by Bush Arguments on Iraq ¤ Congress Divided on Bush's Iraq Rhetoric ¤ Bush rejects calls to contain Saddam ¤ Bush Iraq Evidence Lies ¤ Blair: North Korea is next ¤ US forces using controversial ammo ¤ Vintage Bush seeks to satisfy gut instincts ¤ Blowing the U.N. a goodbye kiss ¤ Blix report to the UN masks US imperialist war aims ¤ Prevent 'catastrophe' over Iraq, pleads EU ¤ Ohio Democrat blasts Bush ¤ Locals aren't convinced war is needed ¤ Grate of the Onion Regress ¤ Bush listens to campaign contributions, not public opinion ¤ America's dangerous new style of war ¤ Reading between Bush's lips ¤ Dollar retests 3-year low vs euro on Iraq fears ¤ Bush speech deepens war doubts ¤ Mr. President ... Get Real ¤ ANTI WAR CAMPAIGN HITS 157,000 ¤ Bin Laden and the CIA: Is Bush Guilty of Mass Murder? ¤ The Ignorance of US threats and Inspections ¤ Iraq rejects al-Qaeda links ¤ Striking Venezuelan oil workers sacked ¤ Bush seeks to rally Americans in speech ¤ War is all but certain, says Bush ¤ Powell to Tell U.N. Council of Arms Evidence ¤ Plutonium for 25 bombs missing in Japan ¤ Win leaves Sharon with a political jigsaw puzzle ¤ Bush Stiffens Warning of War With Iraq ¤ Missiles to Go. Civilians, Too ¤ Unity on extending inspections, but little else ¤ Bush's 2003 State of the Union Speech ¤ Key Points in Bush's State of the Union Speech ¤ Bush Promises 'Full Force' if There Is Iraq War ¤ Voters snub peace candidate and opt for more from hardliner Sharon ¤ Hundreds of US troops locked in fiercest Afghan battle ¤ Ethnic riots kill six in Ivory Coast ¤ US will reveal new intelligence on Iraq weapons ¤ US B-1 jets drop 19 2000-pound bombs on Taliban positions ¤ US must silence war drums: MMA ¤ Four Palestinians shot dead, three die in blast ¤ 44 dead in Calcutta bus-truck collision ¤ Stronger than ever ¤ Presidential voice ¤ 18 Afghan Rebels Die in Clash With U.S. ¤ Children of war weigh odds on a new conflict ¤ Bush works hard to be word perfect ¤ The United States has gone war-mad ¤ UN fails to agree on date to tackle North Korea ¤ Bush hits phones in final war push ¤ War may be on hold despite Blix blast ¤ US hopes its proof will swing doubters Update : Jan. 29, 2003 Posted: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 President Hugo Chavez Frias on the offensive It is one of life's little ironies that the impending reopening of that symbol of American capitalism, McDonalds Hamburgers, which is still on "strike" against the Venezuelan government, will be hailed as a victory for President Chavez and the Bolivarian Revolution. But perhaps we should not be too surprised. By: Calvin Tucker Latest News Posted: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 ¤ War will unleash terrorism in Europe, French official says ¤ U.S. Forces Fighting Afghan Rebels ¤ Colombia war takes 'right' turn ¤ Turnout Low as Israelis Vote ¤ Shalom: Iraq war will be good for Israel ¤ Iraq set tougher weapons test by Blix ¤ Bush to Stop Short of Justifying War ¤ Kabuki theater, Iraq-style ¤ Seoul envoy to meet North's leader ¤ N. Korea accuses U.S. of planning attack ¤ Anger and Islam Rise in Jordan ¤ At the Afghan Border, Warnings of Attacks Tied to Iraq War ¤ Pakistan 'downs Indian spy plane' ¤ Hypocrisy about biological weapons ¤ Soldiers beware ¤ The Case for Not Invading Iraq ¤ Countries unite to say no to war ¤ Bush to accuse Iraq of training al-Qaida ¤ Minister rips 'evil' U.S. leadership ¤ Iraq poisons US economy: analysts ¤ Bush to show direct link of Iraq, al Qaeda ¤ Bush befuddled over Blix report ¤ The Sorry State Of The Union ¤ Left Turns in South America ¤ Who leaked Iraq's arms declaration? ¤ Another step towards war ¤ France scuppers EU Zimbabwe sanctions ¤ China executes Tibetan activist for bombings ¤ The war within Israel ¤ An engineered crisis ¤ Inspectors expose Iraq's violations ¤ The Blix Report ¤ The Baradei Report ¤ More inspections, not conflict, say Europeans ¤ Embattled Bush now faces trouble on many fronts ¤ No smoking gun, says Iraq report ¤ World tells leaders on warpath to hold on ¤ We don't need Europe: Powell ¤ Weekend bloodbath 'Sharon election ploy' ¤ North Korea faces new crisis as economic reform falters Opposition Losing Steam, Consults James Carville Posted: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 January 26, 2003, www.americas.org On January 22 Venezuela's Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) suspended a nonbinding referendum scheduled for February 2 in which voters could call for left-populist President Hugo Chávez Frías to resign. The center-right opposition filed 2 million signatures November 4 on a petition for the referendum, but the TSJ ruled on November 28 that at least four of the five members of the National Electoral Council (CNE) had to support the referendum to schedule it. In the January 22 decision, the TSJ suspended the referendum until it had ruled on whether Leonardo Pizani could be counted as one of the CNE members. Pizani had quit in 2000 but rejoined in November, saying Congress had never accepted his resignation. (El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 1/23/03 from AP; Miami Herald 1/26/03 from AP) The suspension of the referendum came as the loose opposition coalition appeared to be fragmenting and losing international backing for its efforts to remove Chávez from office. On January 21, shipping sources reported that 70 percent of tanker pilots for the state oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela. (PDVSA), in Lake Maracaibo were quitting the "national civic strike" that the opposition began against Chávez on December 2. This will allow the company to move strike-bound vessels and will weaken the PDVSA employees' job action, the strike's strongest part. (Financial Times (UK) 1/22/03) According to a telephone poll by Consultores 21, published in the daily Tal Cual on January 19, 76 percent of Venezuelans think the strike will not achieve its goals, and 49 percent favor suspending it, against 46 percent who feel it should continue. (La Jornada (Mexico) 1/20/03 from AFP, Reuters, DPA, PL) [Telephone polls in Venezuela are skewed towards middle-class urban residents, who are more likely to have telephone service and to support the opposition.] On January 21 former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, the 2002 Nobel peace prize winner, announced his proposals for resolving the crisis: the opposition would suspend the strike and, in exchange, Chávez would either back a constitutional amendment requiring early elections for the presidency and the Congress in which he could run again, or support a binding referendum on August 19, halfway through his six-year term, through which voters could recall him. Both proposals fall far short of the opposition's demand for Chávez to step down immediately and be replaced by early elections in which he could not run. Chávez has consistently supported the idea of an August referendum, which is allowed for in the 1999 Constitution written by his supporters, and which Chávez thinks he can win [Update #659, 665, 672]. He is less supportive of the amendment for early elections, but analysts feel he could win there as well. Many doubt that the opposition would be able to unite behind a candidate strong enough to beat Chávez. (LJ 1/22/03 from correspondent) Ruling circles in the United States quickly backed the Carter proposals. The New York Times said in an editorial that they might be "the best hope for a peaceful, democratic outcome to Venezuela's political crisis." (NYT 1/24/03) The proposals also got the support of the rightwing government of U.S. President George W. Bush, which a month earlier was openly backing the opposition's demands. In a January 24 statement to the "Friends of Venezuela" group of five countries, U.S. Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell called Carter's plan "the best path for Venezuelans" and "a way out of the current impasse." Parts of the opposition coalition in Venezuela quickly followed the U.S. lead. The Carter plan "is the same as Chávez's proposal," one opposition leader told the New York Times, but "it was positive because it came from Carter." (NYT 1/25/03) Some analysts feel that the opposition has actually helped Chávez push forward his populist "Bolivarian revolution." The strike has weakened the private sector and allowed Chávez to force conservative elements out of PDVSA; a coup attempt last April gave Chávez a chance to purge the military of his opponents. "They've handed themselves to Chávez on a platter," a foreign diplomat told the Washington Post in Caracas. Veteran British Latin America reporter Richard Gott says the strike "appears to be concluding with President Hugo Chávez ever more firmly in the saddle." Opposition leaders are now consulting informally with U.S. Democratic Party strategist James Carville to improve their public relations abroad. (WP 1/20/03 from correspondent, The Guardian (UK) 1/17/03) One person was killed and 28 were wounded in a January 20 confrontation between Chávez supporters and opponents in Charallave, 50 km southwest of Caracas. Carlos García Arriechi was the sixth person to die since the national strike began. Unknown persons shot into the crowd as Chávez opponents tried to enter the town, a Chávez stronghold. (LJ 1/21/03 from correspondent; ENH 1/21/03 from Reuters) Another person was killed on January 23 and at least 14 were wounded when a grenade or small bomb exploded near a massive march by Chávez supporters in Caracas. The explosion took place on Avenida México, one block from the march and near a subway entrance that was filled with government sympathizers. (LJ 1/24/03 from correspondent) More than a dozen items such as this appear in each Weekly News Update on the Americas (ISSN 1084-922X), published Sundays by the Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater New York. For a one-year subscription (electronic or hard copy costs $25 in the United States), a free one-month trial, back issues or source material, contact the network at 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012, 212-674-9499, wnu@igc.org. Permission to reproduce this item is authorized if the reproduction includes this paragraph. United Opposition to Neoliberalism in Bolivia? Posted: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 Left Turns in South America: United Opposition to Neoliberalism in Bolivia? by FORREST HYLTON "Instead of imitating Álvaro Uribe, Sánchez de Lozada should learn from Lula." - Evo Morales Excepting Colombia, as "traditional" political parties and national economies disintegrate, South America has moved swiftly left in the new millennium: just over a year ago, Argentina witnessed a mass uprising of unprecedented proportions, while neo-populist regimes are now in power in Brazil, Venezuela, and Ecuador. In Bolivia, a country in which Left parties have never obtained more than 3.5% of the vote, Evo Morales, leader of the coca growers' trade union federation and the country's chief opposition party, MAS (Movement Toward Socialism), won 20% of the vote. He lost the presidential elections in June 2002 by a narrow margin, and only because he refused to enter into alliances with any of the neoliberal parties. When Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada, who ruled Bolivia from 1993-97, was sworn in as president for a second time this past August, it was clear that neoliberalism was hobbling on its last legs. Sánchez de Lozada faced a different political scenario than the one he helped create as Senator in 1985 with Decree 21060 and the New Economic Policy, which brought full-blown neoliberalism to Bolivia. The communist tin miners' movement-the core of Latin America's most combative proletariat in the second half of the twentieth century-was broken by President Victor Paz Estenssoro, the very man who had risen to power on the strength of the miner-led national revolution in 1952. The highland Aymara movement, which had resurfaced with force in La Paz and the surrounding countryside during and after the dictatorship of General Hugo Bánzer Suárez (1971-78), degenerated into traditional clientelism and factionalism under the center-left UDP coalition (1982-85). And the coca growers' movement of the eastern lowlands had barely begun to form. The Tupac Katari Guerrilla Army (EGTK), made up almost exclusively of highland Aymara, made its appearance after 1986, but posed no threat to the neoliberal onslaught, and was destroyed by the first Sánchez de Lozada regime in 1993. Under the advice of Harvard economist Jeffrey Sachs, whose "shock treatments" would soon be applied to Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, after 1985 the nationalized tin mines-the basis of the Bolivian economy after 1952-were privatized. In conjunction with his British and American business associates Sánchez de Lozada became Bolivia's leading mining entrepreneur, with an estimated personal fortune of $200 million. 20,000 miners were "relocated" from the highlands, many of them to the Chapare, and as they descended into the eastern lowlands to grow coca, they took with them the traditions of radical trade unionism they had forged in the mines and in mining communities in the previous half century. In 1988-90, the coca growers' movement, 200,000-strong, established itself as the vanguard of resistance to imperialism in Bolivia, as the U.S. ratcheted up the intensity of the drug war in Andes. In 1989, Bolivia produced enough coca paste to make 286 tons of cocaine, and in 1988, law 1008 made traffickers guilty until proven innocent. Current U.S. ambassador to Bolivia David Greenlee, then an employee of the CIA, overhauled the strategy of coca eradication by integrating military and police efforts. The coca growers, organized in trade union federations, staged massive marches "for life and dignity," in which they exalted the coca leaf, as distinct from cocaine, as part of their millennial cultural tradition. They refused any connection with drug trafficking and with rudimentary self-defense militias, they fought the growing militarization of their region under U.S. auspices. Their collective political strength grew in the early 1990s, and when Sánchez de Lozada took over in 1993, they had become a movement to reckon with. Hence their militants were subject to more frequent torture, detention, and murder than those of any other social movement in recent Bolivian history. Yet Sánchez de Lozada issued a series of reforms-privatization of pensions, the airline, the telephone company and the oil company; flexibilization of labor; municipal and land reform-that devastated that devastated rural cultivators and urban workers alike. The coca growers, in the absence of organized opposition in the valleys and highlands, remained isolated in the eastern lowlands. Bolivia became a neoliberal model, a laboratory-an IMF "success story." But like those of that other model country, Argentina, Bolivia's triumphs turned out to be costly mirages, and social conflict exploded under former dictator Hugo Bánzer (1998-2001), whose ties to the drug trade were extensive and whose governing program consisted almost exclusively of "zero coca." Bánzer's successor, Manuel "Tuto" Quiroga (2001-2), claimed to have reduced potential cocaine production to 13 tons annually. Both Bánzer and Quiroga killed more people as democratically elected presidents than Bánzer had as dictator. In April 2000 in the city of Cochabamba (pop. 500,000), a coalition of factory workers, high school and university students, professionals, salaried employees, peasants from the surrounding valley, peasant "irrigators" from the highlands, schoolteachers, neighborhood committees, university professors, non-salaried workers, the unemployed, and street kids blocked the privatization of water through massive civil disobedience. For the first time since the early 1980s, a popular movement from below had scored a substantive victory in Bolivia, defeating a North American multinational and its Bolivian servants in government. Protest spread in April and May 2000 to the highland Aymara, who shut down the region around La Paz through road blockades, as Felipe Quispe, a former guerrilla leader of the EGTK, breathed new life into the Aymara peasant trade union federation. Though the coca growers-who know the value of solidarity-supported the insurrection in Cochabamba and the blockades around La Paz, they suffered serious setbacks under Bánzer's forced eradication, and were rapidly losing ground to empire. Coca cultivation in Colombia, meanwhile, tripled to 162,000 hectares in 2000, whereas it had never covered more than 46,000 hectares in Bolivia. (We should regard these statistics with caution.) And an estimated $500 million dollars were lost annually because of forced eradication. The cycle initiated in April 2000 intensified over the next two years and culminated with the resurgence of the coca growers and the near-victory of Evo Morales in June 2002; this after former U.S. ambassador Manuel Rocha warned Bolivians not to vote for Morales. Though the material basis of the coca growers' movement (coca) has been eliminated to a remarkable extent, MAS-which managed, in its discourse of radical nationalism, to capture the disaffected urban middle class and proletarian vote-regained lost territory. So did Felipe Quispe and the highland Aymara, as the Indian Revolution* Party (MIP) obtained five seats in Congress following a year of government incompliance with the Island of the Sun Accords. Despite the superior quality of its leadership and the radically democratic nature of its organizational structure, however, the Coordination for Life and Water in Cochabamba had all but disintegrated. And while many of Felipe Quispe's supporters voted for Evo Morales, in practical terms the lowland coca growers and the highland Aymara were separated by an abyss that was widened by constant caudillo feuding between Quispe and Morales. No unity appeared on the horizon. As one might have expected, given the neo-colonial arrangements that have governed Bolivia since it separated from Spain, MAS and MIP have achieved nothing in parliament, other than the diversion of scarce resources away from the organization of the movements. Six months after the beginning of the Sánchez de Lozada regime, the balance is disastrous: several coca growers killed in confrontations with the army; four landless peasants killed by landlord militias; six more killed in the Chaco; five conversations about forced eradication of coca with no results; ongoing incompliance with the Island of the Sun Accords. Exclusive blame for this depressing panorama cannot be laid at the feet of Sánchez de Lozada, however, since he had been willing to discuss the possibility of a temporary halt to forced eradication and commit to a study of the market for legal consumption of the coca leaf-until Bush's man for Latin America, Cuban-American Otto Reich, arrived in early October. Ever since, the dialogues between Evo Morales and Sánchez de Lozada have been farcical, as there is nothing left for them to talk about. Under great pressure from the coca growers' assemblies, in late December Morales announced road blockades for January-unless the government was willing to reverse its policies on eradication and include the coca growers' unions in the planning and execution of the study of the market for coca leaf consumption. Morales had not consulted Felipe Quispe, however, and broke a verbal agreement the two had made to blockade in April, after the harvest season had passed in the highlands. Oscar Oliveira, leader of the Coordination for Life and Water, was not consulted either, even though Cochabamba is the gateway to the Chapare. Undaunted, Morales wasted no time in assembling a list of organizations that would join the January mobilization: debtors, domestics and household servants, teachers, workers without retirement funds, peasant colonizers from the Yungas, mining cooperatives, departmental workers' federations; a range of groups whose demands were being ignored by the Sánchez de Lozada administration. Morales began to focus his discourse on issues that transcended sectoral concerns, such as privatization, the export of Bolivian natural gas to the U.S. via Chile and the FTAA, and he claimed to speak, with more credibility than usual, in the national interest. It seemed as if Morales and MAS would, first, fulfill their promise of consolidating a broad-based Left opposition that brought the spatially and sectorally separate social movements together and, second, get back to extra-parliamentary roots. Morales and the opposition sent Sánchez de Lozada a letter on Christmas Eve outlining fifteen demands for discussion and announcing a blockade for January 6, 2003. They did not receive a reply. Instead, the government and media invested their resources in producing and circulating anti-blockade propaganda throughout the New Year season, proclaiming that the blockades were anti-patriotic, punished the poorest, and threatened "democracy." Once the blockades began on Monday, January 13, it quickly became evident that of all the groups assembled on Morales' list, only the coca growers had the collective power to blockade; and that the government, backed by the nation's principal newspapers and television stations as well as the U.S. Embassy, would use excessive force to stop them. By Monday morning, with the road from Sacaba (Cochabamba) to Yapacaní (Santa Cruz) shut down, 7,000 troops had descended on the Chapare lowlands, while in the highlands, 3,000 were dispatched to Oruro and La Paz, 1,000 to Sucre and Potosí. 22,000 police were mobilized nationwide and "dalmation" riot police from La Paz were sent to Cochabamba, where they did battle with university students in solidarity with the coca growers. By the end of the day, 160 people, some of them parents registering their children for school, had been detained and sent to air force bases, and a young coca grower received a bullet to the jaw that, miraculously, did not kill him. Rómulo Gonzales, a 22 year-old coca grower from the Chapare, was not so lucky: on the second day of the blockade he was shot to death from a distance of 500m near Colomi, one of the last towns before the road to Santa Cruz drops thousands of meters into the Chapare. Sánchez de Lozada, pretending that everything was under control, left for the swearing-in ceremony of Lucio Gutierrez in Ecuador, as the media broadcast misleading images of cleared roads that prompted people to travel where they had no business doing so. Felipe Quispe and the highland Aymara peasantry negotiated the provision of 500 tractors stipulated in the Island of the Sun Accords, while senior citizens broke off conversations with the government over law 2434 and the indexation of their retirement benefits to the dollar, declaring that they would march on La Paz in protest. Under control of media mogul and Vice-President Carlos Mesa, on Wednesday, January 15, Bolivia lived through one of its darkest days in recent memory: 40 km from Cochabamba, Felix Ibarra was murdered by government snipers; Willy Hinojosa, 23, died from bullet wounds in the Villa Tunari hospital in the Chapare; Victor Hinojosa died from bullet wounds in Llavín; and coca growers militias' ambushed and injured eight soldiers in Cristal Mayu. Most tragically, six senior citizens, forced by the "dalmation" police to get on buses the government had rented in order to disperse the march on La Paz in the wee hours of the morning, died in an accident on the road to Oruro, along with seven other passengers. The bus the government rented did not have mandatory insurance and it is not clear who will pay the survivors. Blockades extended partially from the Chapare to Santa Cruz, Potosí and Oruro, while in El Alto, an Aymara city of 500,000 on the upper rim of La Paz, students, market vendors, and parents of conscripted soldiers marched with local senior citizens. U.S. Ambassador David Greenlee arrived in La Paz just as the situation appeared to have slipped out of government control, but he declined to comment until Sánchez de Lozada returned for the ceremony of protocol. On Thursay and Friday, President Sánchez de Lozada regained the initiative, inviting Evo Morales to dialogue in Cochabamaba, and the senior citizens' leader met with the vice president in La Paz. However, when Morales arrived in Cochabamba, he was told that the president would not meet with him until the blockade was lifted and was given three hours to take action. In return, the government promised to lift what it called "control measures", i.e. repression. The Defender of the People, Ana María Romero, a government official, noted that such short-term time limits could frustrate the chances for dialogue, since it takes the popular movements much longer to arrive at decisions through assembly and consensus. The government betrayed its utter ignorance of the participatory mechanisms through which popular democracy works in Bolivia. Or perhaps the 3-hour time limit was designed to make dialogue impossible. In any event, through the magic of the media, Morales came off as intransigent and the government as reasonable. Shrewdly, the government and media played the senior citizens off against the coca-growers. Whereas the former operated exclusively within the parameters of the constitution, we were told, the latter were violent, human rights violators seeking to destabilize the country at the expense of the impoverished peasantry and urban proletariat. On Friday, the senior citizens' march arrived in La Paz with great media fanfare and received an astonishing display of material solidarity and moral support from all sectors of the urban population. Vice President Carlos Mesa sought to redeem himself with the help of the cameras and the music. By Friday's end, though, there were 700 people detained on various air force bases throughout the country, government forces had killed five people and were responsible for the deaths of six more. Ana María Romero, Defender of the People, reported that the prisoners were abused with racial epithets, and that detained women were being raped and threatened with rape. Blockades continued in the Chapare, Santa Cruz, and the semi-tropical Yungas north of La Paz, but the highlands were firmly under government control. Even though pressure from within the Aymara trade union federation was mounting to join the mobilization, Felipe Quispe announced blockades for February. On Saturday, 1500 miners marched from Huanuni, surrounded by tanks and under surveillance from the air, toward Oruro, but in Machamarquita 500 of them clashed with government forces, and miner Adrían Martínez was shot and killed. In what looks to be the most significant development since the rise of MAS, Evo Morales convened the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the People in Cochabamba on Sunday, January 19. Only Felipe Quispe and Saturnino Mallku, the bankrupt leader of the moribund Bolivian Workers' Central (COB), were left out. What makes the group so important is that it could succeed in cementing the unity that the miners lent to the COB in the golden years of struggle before the 1980s. In those days, the COB formed a solid wall of opposition to dictatorial military governments and occasionally exercised dual power. If the new COB that Morales is calling for comes together, the popular movements might be exercising dual power again in the not-too-distant future. The government will almost surely declare a State of Siege, which makes opposition politics illegal, the moment signs of such a development appear. Cochabamba is already under a de facto state of siege, and the industrialists and agro-exporters have called for the government to implement one nationwide. Foreign NGOS have come in for criticism for their alleged support for the mobilization, and their members could be detained and/or deported as things go from bad to worse. A key variable will be the morale of the army. Already parents of conscripts have complained that their sons, who should have returned home at the end of 2002, "are being used to kill their coca-growing brothers." Food for the conscripts is scarce and poor quality, and some of the parents do not know the whereabouts of their sons. After a two-day pause in which the Chapare was cleared for traffic, the government still refused to discuss popular demands under the pressure of direct action, and it looked like the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the People was going to be another case of unrealized possibility. But on Wednesday, January 23, Felipe Quispe became part of the leadership. Thus through their trade union confederation, the highland Aymara peasants have joined the departmental trade union federations (CODs); a federation of Aymara and Quechua communities (CONAMAQ); factory workers, the Coordination for Life and Water, peasant irrigators, and university students in Cochabamba; peasant colonizers in the Yungas; peasant federations from Sucre, Potosí, Cochabamba, Oruro, and part of La Paz; the Bartolina Sisa women's peasant federation; as well as the unemployed and miners' cooperatives. In all likelihood, the flow of people and goods will be paralyzed in Bolivia in the coming days, and it is doubtful that the government will make concessions without first raising the level of repression dramatically through State of Siege legislation. If the opposition can maintain its fragile unity, there is reason to hope that it will obtain the renunciation of Sánchez de Lozada and Carlos Mesa-which would be a popular victory of historic proportions. Rather than a carbon copy replacement president, a Constituent Assembly, first put on the table during the water wars of April 2000, might begin to outline a new social order in Bolivia. Though it is impossible to say how such complex processes will work themselves out, further radicalization of the anti-neoliberal opposition seems inevitable for the time being. Let us hope that Lula realizes that the Bolivian conflict can be another staging ground for Brazilian diplomacy as, under the umbrella of the World Social Forum, left turns continue to reverberate throughout South America. *The P in MIP is for Pachakutic, from pacha, or space-time, and kutic means turning around-revolution, in the sense of a world turned right side up. Forrest Hylton is conducting doctoral research in history in Bolivia Left Turns In South America Posted: Monday, January 27, 2003 by Forrest Hylton "Instead of imitating Álvaro Uribe, Sánchez de Lozada should learn from Lula." - Evo Morales Excepting Colombia, as "traditional" political parties and national economies disintegrate, South America has moved swiftly left in the new millennium: just over a year ago, Argentina witnessed a mass uprising of unprecedented proportions, while neo-populist regimes are now in power in Brazil, Venezuela, and Ecuador. In Bolivia, a country in which Left parties have never obtained more than 3.5% of the vote, Evo Morales, leader of the coca growers' trade union federation and the country's chief opposition party, MAS (Movement Toward Socialism), won 20% of the vote. He lost the presidential elections in June 2002 by a narrow margin, and only because he refused to enter into alliances with any of the neoliberal parties. When Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada, who ruled Bolivia from 1993-97, was sworn in as president for a second time this past August, it was clear that neoliberalism was hobbling on its last legs. Sánchez de Lozada faced a different political scenario than the one he helped create as Senator in 1985 with Decree 21060 and the New Economic Policy, which brought full-blown neoliberalism to Bolivia. The communist tin miners' movement-the core of Latin America's most combative proletariat in the second half of the twentieth century-was broken by President Victor Paz Estenssoro, the very man who had risen to power on the strength of the miner-led national revolution in 1952. The highland Aymara movement, which had resurfaced with force in La Paz and the surrounding countryside during and after the dictatorship of General Hugo Bánzer Suárez (1971-78), degenerated into traditional clientelism and factionalism under the center-left UDP coalition (1982-85). And the coca growers' movement of the eastern lowlands had barely begun to form. The Tupac Katari Guerrilla Army (EGTK), made up almost exclusively of highland Aymara, made its appearance after 1986, but posed no threat to the neoliberal onslaught, and was destroyed by the first Sánchez de Lozada regime in 1993. Under the advice of Harvard economist Jeffrey Sachs, whose "shock treatments" would soon be applied to Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, after 1985 the nationalized tin mines-the basis of the Bolivian economy after 1952-were privatized. In conjunction with his British and American business associates Sánchez de Lozada became Bolivia's leading mining entrepreneur, with an estimated personal fortune of $200 million. 20,000 miners were "relocated" from the highlands, many of them to the Chapare, and as they descended into the eastern lowlands to grow coca, they took with them the traditions of radical trade unionism they had forged in the mines and in mining communities in the previous half century. In 1988-90, the coca growers' movement, 200,000-strong, established itself as the vanguard of resistance to imperialism in Bolivia, as the U.S. ratcheted up the intensity of the drug war in Andes. In 1989, Bolivia produced enough coca paste to make 286 tons of cocaine, and in 1988, law 1008 made traffickers guilty until proven innocent. Current U.S. ambassador to Bolivia David Greenlee, then an employee of the CIA, overhauled the strategy of coca eradication by integrating military and police efforts. The coca growers, organized in trade union federations, staged massive marches "for life and dignity," in which they exalted the coca leaf, as distinct from cocaine, as part of their millennial cultural tradition. They refused any connection with drug trafficking and with rudimentary self-defense militias, they fought the growing militarization of their region under U.S. auspices. Their collective political strength grew in the early 1990s, and when Sánchez de Lozada took over in 1993, they had become a movement to reckon with. Hence their militants were subject to more frequent torture, detention, and murder than those of any other social movement in recent Bolivian history. Yet Sánchez de Lozada issued a series of reforms-privatization of pensions, the airline, the telephone company and the oil company; flexibilization of labor; municipal and land reform-that devastated that devastated rural cultivators and urban workers alike. The coca growers, in the absence of organized opposition in the valleys and highlands, remained isolated in the eastern lowlands. Bolivia became a neoliberal model, a laboratory-an IMF "success story." But like those of that other model country, Argentina, Bolivia's triumphs turned out to be costly mirages, and social conflict exploded under former dictator Hugo Bánzer (1998-2001), whose ties to the drug trade were extensive and whose governing program consisted almost exclusively of "zero coca." Bánzer's successor, Manuel "Tuto" Quiroga (2001-2), claimed to have reduced potential cocaine production to 13 tons annually. Both Bánzer and Quiroga killed more people as democratically elected presidents than Bánzer had as dictator. In April 2000 in the city of Cochabamba (pop. 500,000), a coalition of factory workers, high school and university students, professionals, salaried employees, peasants from the surrounding valley, peasant "irrigators" from the highlands, schoolteachers, neighborhood committees, university professors, non-salaried workers, the unemployed, and street kids blocked the privatization of water through massive civil disobedience. For the first time since the early 1980s, a popular movement from below had scored a substantive victory in Bolivia, defeating a North American multinational and its Bolivian servants in government. Protest spread in April and May 2000 to the highland Aymara, who shut down the region around La Paz through road blockades, as Felipe Quispe, a former guerrilla leader of the EGTK, breathed new life into the Aymara peasant trade union federation. Though the coca growers-who know the value of solidarity-supported the insurrection in Cochabamba and the blockades around La Paz, they suffered serious setbacks under Bánzer's forced eradication, and were rapidly losing ground to empire. Coca cultivation in Colombia, meanwhile, tripled to 162,000 hectares in 2000, whereas it had never covered more than 46,000 hectares in Bolivia. (We should regard these statistics with caution.) And an estimated $500 million dollars were lost annually because of forced eradication. The cycle initiated in April 2000 intensified over the next two years and culminated with the resurgence of the coca growers and the near-victory of Evo Morales in June 2002; this after former U.S. ambassador Manuel Rocha warned Bolivians not to vote for Morales. Though the material basis of the coca growers' movement (coca) has been eliminated to a remarkable extent, MAS-which managed, in its discourse of radical nationalism, to capture the disaffected urban middle class and proletarian vote-regained lost territory. So did Felipe Quispe and the highland Aymara, as the Indian Revolution* Party (MIP) obtained five seats in Congress following a year of government incompliance with the Island of the Sun Accords. Despite the superior quality of its leadership and the radically democratic nature of its organizational structure, however, the Coordination for Life and Water in Cochabamba had all but disintegrated. And while many of Felipe Quispe's supporters voted for Evo Morales, in practical terms the lowland coca growers and the highland Aymara were separated by an abyss that was widened by constant caudillo feuding between Quispe and Morales. No unity appeared on the horizon. As one might have expected, given the neo-colonial arrangements that have governed Bolivia since it separated from Spain, MAS and MIP have achieved nothing in parliament, other than the diversion of scarce resources away from the organization of the movements. Six months after the beginning of the Sánchez de Lozada regime, the balance is disastrous: several coca growers killed in confrontations with the army; four landless peasants killed by landlord militias; six more killed in the Chaco; five conversations about forced eradication of coca with no results; ongoing incompliance with the Island of the Sun Accords. Exclusive blame for this depressing panorama cannot be laid at the feet of Sánchez de Lozada, however, since he had been willing to discuss the possibility of a temporary halt to forced eradication and commit to a study of the market for legal consumption of the coca leaf-until Bush's man for Latin America, Cuban-American Otto Reich, arrived in early October. Ever since, the dialogues between Evo Morales and Sánchez de Lozada have been farcical, as there is nothing left for them to talk about. Under great pressure from the coca growers' assemblies, in late December Morales announced road blockades for January-unless the government was willing to reverse its policies on eradication and include the coca growers' unions in the planning and execution of the study of the market for coca leaf consumption. Morales had not consulted Felipe Quispe, however, and broke a verbal agreement the two had made to blockade in April, after the harvest season had passed in the highlands. Oscar Oliveira, leader of the Coordination for Life and Water, was not consulted either, even though Cochabamba is the gateway to the Chapare. Undaunted, Morales wasted no time in assembling a list of organizations that would join the January mobilization: debtors, domestics and household servants, teachers, workers without retirement funds, peasant colonizers from the Yungas, mining cooperatives, departmental workers' federations; a range of groups whose demands were being ignored by the Sánchez de Lozada administration. Morales began to focus his discourse on issues that transcended sectoral concerns, such as privatization, the export of Bolivian natural gas to the U.S. via Chile and the FTAA, and he claimed to speak, with more credibility than usual, in the national interest. It seemed as if Morales and MAS would, first, fulfill their promise of consolidating a broad-based Left opposition that brought the spatially and sectorally separate social movements together and, second, get back to extra-parliamentary roots. Morales and the opposition sent Sánchez de Lozada a letter on Christmas Eve outlining fifteen demands for discussion and announcing a blockade for January 6, 2003. They did not receive a reply. Instead, the government and media invested their resources in producing and circulating anti-blockade propaganda throughout the New Year season, proclaiming that the blockades were anti-patriotic, punished the poorest, and threatened "democracy." Once the blockades began on Monday, January 13, it quickly became evident that of all the groups assembled on Morales' list, only the coca growers had the collective power to blockade; and that the government, backed by the nation's principal newspapers and television stations as well as the U.S. Embassy, would use excessive force to stop them. By Monday morning, with the road from Sacaba (Cochabamba) to Yapacaní (Santa Cruz) shut down, 7,000 troops had descended on the Chapare lowlands, while in the highlands, 3,000 were dispatched to Oruro and La Paz, 1,000 to Sucre and Potosí. 22,000 police were mobilized nationwide and "dalmation" riot police from La Paz were sent to Cochabamba, where they did battle with university students in solidarity with the coca growers. By the end of the day, 160 people, some of them parents registering their children for school, had been detained and sent to air force bases, and a young coca grower received a bullet to the jaw that, miraculously, did not kill him. Rómulo Gonzales, a 22 year-old coca grower from the Chapare, was not so lucky: on the second day of the blockade he was shot to death from a distance of 500m near Colomi, one of the last towns before the road to Santa Cruz drops thousands of meters into the Chapare. Sánchez de Lozada, pretending that everything was under control, left for the swearing-in ceremony of Lucio Gutierrez in Ecuador, as the media broadcast misleading images of cleared roads that prompted people to travel where they had no business doing so. Felipe Quispe and the highland Aymara peasantry negotiated the provision of 500 tractors stipulated in the Island of the Sun Accords, while senior citizens broke off conversations with the government over law 2434 and the indexation of their retirement benefits to the dollar, declaring that they would march on La Paz in protest. Under control of media mogul and Vice-President Carlos Mesa, on Wednesday, January 15, Bolivia lived through one of its darkest days in recent memory: 40 km from Cochabamba, Felix Ibarra was murdered by government snipers; Willy Hinojosa, 23, died from bullet wounds in the Villa Tunari hospital in the Chapare; Victor Hinojosa died from bullet wounds in Llavín; and coca growers militias' ambushed and injured eight soldiers in Cristal Mayu. Most tragically, six senior citizens, forced by the "dalmation" police to get on buses the government had rented in order to disperse the march on La Paz in the wee hours of the morning, died in an accident on the road to Oruro, along with seven other passengers. The bus the government rented did not have mandatory insurance and it is not clear who will pay the survivors. Blockades extended partially from the Chapare to Santa Cruz, Potosí and Oruro, while in El Alto, an Aymara city of 500,000 on the upper rim of La Paz, students, market vendors, and parents of conscripted soldiers marched with local senior citizens. U.S. Ambassador David Greenlee arrived in La Paz just as the situation appeared to have slipped out of government control, but he declined to comment until Sánchez de Lozada returned for the ceremony of protocol. On Thursay and Friday, President Sánchez de Lozada regained the initiative, inviting Evo Morales to dialogue in Cochabamaba, and the senior citizens' leader met with the vice president in La Paz. However, when Morales arrived in Cochabamba, he was told that the president would not meet with him until the blockade was lifted and was given three hours to take action. In return, the government promised to lift what it called "control measures", i.e. repression. The Defender of the People, Ana María Romero, a government official, noted that such short-term time limits could frustrate the chances for dialogue, since it takes the popular movements much longer to arrive at decisions through assembly and consensus. The government betrayed its utter ignorance of the participatory mechanisms through which popular democracy works in Bolivia. Or perhaps the 3-hour time limit was designed to make dialogue impossible. In any event, through the magic of the media, Morales came off as intransigent and the government as reasonable. Shrewdly, the government and media played the senior citizens off against the coca-growers. Whereas the former operated exclusively within the parameters of the constitution, we were told, the latter were violent, human rights violators seeking to destabilize the country at the expense of the impoverished peasantry and urban proletariat. On Friday, the senior citizens' march arrived in La Paz with great media fanfare and received an astonishing display of material solidarity and moral support from all sectors of the urban population. Vice President Carlos Mesa sought to redeem himself with the help of the cameras and the music. By Friday's end, though, there were 700 people detained on various air force bases throughout the country, government forces had killed five people and were responsible for the deaths of six more. Ana María Romero, Defender of the People, reported that the prisoners were abused with racial epithets, and that detained women were being raped and threatened with rape. Blockades continued in the Chapare, Santa Cruz, and the semi-tropical Yungas north of La Paz, but the highlands were firmly under government control. Even though pressure from within the Aymara trade union federation was mounting to join the mobilization, Felipe Quispe announced blockades for February. On Saturday, 1500 miners marched from Huanuni, surrounded by tanks and under surveillance from the air, toward Oruro, but in Machamarquita 500 of them clashed with government forces, and miner Adrían Martínez was shot and killed. In what looks to be the most significant development since the rise of MAS, Evo Morales convened the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the People in Cochabamba on Sunday, January 19. Only Felipe Quispe and Saturnino Mallku, the bankrupt leader of the moribund Bolivian Workers' Central (COB), were left out. What makes the group so important is that it could succeed in cementing the unity that the miners lent to the COB in the golden years of struggle before the 1980s. In those days, the COB formed a solid wall of opposition to dictatorial military governments and occasionally exercised dual power. If the new COB that Morales is calling for comes together, the popular movements might be exercising dual power again in the not-too-distant future. The government will almost surely declare a State of Siege, which makes opposition politics illegal, the moment signs of such a development appear. Cochabamba is already under a de facto state of siege, and the industrialists and agro-exporters have called for the government to implement one nationwide. Foreign NGOS have come in for criticism for their alleged support for the mobilization, and their members could be detained and/or deported as things go from bad to worse. A key variable will be the morale of the army. Already parents of conscripts have complained that their sons, who should have returned home at the end of 2002, "are being used to kill their coca-growing brothers." Food for the conscripts is scarce and poor quality, and some of the parents do not know the whereabouts of their sons. After a two-day pause in which the Chapare was cleared for traffic, the government still refused to discuss popular demands under the pressure of direct action, and it looked like the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the People was going to be another case of unrealized possibility. But on Wednesday, January 23, Felipe Quispe became part of the leadership. Thus through their trade union confederation, the highland Aymara peasants have joined the departmental trade union federations (CODs); a federation of Aymara and Quechua communities (CONAMAQ); factory workers, the Coordination for Life and Water, peasant irrigators, and university students in Cochabamba; peasant colonizers in the Yungas; peasant federations from Sucre, Potosí, Cochabamba, Oruro, and part of La Paz; the Bartolina Sisa women's peasant federation; as well as the unemployed and miners' cooperatives. In all likelihood, the flow of people and goods will be paralyzed in Bolivia in the coming days, and it is doubtful that the government will make concessions without first raising the level of repression dramatically through State of Siege legislation. If the opposition can maintain its fragile unity, there is reason to hope that it will obtain the renunciation of Sánchez de Lozada and Carlos Mesa-which would be a popular victory of historic proportions. Rather than a carbon copy replacement president, a Constituent Assembly, first put on the table during the water wars of April 2000, might begin to outline a new social order in Bolivia. Though it is impossible to say how such complex processes will work themselves out, further radicalization of the anti-neoliberal opposition seems inevitable for the time being. Let us hope that Lula realizes that the Bolivian conflict can be another staging ground for Brazilian diplomacy as, under the umbrella of the World Social Forum, left turns continue to reverberate throughout South America. *The P in MIP is for Pachakutic, from pacha, or space-time, and kutic means turning around-revolution, in the sense of a world turned right side up. Forrest Hylton is conducting doctoral research in history in Bolivia Tainted Journalism or Paranoia Posted: Monday, January 27, 2003 www.coha.org Venezuela: Tainted Journalism or Paranoia on the Part of The Middle-class Opposition Dear Colleague, As part of the ongoing debate over (concerning) the current political instability in Venezuela, we are reprinting an article, authored by Thor Halvorssen, published in the commentary section of the The Washington Times on Jan. 22, 2003, attacking the position of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs, and the response to it by COHA director, Larry Birns, which appeared in the Washington Times on Jan. 26, 2003. Venezuela through a tilted lens? Washington Times, January 22, 2003 Thor Halvorssen With every passing day, life for Venezuelans becomes more dangerous. Since his election four years ago, President Hugo Chavez has presided over the most dramatic decline in the nation's fortunes: Analysts predict that in the first quarter of 2003 the economy will contract by 40 percent; more than 1 million jobs have been lost; approximately 900,000 people have gone into voluntary exile (most of them middle-class professionals); unemployment is at a staggering 17 percent; Almost 70 percent of the country's industries have gone bankrupt; 70 percent of Venezuelans live in a state of poverty (up from 60 percent when Mr. Chavez began his rule); and the income of more than 15 percent of Venezuelans has dropped below the poverty line. Mr. Chavez's policies have left the nation in shambles. Stratospheric levels of corruption, collectivist central planning, mismanagement, and incompetence during the greatest oil boom have squandered a historic opportunity to cultivate a stable middle class. But stability is hardly the goal of Lt. Col. Chavez, who uses the nation's wealth to fund and supply weapons to the FARC and ELN drug-trafficking guerrilla terrorists in Colombia and the ETA Basque terrorist organization in Spain. Mr. Chavez has cozy relationships with the dictators of Cuba, Libya, Iran, and Iraq (Mr. Chavez praised Saddam Hussein as his "brother" and "partner"), and earlier this month Mr. Chavez was accused by his personal pilot of funneling $900,000 to Osama bin Laden. Mr. Chavez has publicly described the U.S. military response to bin Laden as "terrorism" claiming he saw no difference between the invasion of Afghanistan and the September 11 terrorist attacks on the U.S. Readers of the New York Times, The Washington Post and of the Associated Press, and viewers of CNN, are fed a dramatically different story. There is an enormous divide between what the world is hearing about Venezuela and what is really happening there. Reporters have so controlled the flow of information and disfigured the truth that their coverage of Venezuela is a caricature of what conservative critics call the "liberal media bias." What we are seeing in media coverage of Venezuela is not liberal bias, but totalitarian bias. A recent example is Christopher Toothaker of the Associated Press. Mr. Toothaker has spent considerable time in Venezuela, he speaks Spanish, and he has access to government and opposition sources. In a Jan. 4 report, he minimized the importance of the upcoming constitutional referendum, stating that the opposition presented "over 150,000 signatures" to election authorities calling for a vote on whether Mr. Chavez should resign. This is a dramatic and deliberate understatement. The Venezuelan Constitution, approved by Mr. Chavez himself, provides for a referendum if 10 percent of the electorate petitions in writing. The opposition presented 2,057,000 signatures - some 15 percent of the voting rolls - a startling error that any fact-checker should catch. The smaller figure appears in dozens of other Associated Press reports, CBS, CNN and even in a story bylined by Ginger Thompson of the New York Times that was carried in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Miss Thompson is no fan of objectivity. On Jan. 3, the opposition organized a march to protest Chavez. Hundreds of thousands of nonviolent demonstrators carried flags, posters and signs calling for a peaceful resolution. The protesters were ambushed by members of Mr. Chavez's armed militia who dispersed the march with a hail of bullets and rocks. The Chavez police blithely watched the armed thugs shoot at the defenseless crowd. I was there. To our incredulity, the Chavez police then supplied the criminals with tear gas grenades. In her Times story, Miss Thompson characterized the violence as a "clash" and a "street fight" - moral equivalency at its worst. American readers would never know it was an ambush. The sympathies of Miss Thompson's colleague, Juan Forero, are revealed by Larry Birns, director of the Council for Hemispheric Affairs. In late December, Mr. Birns, a refreshingly sincere D.C. activist who acts as a Chavez cheerleader and apologist, told a Venezuelan government official the names of the four reporters he believed were most amicable to the Chavez government. This Times scribe made the top of his list: "He is committed to the revolution," Mr. Birns said of Mr. Forero. Reuters and the Associated Press were also praised for their "strong support" of Mr. Chavez. The Washington Post's reporting is just as cant-laden as the New York Times', and its editorial page is utterly one-sided. Last Sunday, Mark Weisbrot of the Center for Economic and Policy Research penned a column calling the Chavez government, responsible for dozens of political deaths, "one of the least repressive in Latin America." He should travel more. Mr. Weisbrot states that "no one has been arrested for political activities." This is nonsense. Some of these arrests are so public Mr. Weisbrot cannot credibly claim ignorance. For example, Carlos Alfonso Martinez, an outspoken political opponent of Mr. Chavez and one of the most respected officers in the armed forces, was arbitrarily arrested on Dec. 30 by the secret police. The act caused public furor both because it was a further indication of government repression and also because Mr. Martinez was arrested without a warrant and remains under arrest even though a judge ordered his immediate release. How did this fact slip by the editors at The Post? Mr. Weisbrot ends his column in The Post by saying that Chavez is Venezuela's best hope for democracy and social and economic "betterment." And yet Mr. Weisbrot does not support the referendum that would let the voters declare whether Mr. Chavez rules with the consent of the governed. Mr. Chavez told voters in a television broadcast: "Don't waste time. Not even if we suppose that they hold that referendum and get 90 percent of the votes, I will not leave. Forget it. I will not go." Putting aside Mr. Chavez's track record on economics, does this really sound like the best hope for democracy? Meanwhile, members of the U.S. government, business, and diplomatic communities make their decisions based on the "knowledge" they acquire from the media. Venezuelans are suffering unnecessarily because of the arrogance and favoritism of a handful of journalists. It is wicked. Yet what is worse is that, no matter what happens, the media will never be held accountable. Thor Halvorssen is a human-rights activist who was a political adviser and consultant in two Venezuelan presidential elections. He lives in Philadelphia. Letter To The Editor, Washington Times, Published Sunday January 26, 2003 Tony Blankley Editorial Page Editor The Washington Times January 26, 2003 To the Editor: I admit I hadn't heard of your contributor, Thor Halvorssen ("Venezuela Through a Tilted Lens," 1/22/03), but I now know that he's a shameless inventor. Moreover, the Times may have been gulled by an author with a complex past, which can be checked on the internet. Also, why didn't he reveal that he wasn't just your average Philadelphian, as listed, but served as Venezuela's drug czar in the early 1990s, under one of the most corrupt governments in its history, when he was involved in questionable incidents of public interest? Halvorssen savages your professional colleagues for their alleged bias reporting from Venezuela. Among these, were two highly respected New York Times reporters, Juan Forero and Ginger Thompson, to whom I have spoken by telephone. Halvorssen's mean-spirited attack and his patently off-the-wall conspiracy theories regarding their alleged favoritism towards leftist Venezuelan president, Hugo Chávez, are an extremist's fulminations against the international media. These, almost without exception, see today's uproar there not as a Castro complot, but due to misadventures on both sides. Halvorssen's targets – the New York Times, the Washington Post, Reuters, and AP – are also vilified by the left for their anti-Chávez bias, using almost the same verbiage as his. The sin of these very solid professionals apparently is that they have tried to fairly treat an extremely involved story, thus inviting Halvorssen-like sclerotic attacks. While I'm grateful for his characterizing me as "refreshingly sincere," I'm afraid I can't return the compliment, for I think he's up to knavery. He says that I told a Venezuelan government official that Timesman Forero was "committed to the revolution." Nonsense! I said no such thing. Last Christmas Eve, I received a phone call at my in-laws house in New Jersey, from a man who spoke rapid Spanish and poor English. Since I couldn't quite understand him, I soon turned the phone over to a Spanish-speaking relative. This alleged high Chávez official frantically blurted out that an anti-Chávez coup was to occur on Dec. 29th, and that I must come down to Caracas immediately and bring four U.S. journalists of my choice with me as observers. I expressed skepticism whether this was possible, but at the very least I would need to consider it, and besides I felt that the New York Times, Reuters, AP, among others, were doing a first-class, balanced job, so why were more reporters required? I quickly sensed that the Caracas call might be a scam, particularly when the official didn't again call, as scheduled. Given his somewhat gamey biography, I now assume that Halvorssen was somehow involved in this script, or even made the call, because the only other conversant person would be the professed Chávez official, who presumably would not be the former's soulmate. Rather than a Chávez "apologist," as Halvorssen claims, COHA has been a critic since 1998, when it attacked him for his too-close military ties. Since then it has found him "arrogant," "confrontational," "authoritarian," "acerbic," and "inflexible." As for both Halvorssen and the opposition, on the rare occasions when they tell the truth, they wail that the economy is dying and that the petroleum industry is heading for ruin, but fail to acknowledge their own direct complicity. What is needed is moderation and concession. Venezuelans of Halvorssen's ilk must see that they constitute a disloyal opposition threatening the destruction of the political system through foul play, and not Athenian democrats. As for Chávez, he risks suffocating his revolution by holding it too tightly, as time runs out for him and also the opposition. Larry Birns Director Council on Hemispheric Affairs Washington, D.C. Latest News Posted: Sunday, January 26, 2003 ¤ Major indexes lost ground amid war fears ¤ Wolfowitz cites reports Iraq has infiltrated UN inspections team ¤ How war would hit US wallets ¤ US Senate approves $305m aid for Pakistan ¤ Gaza in shock at bloody aftermath ¤ US accused of using torture during interrogation ¤ The FBI Says, Count the Mosques ¤ EU agrees that UN inspectors should stay in Iraq ¤ Greenpeace Blockades Military Port ¤ U.S. Offers Turkey $4 Billion and a Demand for Reform ¤ Franco-German alliance raises US fears ¤ Arabs Take to Streets to Protest War Against Iraq ¤ Iraq accuses Powell of 'series of lies' ¤ CNN's Partial Transcript of Blix's remarks ¤ Substantial Coalition Takes Shape Behind The Scenes ¤ Israeli officer obstructs attack on Palestinians ¤ The Frustrations of Inspections ¤ Concern Grows Over U.S. Need for Allies ¤ Blair's pro-Bush line on Iraq hurts him in U.K. and Europe ¤ Blair is in a box of his own construction ¤ Howard alienating himself from public: Soorley ¤ Powell calls for inspection halt ¤ Likud 'ordered raid to secure votes' ¤ USA hypocrisy as justification for Iraq attacks ¤ Chickenhawk Bush on dodgy ground ¤ Powell tells allies: US will not shrink from war ¤ UNITED STATES: Why hundreds of thousands marched ¤ Divided EU agrees Iraq statement ¤ US has 'sovereign right' to attack Iraq ¤ Canadians may end up on anti-terror database ¤ U.S. to Publish Iraq Weapons Evidence Soon-Report ¤ Powell: Let's Beat Saddam Together ¤ Whither Colin Powell? ¤ FBI 'seeks 3,000 missing Iraqis' ¤ U.S. Economy May Suffer in Long Iraq War ¤ Where the young learn that fear is a way of life ¤ America is a class act ¤ Moment of truth - or lies - today as inspectors present report ¤ In a bind over Iraq ¤ Oil behind annihilation plan, warns ex-UN official ¤ UN given secret files on Iraq ¤ Powell claims Saddam has 'clear ties' to al-Qaeda ¤ Terror charges dropped against mosque raid detainees ¤ No surprises in Iraq report: IAEA chief ¤ Pak-UAE concern over Iraq situation ¤ Strike in held Kashmir marks Republic Day; three killed ¤ Rebels kill five in India ¤ The aftermath of Afghan war - Drugs, drought, warlords, mayhem ¤ World Views: Hypocrisy about biological weapons ¤ Lessons of History ¤ $4 billion offer to Turkey ¤ Bush preemption doctrine: Will Iraq be first test? ¤ UK seeks support as EU split over Iraq widens ¤ The wartime deceptions: Saddam is Hitler and it's not about oil ¤ Bush backs off UN to give troops more time ¤ Bush's popularity at lowest point in US ¤ IAEA to tell UN: no 'smoking gun' in Iraq ¤ Time running out over Iraq: Powell ¤ US eases fear: we'll stick with UN, Downer told Latest News Posted: Sunday, January 26, 2003 ¤ 13 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire ¤ U.S. to review Israel's request for $12 billion assistance package ¤ Destroying the Village to Save Weapons Manufacturers ¤ Powell Says U.S. Ready for Solo War on Iraq ¤ Church bombing culprit not linked to Bali blasts ¤ Tracking the stocks that profit from war ¤ Backward step in policy for war ¤ Analysis: Oil or no oil: that is the question ¤ Iraq: What does US want from war? ¤ What the flies are like that feed off the dead? ¤ British troops to spearhead the bloody battle for Bagdad ¤ Vatican Criticism Of War Plans Chills Relations With U.S. ¤ Blair demands new dossier to drum up support for Iraq war ¤ Planning underway to manage Iraqi oil ¤ Israel Ministry secretly accessed reporter's telephone records ¤ BLAIR: 'GIVE UN TIME' ¤ War on Iraq- What Team Bush Doesn't Want You to Know ¤ Powell denounces Iraq response ¤ Israel to seal off Palestinian areas ¤ Trinidad a land prone to terrorism? ¤ Israeli Forces Kill 12 in Gaza Incursion ¤ U.S. U-2 Spy Plane Crashes in S. 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Posted: Sunday, January 26, 2003 December 30, 2002 Trinidad and Tobago ships gasoline to Venezuela against the wishes of the America and Britain. [full text] U.S. and UK encourage Cruise Ships to pull out of TandT Thursday, January 16, 2003 The two companies, UK-based P&O Cruises and its sister company Princess Cruises, have stopped all visits until further notice citing a report from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office about the possibility of British nationals becoming victims of a terrorist attack while in Trinidad and Tobago. The last time P&O's Oceana visited Port of Spain in November 2002, it brought an estimated 1,950 passengers. William Ferreira, chairman of the Furness Group, local agents for both P&O and Princess, said he received word of the pullout a few days before the Oceana was to have returned to Port of Spain on January 4. When Ferreira contacted P&O's UK office he was told the P&O "were advised by the Commonwealth office in London that because of terrorist threats it was not safe for the vessel to come to Trinidad". [full text] Form of Terrorism Editorial Newsday/TT, January 24, 2003 THERE IS no denying the gravity of the crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago. The incidence of murder, armed robbery and kidnappings has reached a degree that disturbs us all. But the recent attempts by outsiders to brand our country as a land prone to terrorism is a gratuitous calumny that we must firmly refute. How can the UK government dare to warn their nationals about visiting TT because of the danger of terrorists? As far as this threat is concerned, is their country not worse, much much worse than TT? [full text] Unintelligent intelligence January 26, 2003 By Raffique Shah To suggest, though, that we have amongst us "terrorists" who pose a danger to foreigners is unjust in the extreme. And to see a former Prime Minister support T&T's name being dragged in the mud of terrorism on the basis of badly flawed intelligence reports, one needs to ask if the man is sane...or sober. Except for the transient Trini who would turn "refugee" in a flash based purely on his or her politics, most of us are destined to live and die here. We must, therefore, resist, with one united voice, inept foreign agencies and governments branding us with stamps of their choice. In David Rudder's words, we must be "Trini to the bone." [full text] Iraq's Nuclear Non-Capability Posted: Sunday, January 26, 2003 By Imad Khadduri, YellowTimes.org As the war storm against Iraq swirls and gathers momentum, seeded by the efforts of the American and British governments, serious doubts arise as to the credibility of their intelligence sources, particularly the issue of Iraq's nuclear capability. It has been often noted that reliable intelligence on this matter is not immediately forthcoming. Moreover, such intelligence as has been presented is spurious and often contradictory. Perhaps it is not too late to rectify this misinformation campaign. I worked with the Iraqi nuclear program from 1968 until my departure from Iraq in late 1998. Having been closely involved in most of the major nuclear activities of that program, from the Russian research reactor in the late sixties to the French research reactors in the late seventies, the Russian nuclear power program in the early eighties, the nuclear weapons program during the eighties and finally the confrontations with U.N. inspection teams in the nineties, it behooves me to admit that I find present allegations about Iraq's nuclear capability, as continuously advanced by the Americans and the British, to be ridiculous. Let us go back to 1991. A week before the cessation of two-month saturation bombings on the target-rich Iraq, the Americans realized that a certain complex of buildings in Tarmiah, that had just been carpet bombed for lack of any other remaining prominent targets, exhibited unusual swarming activity by rescuers the next morning. When they compared the photographs of that complex with other standing structures in Iraq, they were surprised to find an exact replica of that complex in the north of Iraq, near Sharqat, which was nearing completion. They directed their bombers to demolish the northern complex a few days before the end of hostilities. My family, along with the families of most prominent Iraqi nuclear scientists and the top management of the northern complex, were residing in the housing complex. The Tarmiah and Sharqat complexes were designed for housing the Calutron separators, similar to those used by the American Manhattan Project to develop the first atomic bombs that were dropped by the Americans on Japan. At the end of 1991, after that infamous U.N. inspector, David Kay, got hold of many of the nuclear weapons program's reports (reports whose maintenance and security I had been in charge of), the Americans realized that their saturation bombing had missed a most important complex of buildings: that complex at Al-Atheer, which was the center for the design and assembly of the nuclear bomb. A lone, single bomb, thermally guided, had hit the electric substation outside the perimeter of the complex, causing little damage. The glaring and revealing detail about these two events is the utter lack of any intelligence about these building complexes -- information that should have caused the repository of American and British intelligence to overflow. That is to say American and British intelligence had no idea of the programs that those buildings harbored -- programs that had been ongoing at full steam for the previous ten years! What really happened to Iraq's nuclear weapon program after the 1991 war? Immediately after the cessation of hostilities, the entire organization that was responsible for the nuclear weapons project turned its attention to the reconstruction of the heavily damaged oil refineries, electric power stations, and telephone exchange buildings. The combined expertise of the several thousand scientific, engineering, and technical cadres manifested itself in the restoration of the oil, electric and communication infrastructure in a matter of months -- an impressive accomplishment, by any measure. Then the U.N. inspectors were ushered in. The senior scientists and engineers among the nuclear cadre were instructed many times on how to cooperate with the inspectors. We were also asked to hand in to our own officials any reports or incriminating evidence, with heavy penalties (up to the death penalty, in some cases) for failing to do so. In the first few months, the "clean sheets" were hung up for all to see. As the scientific questioning mounted, our scientists began to redirect the questioners to the actual technical documents themselves that had been amassed during the ten years of activity. These documents had been traveling up and down and throughout Iraq in a welded train car. Then the order was issued to return the project's documents to their original location. At that point, David Kay pounced on them in the early morning hours of September 1991. Among the documents were those of Al-Atheer and the bomb specifics. In the following few years, the nuclear weapons project organization was slowly disbanded. By 1994, its various departments were either elevated to independent civilian industrial enterprises, or absorbed within the Military Industrial Authority under Hussain Kamil, who later escaped to Jordan in 1996 and then returned to Baghdad where he was murdered. Meanwhile, the brinkmanship with the U.N. inspectors continued. At one heated encounter, an American inspector remarked that the nuclear scientists and engineers were still around, and hinted accusingly that those scientists and engineers may be readily used for a rejuvenated nuclear program. The retort was, "What do you want us to do to satisfy you? Ask them to commit suicide?" In 1994, a report surfaced claiming that Iraq was still manufacturing a nuclear bomb and had been working on it since 1991. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors brought the report to Baghdad, demanding a full explanation. The inspectors requested my opinion on the authenticity of the report, inasmuch as I was the responsible agent for the proper issuance and archiving of all scientific and engineering documents for the nuclear weapons project during the eighties. It was my opinion that the report was well done, and most probably had been written by someone who had detailed knowledge of the established documentation procedures. However, as we pointed out to the IAEA inspectors, certain words used in the report would not normally be used by us but rather by Iranians and we supplied an Arabic-Iranian dictionary to verify our findings. The IAEA inspectors never referred back to that report. During these years, crushing economic inflation was growing. It would spell the end for most of the Iraqi nuclear scientists' and engineers' careers in the following years. In 1996, Hussain Kamil, who was in charge of the entire range of chemical, biological and nuclear programs, announced from his self-imposed exile in Amman that there were hidden caches of important documentation on his farm in Iraq. (Apparently, he had had his security entourage stealthily salvage what they thought were the most important pieces of information and documentation in these programs.) The U.N. inspectors pounced on this and a renewed string of confrontations occurred, until the inspectors were asked to leave Iraq in 1998. In the last few years of the nineties, we did our utmost to produce a satisfying report to the IAEA inspectors concerning the entire gamut of Iraq's nuclear activities. The IAEA finally issued its report in October 1997, mapping these activities in great detail. The inspectors raised vague, "politically correct" queries which seemed obligatory in their intent. In the meantime, and this is the gist of my discourse, the economic standing of the Iraqi nuclear scientists and engineers (along with the rest of the civil servants and the professional middle class) has been pathetically reduced to poverty level. Even with occasional salary inducements and some insubstantial benefits, many of those highly-educated persons have been forced to sell their possessions just to keep their families alive. Needless to say, their spirits are very low and their cynicism is high. Relatively few have managed to leave Iraq. The majority are too gripped by poverty, family needs, and fear of the brutal retaliation of the security apparatus to even consider a plan of escape. Their former determination and drive, profoundly evident in the eighties, has been crushed by harsh economic realities; their knowledge and experience grow rusty with the passage of time; their skills atrophy from lack of activity in their fields. Since my departure from Iraq in late 1998, one cannot help but notice the mien of those former nuclear scientists and engineers as being but a wispy phantom of a once elite cadre representing the zenith of scientific and technical thought in Iraq. Pathetic shadows of their former selves, the overwhelming fear that haunts them is the fear of retirement, with a whopping pension that equates to about $2 a month. Yet, the American and British intelligence community, obviously influenced by the war agenda, vainly attempts to continue to provide disinformation. For example, a consignment of aluminum pipes (the intelligence experts opine) might conceivably be used in the construction of highly advanced, "kilometers long" centrifugal spinners. The consideration that there are no remaining Iraqi personnel qualified to implement and maintain these supposed spinners seems to have eluded the intelligence agencies' reports. Last month, a group of journalists was taken on a guided tour of a "possible" uranium extraction plant in Akashat in western Iraq. The Iraqi guide pointed to the obviously demolished buildings and asked tongue-in-cheek, "Who would make any use of these ruins? Maybe your experts would tell us how." It is true that the Iraqi nuclear scientists and engineers did not commit suicide. But for all the remaining capability they possess to rebuild a nuclear weapons program, they may as well have. Bush and Blair are leading their public by the nose, attempting to cloak shoddy and erroneous intelligence data with hollow patriotic urgings and cajolery. But the two parading emperors have no clothes. - [Imad Khadduri has a MSc in Physics from the University of Michigan (United States) and a PhD in Nuclear Reactor Technology from the University of Birmingham (United Kingdom). Khadduri worked with the Iraqi Atomic Energy Commission from 1968 until 1998. He was able to leave Iraq in late 1998 with his family. He now teaches and works as a network administrator in Toronto, Canada.] Imad Khadduri encourages your comments: imad.khadduri@rogers.com YellowTimes.org is an international news and opinion publication. YellowTimes.org encourages its material to be reproduced, reprinted, or broadcast provided that any such reproduction identifies the original source, http://www.YellowTimes.org. Internet web links to http://www.YellowTimes.org are appreciated. Venezuelan security Posted: Sunday, January 26, 2003 Vheadline.com Venezuelan security strategy to restore law & order to violent anti-government protests Well-informed sources have revealed exclusively to VHeadline.com Venezuela that the High Command of the National Guard (GN) is about to be changed ... and it could be within a matter of hours. The announcement will come as the government seeks to deal firmly with anti-constitutional rebels and with minimum force to restore law and order to Venezuela after more than seven weeks of efforts by the anti- Chavez Frias opposition to cause incredible damage to the nation's economic infrastructure. According to our confidential sources GN General Jesus Villegas Solarte, who was promoted by President Hugo Chavez Frias only last Wednesday (January 22) is in the process of taking command of Venezuela's federal police organization, the National Guard (GN). *It is mooted that the current Commander-in-Chief of the GN, General (GN) Eugenio Gutierrez Ramos take up an appointment at Venezuela's embassy in Panama. Meanwhile it is seen as highly likely that GN Inspector General Ramon Obispo Torrealba, General Ronald Santamaria and Operations Chief General Victor Medina will probably be put on the retirement list after the latter two wrote to the C-i-C Gutierrez Ramos who initiated an investigation on their demand that "belching" Brigadier General Luis Felipe Acosta Carles. should be removed from the command of Regional Command (CORE 2) in Valencia after the widely opposition media-profiled "Coca Cola incident." Brigadier General Acosta Carles is instead headed for the command of Regional Command (CORE 5) in El Paraiso (Caracas) under direct orders from the Interior & Justice (MIJ) Ministry to take control of the Metropolitan Caracas area where violently anti-Chavez opposition Metro Mayor Alfredo Pena's "private army" of Metropolitan Police (PM) has so far failed to take necessary action against anti-constitutional rebels and to restore law and order. Update : Jan. 26, 2003 Posted: Saturday, January 25, 2003 Venezuela's Chavez Frias: "We will be close to OPEC levels in perhaps a month!" When the rules are purposefully broken by Keith Davis, Vheadline.com Unlike the US, which has never seen a successful impeachment, Venezuela impeached President Carlos Andres Perez in 1993 on charges of corruption, which signaled a beginning of the end of 40 years of institutional corruption that had lavished the nation's oil wealth on those now called the "opposition." The Consultative referendum that Carter proposed has been in the Constitution all along as Article 71. That's right ... Carter proposed nothing new, he just did his "homework." Why has the "opposition" overlooked that article? Because it requires a petition by a mere verifiable 10% of voters ... a number they probably feel they cannot achieve by less than fraudulent means considering that they have lost the last several elections ... which is also why they are against using the legal and electoral processes for impeachment or removal. [full text] Latest News Posted: Saturday, January 25, 2003 ¤ Witnesses: 6 Palestinians killed as IDF tanks enter Gaza ¤ U.S. Bush-whacked ¤ Israel bridge demolition in northern Gaza Strip ¤ Europe's declaration of independence ¤ New official dies in Kenya air crash ¤ Group Says U.S. Government Had Braced for Anthrax Attacks ¤ Iraq Says 3 Hurt in U.S., British Strike ¤ 5 Killed As Planes Collide in Denver ¤ Kenyan ministers in fatal plane crash ¤ US interrogators turn to 'torture lite' ¤ 'Beaten and abused by the guards' ¤ The Nuclear Option in Iraq ¤ Saudi Oil Minister Says No Shortage of Oil ¤ On Afghan Border, War Drags On ¤ Human shields head for Iraq ¤ U.S. Coalition for War Has Few Partners, Troop Pledges ¤ Shots Fired at U.S. Convoy in Kuwait ¤ Thousands of Germans Protest War on Iraq ¤ Virus Alert: New Slammer Worm ¤ US 'will be patient on Iraq' ¤ UN agency 'quite satisfied' with Iraq; US disagrees ¤ Iraq: Is the evidence convincing? ¤ U.S. To Consider More Israeli Aid ¤ US War Plans Unveiled ¤ Attack On Iraq Could Lead To War Crimes Prosecutions ¤ Protesters denounce war at elite world summit ¤ War Is Sell ¤ Israel, American Jews, and the War on Iraq ¤ Israeli Democracy Fact or Fiction? ¤ U.S. Admit Plan To Snatch Iraqi Oil Fields ¤ US interrogators turn to 'torture lite' ¤ 'People's UN' marches to beat of new drum ¤ Iraq: no nuclear evidence ¤ Iraq to Get Good Grade by Nuke Inspectors ¤ When will we resist? ¤ How America got to rule the world ¤ Allies ready to attack Iraq without UN ¤ Deadly ambush boosts Sharon ¤ The world waits to hear Blix's Baghdad verdict ¤ Australian PM paves way to ignore UN ¤ Washington stokes row with allies ¤ Give UN more time: Howard plea to Bush ¤ True-blue ideals begin to fade ¤ 'Allies' fail to heed call to war ¤ On the road with Murder Inc ¤ Delay on action over North Korea crisis is rebuff for America ¤ US-Europe spat threatens to isolate Britain Sanitising U.S. policy towards Chávez Posted: Saturday, January 25, 2003 by STEPHEN KANGAL Caroni, Trinidad and Tobago The changing configuration of current US foreign policy being adopted towards the political vagaries of the regime of populist, reformist President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela can best be described as ambivalent and at worst, congenital bungling. The US had unmistakably left its fingerprints in the botched up, short-lived April 12 coup. This belief gained further currency/credence from the ill-advised, premature US recognition of the Pedro Carmona regime on April 13. It would appear that the US has not learnt from its previous April 13 diplomatic faux pas committed against President Chávez having regard to its December attitude towards the Opposition led 4th strike action. It is now attempting to sanitize its position and salvage its reputation for being a supporter of democratic regimes. The US is caught in the throes of a petro cum military dilemma. It is pathologically ill -equipped to play a carefully crafted, balanced, diplomatic role towards Venezuela-a country that is politically and ideologically cosmopolitan in its foreign policy posturing but uncompromisingly pro-USA energy-wise. In short, US foreign policy hitherto adopted towards the Chávez regime lacks credibility, consistency and democratic underpinnings. It is patently that clear the US is now backpedaling. It has now made a virtual climb-down from its earlier December 2002 strong anti-Chávez rhetoric. Department of State press spokesmen including US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon are now reading from a re-written script. They are now underlining the position that the US supports the Government and people of Venezuela as well as the three mediators in their quest to achieve a solution to the current political/economic crisis that is "peaceful, democratic, constitutional and electoral". In mid-December the State Department rallied its support behind an Opposition call for an unconstitutional "early elections" scenario. Ari Fleischer, State Department spokesman a few days later had to soften and dilute this position to support a 2 February "non-binding referendum". It would appear now that the US supports the constitutionally prescribed 3 August binding referendum midway through President Chávez's current term that began in 2000. The mid-term referendum is in fact a more democratic provision in the Venezuelan Constitution than any principle or checks that regulate the tenure of the US Presidency. What are the political, strategic, military and economic underpinnings that are now clearly mitigating/softening/sanitising the US policy towards the Chávez regime? It is clear that the Anglo-American alliance has in fact decided to initiate hostilities against Saddam Hussein. This offensive has as its pre-condition the prior need to achieve a rapid restoration of the status quo in the 3.5m bpd producing oilfields of Venezuela. Striking PDVSA workers are pivotal to the current shutdown that has virtually crippled the Venezuelan economy, decimated oil production causing oil price to rise above $30.00. Venezuela and Iraq account for 5.5 million bpd of a world market/demand of 76 million bpd of which OPEC supplies 24 million bpd. Were the Iraqi invasion to take place simultaneous to a Venezuelan oil shutdown, oil price will escalate to $80.00 per barrel. This will cause havoc and convulsions in the world economy. The US cannot afford this consequence to its own economy. In addition to its current bilateral initiatives geared to normalise/sanitize US-Venezuelan relations that will definitively weaken Carlos Ortega's led Opposition shutdown, the US has brokered the "Friends of Venezuela" mission consisting of Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Chile and the USA that took shape during the installation of populist President Lucio Gutierrez of Ecuador on January 10. The US also supports the mediation roles being conducted by Cesar Gavaria, S/G of the OAS as well as by former President Jimmy Carter. The S/G of the UN, Kofi Annan has also underscored the need to achieve a constitutionally determined settlement in the current impasse in Venezuela during Chávez's recent visit to the UN. It seems that democratic justice may be done in Venezuela only because of a US/British penchant to remove/disarm Saddam Hussein even though several other states possess weapons of mass destruction. The Bush Administration may also be realising, albeit rather late, that it cannot buck the growing popularity of 'el proceso"- a new populist political philosophy that has sunk deep roots among the huge working class in Brazil, Ecuador, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela. Update : Jan. 25, 2003 Posted: Saturday, January 25, 2003 26 Days Later... Gunson Replies British Correspondent in Venezuela Writes Third Letter to Narco News By Phil Gunson, Reply from Al Giordano, www.narconews.com Anti-Chavez Protestors made us Laugh Our local television, TV6, featured a small group of Venezuelan protestors in Trinidad. A spokeswoman for the group said that they know Trinidadians are not informed on what is happening in Venezuela. She said, "it is true that Chavez was democratically elected, so too was Saddam and Castro. We put him (Chavez) there, now we want him out!" I would like to tell her that Trinidadians do not need that type of 'information'. We in Trinidad know that Saddam and Castro were not elected leaders. Like what happens in our country, we have a fair idea which group of people were financially profiting from previous years of Government mismanagement and corruption. We also know that there is a legal/democratic process for removing Chavez. - Message Board Latest News Posted: Friday, January 24, 2003 ¤ Iraq Grade Could 'B' Trouble ¤ Israeli Troops kill two Palestinians ¤ Senate Blocks Funding for Pentagon Database ¤ US stands firms on Iraq claims ¤ South Korea to Send Two Envoys to North ¤ Israeli helicopters fire missiles into hospital in Gaza ¤ Israel hits back after ambush ¤ No nuke evidence in samples from Iraq: UN lab ¤ Authority of the United Nations at risk, says Powell ¤ UK and Australian Troops 'could face court action' ¤ U.N. Monitors Search Iraq Chemical Plant ¤ Report: White House weighs extending inspections ¤ Israel enraged by Blair envoy's West Bank trip ¤ Why Millions Of Americans Are Anti-War ¤ Turkey Takes A Stand On Possible Iraq War ¤ Malaysia's Mahathir Assails U.S. at Davos Opening ¤ Why the Rush to War? ¤ US Will Reveal Iraq Arms Evidence At 'Appropriate Time' ¤ Japanese PM Calls On US To Consider International Opinions ¤ Moscow Opposes Debating Use Of Force Against Iraq In UN ¤ Going Too Far: Israel Plans Killings on US Soil ¤ Elections near: must attack Iraq ¤ Bush camp: 'It's war within weeks' ¤ Israelis detain hundreds without trial ¤ NEW Nato allies of eastern Europe behind Bush ¤ Anger at Rumsfeld attack on 'old Europe' ¤ This drive to war is one of the mysteries of our time ¤ Ritter cries foul at sex arrest 'smear' ¤ UK moves to limit damage over invitation to Mugabe ¤ Blair gets mouthful from student over Iraq ¤ US flexes muscles off Korean peninsula ¤ We're off to war, UN or not ¤ Iraq's neighbours split on best way to avoid war ¤ White House workers box clever to avoid red faces ¤ Pakistan expels four Indian diplomats ¤ 'UNSC not ready to adopt new Iraq resolution' ¤ 'US to lose credibility among Muslim countries' ¤ Six killed in held Kashmir ¤ Nations unite in bid to stall war ¤ Thousands rally in Baghdad Update : Jan. 24, 2003 Posted: Friday, January 24, 2003 Chávez supporters converge on Caracas In what was dubbed ''the great Caracas takeover,'' hundreds of thousands of people descended on Venezuela's capital Thursday to support President Hugo Chávez in the eighth week of a nationwide strike aimed at ousting him. The event was also called to mark the 45-year anniversary of the fall of Gen. Marcos Pérez Jiménez, Venezuela's last dictator. The celebration of democracy was intentional: It was meant as a knock against those who believe Chávez, whose leftist policies show an affinity for communism, is a dictator in the making. - By Frances Robles and Phil Gunson, www.miami.com Venezuela Oil Output Slowly Picking Up CARACAS, Venezuela - Oil production is slowly picking up in Venezuela, a sign President Hugo Chavez may be gaining in his efforts to break a nearly 2-month-old strike. - By Christopher Toothaker, Associated Press Politicising the Venezuelan press Posted: Friday, January 24, 2003 From Trinidad and Tobago THE EDITOR: One Venezuelan demonstrating outside of the Venezuelan Embassy recently, Ms Beatrice Joseph, accused the TT media, quite unjustifiably, of not reporting the events in Venezuela adequately. On the other hand independent journalists who have visited Venezuela during the current strike have commented on the overt and subtle anti-government propaganda twists contained in reports issued by both the privately-owned Venezuelan and foreign media houses in respect of both the current imbroglio as well as during the aborted April 12 coup attempt. The privately owned Venezuela media houses have joined forces with the power-hungry Opposition to subvert the democratically elected Government of social reformist and populist President Hugo Chavez Frias. The private press has in fact unashamedly politicised itself using recognised press freedoms as a licence to subvert the democratic process. Objective and disinterested reporting has been abandoned. Deliberate fabrications as well as false, misleading and sensational reporting are intended to fuel the instability, promote chaos and bring the Chavez regime to its knees. A virtual media blockade has been instituted against pro-government’s demonstrations/positions. In fact the foreign news outfits such as CNN, New York Times, Reuters and AP have been branded the Four Horsemen of Simulation. Only commercials supportive of the Opposition strike action are being aired. The only antidote to counteract the waves of misinformation and innuendoes is the small private independent media and the on-line journalism that has been dubbed "authentic journalism." Such has been the unbearable extent of private media manipulation and collusion with the Opposition that Chavistas have in fact mounted violent protest action against maverick, offending television stations. The President has threatened to revoke further television licences (Newsday Jan 14, p26) as he had done previously after the botched up coup attempt of April last. How can the internal political and economic situation prevailing in Venezuela be projected by the Press as being so explosively unstable and yet President Chavez can see it safe to travel to Brazil, Ecuador and the UN in New York within the last two weeks? STEPHEN KANGAL Caroni Latest News Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2003 ¤ Why the Rush to War? ¤ Armed and Dangerous in the Middle East ¤ 'A River of Peaceful People' ¤ These boots were made for talking about ¤ Appeals For Peace Flood In ¤ Iraqi Opposition Falling Short of U.S. Expectations ¤ Anti-war movement grows louder, stronger ¤ Israeli Forces Beat AFP, AP Photographers in Nablus ¤ Powell: No More Iraq Inspections Needed ¤ Barbados body plans march against US war on Iraq ¤ US warns North Korea strike is possible ¤ CIA makes first attempt to recruit Arab-Americans ¤ U.S. Dismisses Growing Opposition to Iraq War ¤ What's The Point Of These Anti-War Protests? ¤ Iraq Inspections Have Exposed The Hoax of the 'Dossiers' ¤ Kerry blasts Bush Iraq policy ¤ Some Final Pretexts That The U.S. Might Use For Launching A War ¤ Don't waver, Bush warns France and Germany ¤ Blasts Rock Southern Afghanistan Near Pakistan ¤ List of US military bases around the world ¤ Palestinian gunmen kill three Israelis ¤ Thousands of people rallied in support of Chavez ¤ China adds voice to Iraq war doubts ¤ Bushshit hits the fan: Now we must put teeth into our response ¤ Russia Says No Grounds for Force Against Iraq ¤ Rumsfeld's remarks draw anger in France ¤ Lonely Saber Rattling ¤ US begins secret talks to secure Iraq's oilfields ¤ A matter of life, death - and oil ¤ Quarrels, deals, and coups ¤ Latinos become main minority group in US ¤ Impatient Powell says inspections will not work ¤ American support for Bush and war starts to slide in poll ¤ Anti-war human shields attempt to prevent attack ¤ A blindness that puts us all in danger ¤ Blair 'faces choice between US and Europe' ¤ British fury as France invites Mugabe to Paris conference ¤ Symbolic moment that underlines Britain's isolation in Europe ¤ Robertson to step down as Nato's Secretary General ¤ Powerful offshore earthquake kills at least 23 in Mexico ¤ UN 'will refuse to authorise war with Iraq' ¤ NATO wavering on war with Iraq ¤ Conquering Iraq won't go down well ¤ Germany blocks the road to war ¤ US kicks aside EU resistance ¤ French lead effort to head off war ¤ Double mastectomy a mistake ¤ Iraq neighbours bid to avert war ¤ UN inspectors and Iraq settle on new steps ¤ US pilots broke rules, says general ¤ I'd bring troops home, vows Crean ¤ The French resistance Update : Jan. 23, 2003 Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2003 Tribunal of Justice rules disobedience not applicable against lawful public authority Altamira coupsters have been foiled in the latest ruling by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) where Chief Justice Ivan Rincon Urdaneta says that under Article 350 of the 1999 Constitution, referring to civil disobedience, "such actions may not be lawfully used to justify failure to recognize organs of; public authority under a democratically-elected government in accordance with applicable Constitutional order." vheadline.com U.S. escalates military buildup in Latin America Under the pretext of combating terrorism, the Bush Administration is promoting the most intense US military buildup in Latin America since Washington backed a series of military coups that brought right-wing military dictatorships to power in much of the continent in the 1960s and 1970s. The resurgence of American militarism in what US imperialism has historically regarded as its "own backyard" was evident at the fifth Conference of Defence Ministers of the Americas held in Santiago, Chile in late November. US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, together with top American military commanders, attended the meeting. By Mauricio Saavedra, wsws.org Ronald Reagan And The Venezuelan Strikes by Heinz Dieterich Steffan ; Rebelión ; January 20, 2003 On August 3, 1981 around 13,000 air controllers in the U.S. went to strike after failed negotiations with the federal government. The strike aimed at an improvement in wages as well as reductions on working hours. That same day, President Ronald Reagan declared the strike illegal and threatened all those involved in it with contractual termination if they did not return to work within 48 hours. Robert Pole, president of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO), was fined with USD$ 1,000 a day by a federal judge while the strike was on. On August 5, Ronald Reagan made effective his threats and fired 11,359 air controllers who continued with the walkout. Moreover, the President imposed to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) a lifetime prohibition to re-hire any of the dismissed air controllers. On August 17, the FAA started to receive job applications to fill the 11,359 vacancies and on October 22 the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) declared void the legal status of PATCO. Meanwhile, Reagan ordered military air controllers to take over the duties of their dismissed civil colleagues thereby, converting the former in scabs. [full text] Latest News Posted: Wednesday, January 22, 2003 ¤ Trying to halt America's march to war ¤ Role reversal: Bush wants war, Pentagon urges caution ¤ Bush to UN: "How much time do we need?" ¤ UN division over invasion widens ¤ Bush's moral clarity turns fuzzy ¤ The myth of the war economy ¤ Mexico shaken by earthquake ¤ Turkey Urges Bush to Heed Call for Peace ¤ Willing to Go to War With or Without U.N. ¤ U.S. Gen. Says Military Ready for War ¤ N Korea fears US attack ¤ Kuwaitis' Gratitude to U.S. Gives Way to Resentment ¤ Get On Blair's Case And Give Peace A Chance ¤ France, Germany Agree on Avoiding Iraq War ¤ Rumsfeld Apologizes for Remarks on Draftees ¤ The Return of John Rambo: Smoking Out Bin Laden ¤ State Department's John Bolton the Wrong Man to Send to Korea ¤ France and Germany break ranks on Iraq ¤ No link between Iraq and al-Qaeda: UN ¤ No justification for war say UN allies ¤ TARGET: SCOTT RITTER The War Party gets ugly ¤ Israeli Bulldozers flatten Palestinian market ¤ U.S. prepares for terror attack in food > Scandal with genetically modified foods? Blame terrorists! (wrh) ¤ Venezuela suspends currency markets ¤ UN must force a solution on Israelis ¤ Australian government deploys military forces to the Persian Gulf ¤ US military insists on right of "hot pursuit" inside Pakistan ¤ N. Korea Deems Nuclear Talks Off Limits ¤ Gun and sword attacks leave one dead, two injured in Austrailia ¤ Bush rules out more time for Iraqi inspection ¤ 10 die in bus-van collision ¤ Side effects of war ¤ Is this all really about the smoking gun? ¤ Using Torture in the War on Terrorism? ¤ Watching Your Every Move ¤ Agencies fear human disaster in Iraq ¤ Spies in Iraq to remove Saddam ¤ Powell talks tough as UN wavers ¤ 'Still no case' for strike on Baghdad ¤ Hizbollah attack 'serious development': Israel ¤ Captive helped trick US while bin Laden escaped ¤ Racism a worry, says Bush; so are you, say African Americans ¤ Europeans baulk at Iraq strike Update : Jan. 22, 2003 Posted: Wednesday, January 22, 2003 Can You Believe Venezuela’s Pollsters? "Chávez has to be Killed," Says One, the Other Speaks of "A Fight to the Death" - By Justin Delacour, Narco News US Ambassador Charles Shapiro warned to stop meddling in Venezuela's internal political business According to a leaked report the Venezuelan Armed Forces (FAN) is to issue a broadside against US Ambassador Charles Shapiro ahead of Friday's meeting in Washington D.C. of the "Friends of Venezuela" grouping of Foreign Ministers. vheadline.com Supreme Court delays opposition referendum call The Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) has ruled that a consultative referendum the opposition had hoped to hold on February 2 can not go ahead until a decision is made on whether National Electoral College (CNE) board member Leonardo Pizani may legally sit and vote on the board. vheadline.com Vice President urges nation to respect ruling Echoes of the past and the lessons of history Jim Reed, for CBC News Online | Jan. 15, 2003 Venezuela in 2003 bears an eerie resemblance to the Chile I knew back in 1973. Latest News Posted: Tuesday, January 21, 2003 ¤ Israel destroys 62 shops in Palestinian village ¤ 8000 Palestinian Captives in Israeli Prisons, Only 16 Lawyers ¤ UN Must Force a Solution on Israelis, Says Primakov ¤ Redford speaks out against war ¤ France will not back U.S. attack ¤ Turkey Denies Deal on Bases for U.S. Action ¤ US faces more opposition in UN on Iraq issue ¤ Washington is making Saddam an offer he can't accept ¤ Belafonte continues Powell criticism ¤ Diplomacy with Iraq is finished: Rumsfeld ¤ Rice persuades Bush to condemn Affirmative Action ¤ Kola Boof Responds to Traitor Charges ¤ New York Times discovers the opposition to war in Iraq ¤ Blueprint for a US colonial regime in Baghdad ¤ The Secret of Bush's "Stimulus" Package ¤ British opposition to Iraq war grows - poll ¤ France Vows to Block Resolution on Iraq War ¤ Security Council divided on Iraq ¤ UN inspectors doubt Iraq has mass destruction weapons: Blix ¤ Together We Can Stop This Immoral War ¤ Israeli forces demolish Palestinian shops ¤ Who controls your news ¤ NY Times Fires Publisher of International Herald Tribune ¤ Syria tells U.S. Arabs angry over Iraq war plans ¤ Venezuela tanker pilots break strike ¤ Farewell to nuclear apartheid? ¤ Iraq, UN ink accord on arms search ¤ Support for war falls to new low ¤ Iraq reverses Russia oil ban ¤ Canadian Avalanche Kills 8 U.S. Skiers ¤ How former Cold War foes got together to bug North Korea ¤ Peace hopes dwindle as Sharon spurns 'biased' EU ¤ France and Germany dream of EU embassies around the world ¤ European allies move to thwart Blair war strategy ¤ Powell at odds with Bush on racial discrimination ¤ Blacks go shopping to reclaim their dark past ¤ 2,000-year-old settlement found in Indian city ¤ Thousands of British troops head to Gulf ¤ Britain to send in quarter of its army ¤ Police smash way into mosque in anti-terrorist raid ¤ Muslims claim British police raid will help extremists recruit ¤ Turkey, a key ally, on fence over supporting Iraq war Update : Jan. 21, 2003 Posted: Tuesday, January 21, 2003 Ecuador's Lucio Era Begins Drug War, Plan Colombia, and US Air Base at Manta, Test the New President By Ron Smith reporting from Quito, Ecuador via narconews.com I'll tell you what is happening! A cold and brutal group of foreigners and greedy corrupt Venezuelan elites are punishing the people who live in the countryside, and in the ranchos around Caracas, because they DARE to stand up for themselves and DARED to vote for Chavez! They are now without soda, beer, low on gas and devoid of tourism ... they are not starving ... they are enduring, quietly ... they are not in the streets screaming and ranting like the "civilized" opposition ... they are not attacking National Guardsmen. They are going to school, working every day, helping their neighbors, playing music and dancing in the evening. They know the truth ...even if you are too blind to see it. by Dawn Gable, vheadline.com Venezuela tanker pilots break strike CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Oil tanker pilots have ended a seven-week-old strike in western Lake Maracaibo, a key oil export area, Venezuelan shipping agents said Tuesday. The move should ease the export of crude oil from western Venezuela, which has dropped sharply due to the strike. But, shippers said flows are unlikely to rise dramatically until overseas ship operators begin using the ports again. via CNN US ex-President Jimmy Carter puts forward plan to end Venezuela's crisis After what he describes as fruitful talks with Chavez Frias today he says his "blueprint" includes an immediate face-saving end to opposition stoppage which has unsuccessfully attempted to force the resignation of Venezuela's democratically-elected leader. Carter proposes an early amendment to Venezuela's 1999 Constitution to allow earlier elections than the alternative proposal to simply wait until August 19, when the constitution allows for a binding referendum on the President's rule halfway through his existing mandate which runs thru 2007. While Carter stresses that he's pleased with the initial reaction from both Chavez and opposition representatives, the proposal would still need to be formally debated and approved by the nation's parliament, National Assembly (AN). by David Coleman, vheadline.com Update : Jan. 20, 2003 Posted: Monday, January 20, 2003 Vice President politely tells US Ambassador to mind his own business Executive Vice President, Jose Vicente Rangel, on Sunday responded to US Ambassador to Venezuela, Charles Shapiro's, concerns over the seizure of products from Empresas Polar and Panamco, who have been accused of hoarding, politely telling the Ambassador to mind his own business. "Ambassador, with all due respect, you are not an authority in this country." Rangel then insisted that the US would clearly apply US law to a Venezuelan company, like Citgo, trading in the US, so it was only natural that US companies trading in Venezuela were obliged to remain within Venezuelan law. Rangel went on the emphasize "relations have to be based on mutual respect. This is not a protectorate or a colony." - by Robert Rudnicki, www.vheadline.com Venezuela "strike" the anatomy of a US-backed provocation Leaders of the right-wing umbrella group seeking to overthrow Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez have dropped their demand that Chavez resign immediately as a condition for calling off the business shutdown that has dragged on for more than six weeks. Representatives of the Democratic Coordinator also suggested that doctors, restaurant owners and other small businessmen were free to end their participation in the so-called general strike that began on December 2. Rafael Alfonzo, a leader of Fedecamaras, the Venezuelan chamber of commerce, said that many businesses were faced with bankruptcy if they remained closed. "We feel that the right decision is not one that kills the private sector," he said. The question of whether to reopen is "pretty much at the individual level now." By Patrick Martin, www.wsws.org 29-year-old killed; 12 wounded in opposition attack on "Chavistas" Opposition demonstrators went wild, attacking pro-government supporters in Charallave as police and fire fighters fought to control ugly confrontations. Opposition-loyalist Miranda State Governor Enrique Mendoza says the rioters had torched hijacked vehicles when a series of shots were heard ... a 29-year-old man was killed and 12 wounded in the gunfire, according to Fire chief Lt. Col. Guido Bolivar. by Roy S. Carson, www.vheadline.com Latest News Posted: Sunday, January 19, 2003 ¤ Pro-Marijuana Group Responds To US Drug Policy ¤ A Stirring in the Nation ¤ An Unjust War ¤ Tomgram: Notes from a rookie antiwar protester ¤ The Jenin Story Will Finally Be Told ¤ Overcoming North Korea's 'Tyranny of Proximity' ¤ Our Troops Not Ready For Iraq War ¤ Blix wins deal on Iraqi scientists ¤ Pope urges 'diplomacy,' condemns war ¤ Bush's team split on what would trigger attack on Iraq ¤ Can King's Legacy Be Reclaimed from Its Abusers? ¤ As Opposition Grows, Bush's Ratings Slump ¤ Bush Approval Rating in Free Fall ¤ Let's Opt Out of Absurd War with Iraq ¤ US government is running exactly like the Sopranos ¤ Ex-Serbian president surrenders for trial ¤ Iraq promises UN more co-operation ¤ Iraq to push for private UN interviews with scientists ¤ Seven Arrested As Cops Raid Mosque In London ¤ Chechen oil giving huge profit to Russian military ¤ U.S. to seek vote to deny UN rights chair to Libya ¤ Visions of empire or delusion? ¤ US offers immunity to Saddam ¤ US marchers take to streets in echo of 60s ¤ Don't count on the UN to save us from going to war ¤ Four More EMPTY Warheads Found in Iraq > Bush, Rumsfeld, Cheney and Rice ¤ Russia leases nuclear bombers to India ¤ Sharon: Europe Too Biased Against Israel ¤ Powell Backs U. of M. Affirmative Action ¤ We cannot go to war just because Saddam is a liar ¤ South Korean leader claims US hardliners discussed attacking North ¤ Bush moves again to tap Alaskan oil reserves ¤ Iraqi scientist denies papers tell of nuclear programme Latest News Posted: Sunday, January 19, 2003 ¤ The moral argument against war ¤ Let's opt out of absurd war with Iraq ¤ Doubters Must Push Hard for Peace ¤ Oil lobby determined to have its war in Iraq ¤ A Skeptical U.N. Support Ebbs for U.S. War Plans ¤ America's Ultra-Secret Weapon > No secret now! Latest U.S. propaganda! ¤ Israel unleashes its death squads ¤ Sharon authorizes Mossad to kill Palestinians ¤ Inspectors have covered CIA's sites of 'concern' FOUND NOTHING! ¤ Analysis shows no new weapons in Iraq ¤ Council sentiment decidedly war-wary ¤ No smoking gun in Iraq, Bush shifting to 'Non-cooperation' claim ¤ US endeavors to forge undisputed leadership over world community ¤ The Rise Of The Fortress Continent ¤ Five US Navy supply ships sail south through Suez ¤ Sharon: I see 'eye to eye' with U.S., Europeans 'unbalanced' ¤ Powell Says US Ready to Go to War Alone ¤ Anti-Western Sentiment Grows in Russia ¤ 'I will not be pushed into war by US' - Blix ¤ Australia Fires Kill 4, Force Evacuations ¤ Poll: Americans in No Rush for Iraq War ¤ U.S. will focus on settlements after war, Wolfowitz says ¤ A Skeptical U.N. ¤ Saudis deny plan to oust Saddam ¤ Human Peace Sign from Antarctica ¤ War Clouds Cast Long Shadow on Economy ¤ Recovery Invisible, Firms Write Off 2003 ¤ Libya Poised to Preside at U.N. Top Rights Body ¤ American Jews renounce Israeli citizenship ¤ Thousands Rally in U.S. Against Iraq War ¤ A world against the war ¤ Global protest delivers a resounding 'No' ¤ UN team 'acted like Mafia', says Iraqi scientist ¤ There is no evidence. There is no case for war ¤ What a crusade! What a campaign! What a pity we're none the wiser! ¤ US sends more warships, troops to Gulf ¤ UN experts face Iraqi ire as anti-war protests go worldwide ¤ Hamas makes good on threat to keep pressure on Israel ¤ Calls to revive military draft are off base Update : Jan. 19, 2003 Posted: Sunday, January 19, 2003 Mainstream Media Disinforms on Food Siezures What was patently ignored in all the publicity given the event around the world was that the procedure was accomplished with explicit court orders (based on charges of hoarding -- a common practice mostly ignored by former Venezuelan regimes), the GN (accompanied by a judicial witness and a representative from the Official Ombudsman's Office) presented themselves at the locations to take control of the redistribution of the illegally retained products. 100,000 anti-government protesters CARACAS, Venezuela - At least 100,000 anti-government protesters staged a candlelight march in Caracas late Saturday, converging on a city highway waving national flags, flashlights and flaming torches. By Jorge Rueda, Associated Press Writer Venezuela's population is over 24 million US government rules out unconstitutional solution US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon has ruled out US support for, or tolerance of, any unconstitutional solution to Venezuela's political conflict ... "if we learn any lesson from the tragic events of April 11, it is that an unconstitutional solution to what Venezuela faces is not viable. It is not viable inside Venezuela ... it is not viable outside Venezuela." Shannon voiced his government's respect for Venezuelan democracy, and Washington's support for the persistent efforts of Organization of American States (OAS) secretary general, Cesar Gaviria, although he acknowledged that the task Gaviria is faced with is a challenging one, due to the extent of the differences between the two sides. by Robert Rudnicki, www.vheadline.com Let us hope the U.S. has learnt from the past and further U.S. actions match these words. I won't hold my breath! - Ayinde Mainstream Media Disinforms on Food Siezures Posted: Sunday, January 19, 2003 by Oscar Heck in CARACAS According to local news broadcasts, Friday, the Venezuelan National Guard (GN) began taking over foodstuff, bottled water, soft drink and beer (Polar and Regional) warehouses/factories that were hoarding inventory that would ... under normal circumstances ... already be on the market. However, what was patently ignored in all the publicity given the event around the world was that the procedure was accomplished with explicit court orders (based on charges of hoarding -- a common practice mostly ignored by former Venezuelan regimes), the GN (accompanied by a judicial witness and a representative from the Official Ombudsman's Office) presented themselves at the locations to take control of the redistribution of the illegally retained products. How and when the distribution of these products will begin is still to be seen. According to a manager ay one of these operations, hoarding is not taking place, since the warehouse only contained about a half million liters of assorted beverages. Another interesting item regarding these recent events is that Coca-Cola/Panamco (the local Cisneros Group owners) and Empresas Polar (the Mendoza family) began broadcasting a written statement thanking the Venezuelan public for supporting them in these hard times, claiming that they have been doing their best to faithfully serve Venezuelans as they have always done and tried to do... Panamco produces bottled water and amongst other things, Coca-Cola while Empresas Polar produces (again amongst other things) Polar beer and "malta" (a popular sweet beverage) as well as Harina PAN maize flour ... a basic Venezuelan staple. According to government representatives, the GN will continue to take over those industries that have been illegally closed and are clearly suspect of hoarding huge quantities of foodstuffs from public consumption ... all with the proper court procedures and documents. Readers abroad should note that industrial hoarding of basic foodstuffs has historically been one of the major instigators of mass riots ... the last occurrence in Venezuela was under the corrupt Presidency of Accion Democratica (AD) Carlos Andres Perez in February 1989, leaving an estimated 2,000 dead. Latest News Posted: Saturday, January 18, 2003 ¤ Do Well in Hard Times: Become a Bush Political Appointee ¤ The US Economy Needs Oil Like a Junkie Needs Heroin ¤ Bush's Policy on Iraq Labels U.S. as 'Belligerent Bully,' ¤ CIA: No Chemicals in Iraqi Warheads ¤ Blix Uncertain if Iraq Has Banned Arms ¤ Blast Kills Seven in Northern Bangladesh ¤ Thousands protest in Japan against war in Iraq ¤ A cry for peace joins crowds in Washington, across U.S. and around the world ¤ Rumsfeld: US May Attack Iraq Even If Saddam Gone ¤ British MP arrives to join anti-war protest ¤ Diverse anti-war activists: We're just warming up ¤ Anti-war protests slated all over U.S. ¤ Protests begin across the world against possible American attack on Iraq ¤ Minnesotans protest another war in Iraq: 'Here we are again' ¤ Ron Kovic: Peace movement will be largest ever ¤ British protesters demonstrate outside military base against Iraq war ¤ Marches in Japan, Russia Oppose Iraq War ¤ Peace protesters stage UK vigils ¤ Sowing the Whirlwind: Israel, America and the Coming War ¤ We don't want a war either, says Bagdad, California ¤ Death Toll of Brazil Mudslides Up to 36 ¤ Bush impatient, Blair insistent, Saddam defiant. And the world waits ¤ In Europe and America, peace gets a chance ¤ This looming war isn't about chemical warheads: it's about oil ¤ When we look at gangsta culture we may mistake power for impotence ¤ Point of no return ¤ US talks tough on deal with North Korea ¤ Death toll over 1,450 in South Asia cold wave ¤ 16 anti-war protesters held in Los Angeles ¤ Iraq situation ¤ What is the purpose of United Nations? Update : Jan. 18, 2003 Posted: Saturday, January 18, 2003 Biased BBC "News" report is political propaganda I was appalled and outraged by the BBC correspondent Mr. Matt Frei's so-called "news " report from Caracas, Venezuela, broadcast on BBC World TV. His superficial, one-sided view of the crisis in Venezuela was outright political propaganda in support of terrorism against a democratically elected government. His account revealed either a total ignorance or a deliberately connived distortion of the reality, and manifested disrespect and contempt of a democratically-elected President. by Lorna Haynes, vheadline.com Latest News Posted: Friday, January 17, 2003 ¤ Vatican Journal: Oil Drives War Plan ¤ America Didn't Seem to Mind Poison Gas ¤ Blix not worried about found weapons ¤ US 'obstructing aid to Iraq' ¤ What We Are Not Being Told About The Economy ¤ Panic, Shock Grip Bush-Rove Team At 1600 Pennsylvania ¤ US fails to win support of UNSC members on Iraq cut off date ¤ Administration plots huge U.S. role in a new Iraq ¤ Let's make money, not war, say US protesters ¤ The American Right and Its Dance With Ariel Sharon ¤ Israel Steps Up West Bank Arrests Ahead of Poll ¤ Do the Blix ¤ Iraq to sign oil deals with Russian companies ¤ US: case against Iraq within weeks ¤ Anti-Chávez strike backfires ¤ Bush the latest wartime president we can't trust ¤ US scientist arrested over claim of plague vials theft ¤ Locking up refugees will not help the fight against terror ¤ Inspectors discover Iraqi warheads. Will this be the trigger for war? ¤ Iraq still in firing line if weapons not found ¤ US 'not surprised' at UN's chemical warhead find ¤ Right, pro-military big winners in Pakistan by-elections ¤ Food emergency grips Fiji after cyclone leaves 11 dead ¤ US extends registration deadline ¤ Israeli troops demolish 13 houses ¤ Russia flexes diplomatic muscle ¤ 98 more die in South Asia cold spell ¤ Morality of power ¤ The all-American world order ¤ Apologising to George Bush ¤ Who is a friend? Update : Jan. 17, 2003 Posted: Friday, January 17, 2003 U.S. Confident of Constitutional Solution to Venezuela's Current Conflict U.S. State Dept. official says non-constitutional response is "not viable" Washington -- The United States is confident a constitutional solution can be found to the current political impasse between the government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and the political opposition, according to Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon. By Scott Miller, usinfo.state.gov Carter flies in as coup plotter's guest Former US-President Jimmy Carter arrived in Caracas earlier today as the special guest of billionaire coup plotter Gustavo Cisneros. vheadline.com Anti-Chávez strike backfires The opposition in Venezuela is considering easing up on the seven-week-old general strike, amid signs that the civil protests are backfiring. Instead of forcing the downfall of president Hugo Chavez, the stoppages have crippled the economy and disrupted people's lives. As the atmosphere becomes increasingly grim, neighbouring countries have launched a number of initiatives to try to bring the parties closer together. by Edwin Koopman, www.rnw.nl Latest News Posted: Thursday, January 16, 2003 ¤ U.S. Propaganda Pitch Halted ¤ Angry Bush leans on inspectors ¤ Blix warns Iraq : Do more to help weapons inspectors or face war ¤ U.N.: Inspectors find empty warheads in Iraq ¤ Rumsfeld: Lack of evidence could mean Iraq's hiding something ¤ Britain: Train drivers refuse to move supplies for war vs. Iraq ¤ Pyongyang reacts to US threats ¤ BBC confirms al-Jazeera link-up ¤ Chrétien says no change in Canada's policy on Iraq ¤ Belgium to Change Genocide Law, Opens Way for Sharon Trial ¤ US may strike Iraq even without new evidence on WMD ¤ We know what you like, and we know where you live - so please buy our product ¤ Anxiety in US over prospect of Gulf war ¤ Human Rights Watch Slams Israel’s 'Willful, Unlawful' Killings ¤ The (sp)oils of war ¤ Bloodshed unabated in West Bank ¤ 'I'm an ex-marine recruiting human shields' ¤ Iraq does not want war with US, says Saddam ¤ Why Do Chechen Mujahideen Blow Themselves Up ¤ America, Britain Used Atomic Ammunition in Afghanistan ¤ Can Blair really hope to sway Bush? ¤ North Korea rejects possible US aid ¤ Blair warns future generations could be 'haunted' by Iraq ¤ America faces more agonising over race rights ¤ US oil stocks evaporate to 27-year low ¤ Teenage sniper suspect faces execution in US ¤ Defiant pledge as Ecuador's new leader is sworn in ¤ Police killer alleged to be 'key' terror suspect ¤ Suez crisis has haunted British governments for almost 50yrs ¤ Blair warns future generations could be 'haunted' by Iraq ¤ Bush rolls back 30 years of affirmative action ¤ Seven killed in held Kashmir ¤ Washington's fair play: Israel and Iraq ¤ Troops buy own boots for Iraq ¤ White House promises 'smoking gun intelligence' ¤ Drunken Russian soldiers open fire on Chechen bus ¤ Gulf war anniversary evokes bitter memories in Iraq ¤ Drug use soars for troubled American children U.S. and UK encourage Cruise Ships to pull out of TandT Posted: Thursday, January 16, 2003 By NIRAD TEWARIE, www.trinidadexpress.com Two cruise ship companies have pulled out of Trinidad and Tobago because of a possible terrorist threat to their passengers. The two companies, UK-based P&O Cruises and its sister company Princess Cruises, have stopped all visits until further notice citing a report from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office about the possibility of British nationals becoming victims of a terrorist attack while in Trinidad and Tobago. The last time P&O's Oceana visited Port of Spain in November 2002, it brought an estimated 1,950 passengers. William Ferreira, chairman of the Furness Group, local agents for both P&O and Princess, said he received word of the pullout a few days before the Oceana was to have returned to Port of Spain on January 4. When Ferreira contacted P&O's UK office he was told the P&O "were advised by the Commonwealth office in London that because of terrorist threats it was not safe for the vessel to come to Trinidad". In fact, the report on the British Foreign & Commonwealth office website says: "We believe Trinidad and Tobago to be one of a number of countries where there may be an increased terrorist threat." Tidco, the country's tourism agency, has recently been taking steps to "assure present and potential visitors from the UK that there is no terrorist threat in T&T", said Renatta Mohammed, Tidco's corporate communications manager. Mohammed also said the British High Commission in Trinidad has told Tidco officials that "no negative reports concerning Trinidad came from their office". However, Phillip Everest, a press officer at the High Commission, told the Express that the High Commission is part of the process of compiling the report "so we stand by that". Everest said no such warning had been issued for Barbados since there were not "media and other reports" of terrorists threats to British interests in that country. He declined to elaborate. However the same web-site report stated that "most visits to Trinidad and Tobago are trouble-free" while advising "sensible precautions". Contacted for comment, Trade and Industry Minister, Ken Valley said he knew nothing about the cruise ship pullout. Attempts to contact acting Tourism Minister, Joan Yuille-Williams proved futile. The pullout is a major setback in already bad situation. Figures compiled by the Port Authority reveal that this country lost an estimated 22,920 passengers as a result of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States. In addition to port fees, each cruise ship is required to pay the Port US$5 per passenger each time it docks here. The pullout will likely hurt port vendors, taxi drivers and tour operators the most. Tidco and other stakeholders have made representation to both the governments of Trinidad and Tobago and the United Kingdom to have the report amended before the end of the peak season in April. The report also warns that "the standard of driving in Trinidad and Tobago is poor. Road accidents and fatalities are a regular occurrence. Use taxis after dark." Reproduced from: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/top.asp?mylink=2003-01-16%2Ftop%2FCruise%20ships%20pull%20out.htm&mydate=2003-01-16&mypage=top Carter visits Venezuela to "confer" with coup mogul Cisneros Posted: Thursday, January 16, 2003 VHeadline.com Venezuela Former US President Jimmy Carter is in Venezuela as a special guest of shadowy billionaire Gustavo Cisneros on a fishing trip up the Rio Orinoco. The visit comes in the wake of a specious US State Department advisory advising US citizens not to travel to Venezuela because of security risks related to the now 6-week opposition national stoppage, which is showing all signs of petering out completely. Carter is expected to meet Organization of American States (OAS) secretary general Cesar Gaviria next Monday as the latter continues his unsuccessful quest to mediate between the government and anti-constitutional opposition saboteurs. Meanwhile, in related news, Gustavo Cisneros has turned up at the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) in Caracas with a highly-paid legal team from the Diego Cisneros organization to file a writ against President Hugo Chavez Frias claiming defamation in statements made during last Sunday's 'Alo Presidente' broadcast to the nation. Cisneros is also said to be infuriated over the leaking of a 'private' letter he is said to have sent to President Chavez Frias. Update : Jan. 16, 2003 Posted: Thursday, January 16, 2003 Chavez Asks U.N. Chief to Help End Crisis Chavez suggested the "friends" group be widened to include countries such as Russia, France and China, as well as Algeria, which like Venezuela is a member of the oil exporters' cartel OPEC. Chavez has condemned his striking opponents as "fascists, terrorists and coup mongers" and insisted he will not bow to their pressure. He has sent troops to restart strike-hit oil refineries and has threatened to do the same with banks, schools and food manufacturing plants which join the strike. Reuters Chavez: February Referendum 'Impossible' Chavez said any vote on his rule held before August would be unconstitutional, and he is obliged to defend the constitution. By Ian Phillips, AP via Yahoo Chavez tells UN Secretary General Feb 2 referendum illogical and unconstitutional President Hugo Chavez Frias has told United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan that it's illogical to concede to opposition demands for a referendum on February 2 since it would take at least three months to organize a vote anyway, even if it was in accordance with Venezuela's 1999 Constitution ... which it isn't. www.vheadline.com U.S. and UK encourage Cruise Ships to pull out of Trinidad and Tobago The two companies, UK-based P&O Cruises and its sister company Princess Cruises, have stopped all visits until further notice citing a report from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office about the possibility of British nationals becoming victims of a terrorist attack while in Trinidad and Tobago. Is this a reprisal for shipping gasoline to Venezuela? Patrick Manning, the Prime Minister of T&T, told a post-Cabinet news conference that he has called in the British High Commissioner, the United States Ambassador and the Brazilian Ambassador for separate meetings this morning and would make a comprehensive statement in Parliament this afternoon. Carter visits Venezuela to "confer" with coup mogul Cisneros VHeadline.com US Secret Service interrogates Venezuelan in alleged Chavez Frias assassination plot! http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=1354 VHeadline.com reports from New York that 18 Secret Service agents have raided the Queens home of Venezuelan opposition activist Miguel Hernandez following the discovery of a plot to assassinate President Hugo Chavez Frias when he visits UN General Secretary Kofi Annan today. Details of the early-morning raid are sparse but it is believed that the Hernandez premises were searched for drugs and weapons. Agents are said to have taken away evidence for forensic tests. Secret Service special agent Al Jam is quoted as saying that the department has evidence that Hernandez is one of the leaders of the anti-government Venezuelan opposition in New York and further investigations may lead to classification as a terrorist. Latest News Posted: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 ¤ George Ryan and The Making of Death Penalty History ¤ Moon Shadow: The Rev, Bush & North Korea ¤ Reich Re-surfaces Again - This time at the NSC ¤ North Korea's gamble with the United States pays off ¤ Reshaping our Identity ¤ The United States of America has gone mad ¤ The Facts That Put This Whole Mess Into Perspective ¤ Australian government launches "anti-terrorist" advertising campaign ¤ $2.9 billion spent on homeland security IT ¤ Jurist resigns to protest actions against Iraq ¤ U.N. experts visit key Saddam palace ¤ States Reconsider Limits On Law-Abiding Gun Owners ¤ US navy repels Carmen Lawrence and co ¤ Israel closes two Palestinian universities ¤ Israel slowly annexing best land in West Bank: Palestinians ¤ N Korea won't nibble on Washington's carrot ¤ 3 Palestinians Killed by Israeli Security Forces ¤ US Anti-Terror Fight Undermines Human Rights ¤ King's Widow Speaks Out Against War with Iraq ¤ North Korea Threatens New 'Options' ¤ Annan Sees No Reason for Attack on Iraq ¤ U.K. Cop Killed in Counter-Terror Raid ¤ North Korea exposes US duality ¤ A puzzle unravelled ¤ Bush Declares a Sanctity of Life Day ¤ Bush to Saddam: Time's running out ¤ Blair warns Iraq: we have had enough > Following in his masters footsteps ¤ Stick with UN on Iraq, cabinet warns Blair ¤ Mugabe says he will 'never, never go into exile' ¤ Naked aggression's a bummer ¤ Direct talks with US the only way, says Pyongyang ¤ Try again, George: 'axis of evil' is definitely on the turn ¤ A precaution in issuing a tougher, clearer message ¤ Japan could go nuclear in months ¤ Berlin joins with Paris in insisting on new UN resolution before battle ¤ US ignores human rights in fighting terrorism: HRW Update : Jan. 15, 2003 Posted: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 Echoes of the past and the lessons of history Venezuela in 2003 bears an eerie resemblance to the Chile I knew back in 1973. Venezuelan Opposition Softening Demands Scaled Back as Government Is Said to Have Little Reason to Compromise By Scott Wilson, www.washingtonpost.com Venezuela: Courting the Implosion As well known for its venality as its commitment to democracy, Venezuela's middle class long tolerated the corruptocracies alternately fielded by the country's two main and equally tainted political parties. This sector is now staging a crippling strike against populist President Hugo Chávez, aimed not so much at reforming his government, but at bringing it down. By Larry Birns and Matthew Ward, www.coha.org Chavez has the RIGHT to speak as he wishes, to express himself as he wishes It seems to me that Mr. Chavez, even with his "less-educated and disparaging style of speech" is doing more to honor the position of President of the Republic (and thus representative of the true needs and requirements of the people) than any other past President. by Oscar Hech, www.vheadline.com Reich Re-surfaces Again The "What to do with Otto Reich Problem" Temporarily Solved, but the Solution Most Likely will come to Haunt the Administration www.coha.org Venezuela: Courting the Implosion Posted: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 By Larry Birns and Matthew Ward, www.coha.org As well known for its venality as its commitment to democracy, Venezuela's middle class long tolerated the corruptocracies alternately fielded by the country's two main and equally tainted political parties. This sector is now staging a crippling strike against populist President Hugo Chávez, aimed not so much at reforming his government, but at bringing it down. The opposition's latest tactic is concentrated on a constitutional provision that, in fact, was drafted under Chávez, allowing Venezuelans to refuse to recognize any “authority that contradicts democratic values, principles and guarantees or impairs human rights.” But under Chávez, human rights violations have been relatively limited, compared to what they were in Argentina, Chile and Brazil, and few democratic values have been "impaired." Rather, it has been the opposition's end-justifies-the-means philosophy and its importuning the army to carry out its "mission" to overthrow Chávez, which threatens Venezuela's democratic fundamentals, as well as its oil industry. Unquestionably, Chávez has been irritating, insulting, infuriating and confrontational, but arguably, he has adhered to democratic ground rules at least as faithfully as those opposed to his rule, and his failings are as much a matter of style as substance. The president may now be turning the corner in his fight for survival if he can mobilize sufficient fuel and food to satisfy the nation's minimal needs. Nevertheless, if he is ousted in the next few days – which is entirely possible – a far greater blow would be landed on Venezuela's democratic capabilities than on Chávez's personal destiny. For the poor, if overthrown, Chávez eternally will be revered as a leader who, though often not effectively, fought in their name, and not for individual benefit – another Bolivar. For the opposition, its anti-Chávez battering ram has all-too-often been propelled by mendacious arguments defending meretricious goals. It has featured specious ad hoc interpretations of the constitution and hysterical justifications for what essentially has often been its outrageous behavior. It distorts as often as it invents. Its current mission is to asphyxiate the economy by freezing oil output, which is Venezuela's lifeline. This includes refusing to honor the Supreme Court's decision ordering a temporary discontinuation of the nation's debilitating oil strike, in contrast to Chávez's compliance when the court ruled that control of the Caracas police be returned to the Caracas mayor Alfredo Pena's authority, who is one of Chávez's political enemies. The current stand-off between Chávez and the opposition results from the latter's decision, when convenient, to join Chávez in frustrating OAS-sponsored negotiations, while condemning the president and being the main stumbling block. The opposition presents no program, except hatred of Chávez; it only barely is able to contain the craven personal ambition of a number of its highest leaders, including Carlos Fernandez and Carlos Ortega, who see themselves as being presidential. With the crucial help of Venezuela's mainly yellow press, opposition figures distribute sometimes false and always inflammatory interpretations of events. Importantly, it is not only the government that is jeopardizing the lives of Venezuelans by staging frenzied confrontations with militants on the other side; rather, it is the opposition that sedulously promotes class warfare as much as any group, with its slogans, chants and banners. Demonstrably, the opposition's leadership fears the implementation of legislation featuring a modest land reform program in which fallow or excessive holdings could be transferred to small farmers. Currently, 41 percent of the country's arable land is controlled by less than 5% of the population and, according to the UN's Economic Commission for Latin America; Venezuela has one of the hemisphere's highest concentrations of wealth in the fewest hands. Its demographics indicate that about 65 percent of the population lives near or below the poverty line. From this segment comes Chávez's main support base, unlettered loyalists who will not easily return to past injustices or relinquish newly obtained benefits – for example, free meals for their school children. The opposition accuses Chávez of consorting with terrorists, meaning that, like all of his predecessors, he has met with heads of other OPEC nations to discuss the oil cartel's pricing and production. Anti-Chavistas are on par with Miami's Cuban exile community in their virulent anti-Castro demonology, more reminiscent of the Reagan administration's crusade against Moscow than a sophisticated analysis of détente politics. Some of the more compromised leaders of Venezuela's business and labor sectors are on weak moral ground when they threaten to indict Chávez for corruption even though he, unlike some of themselves, has no record of defalcating the public. If there is to be a solution to Venezuela's present governance crisis, it must arise from the constitution, and not be imposed only from the street or a resort to arms. One of the opposition's major sources for its lapses in credibility is its calculated naiveté and its illogicality. It stages a political strike against the oil industry and then bemoans the fact that Chávez has the nerve to try to restore production by bringing in foreign or unlicensed substitute workers to produce and transport oil. It wails over the possibility of an environmental disaster or some costly accident due to relatively untrained replacement personnel, but doesn't face up to the fact that the dangers directly flow from anti-Chavista strategy. The opposition also chronically lashes out at such basic institutions as the “Chávez-controlled” Supreme Court, and then, in passing, cites the court's numerous anti-Chávez rulings that have damaged the president's standing. The same love/hate relationship exists with the constitution. The opposition sees no problem with its contrasting selective indignation or muscular praise – all very well, but this is not the typology of democratic practice. All told, the opposition's current scenario poses a lethal threat to Venezuela's organic institutions, for any non-constitutional solution will fatefully undermine the country's prospects for domestic peace and its precious tradition of political civility, while opening itself up to bitter infighting among the now united, but predictably, soon to be divided, victors, even if Chávez decides to step down. Of course, don't forget the constitutional role of Jose Vicente Rangel, the nation's vice-president, who would automatically replace the president if called upon to do so. There may be a way out for patriotic Venezuelans. The opposition could wait until next August, when the very constitution it selectively touts provides for a binding referendum midway through a presidential term on the incumbency's continued tenure. But what happens if Chávez wins such a ballot? This will almost guarantee that the middle class, as it did in Colombia, will turn to vigilantism against the perceived leftist devils, and the epoch of death squads will be inaugurated. Or, the legislature could call for presidential elections earlier than 2006, even prior to next August. But, if the opposition is to triumph, it must do so lawfully and through the amendment process, and not through political chicanery or economic extortion. As for Chávez, his friends must make him realize that he is partially to blame for failing his nation and his revolution. His excesses, indiscretions and immaturity have helped to make enemies out of former friends, and have jeopardized the enactment of the wonderful vision he had for a better, more democratic Venezuela. It may not be too late, but from this moment onward, his conduct must be tempered by the wisdom and perspective he has thus far failed to exhibit. To begin with, he must come to believe that thousands of the people who have taken to the streets to demonstrate against his rule are worthy Venezuelans, capable of being assets rather than merely fulminating foes. Give these people a chance. Settling matters by scorching Venezuela's basic institutions recalls Allende's Chile in 1973. There, imprudent Christian Democrats solicited the military to rid the country of its constitutional president in order to bring on their own anticipated rule, but instead they got 17 years of brutal repression. Larry Birns is the director of the Washington-based Council on Hemispheric Affairs, where Matthew Ward is a Research Fellow. George Ryan And The Making Of Death Penalty History Posted: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 by Shelagh Simmons* On Saturday, 11 January 2003, death penalty history was made when outgoing Governor of the State of Illinois, George Ryan, announced that he was commuting all death sentences in his state. At a stroke, his action reprieved more than 160 men and women, and for most replaced death with life imprisonment without parole (LWOP). The previous day, Governor Ryan had pardoned 4 condemned men, 3 of whom were released immediately on the grounds of their likely innocence. The three all had credible evidence that the confessions upon which they were convicted were obtained by the police via the use of torture. George Ryan does not fit the profile of a political liberal. Far from it. A diehard Republican, who voted for the 1977 restoration of capital punishment, he carried on supporting it. When he was elected Governor of Illinois in late 1998, there was every reason to suppose that executions would continue. Indeed, he signed one death warrant and oversaw the execution. So what happened? In George Ryan's own words, he "never intended to be an activist on this issue". But "I watched in surprise as freed death row inmate Anthony Porter was released from jail. Porter was 48 hours away from being wheeled into the execution chamber where the state would kill him. It would all be so antiseptic and most of us would not have even paused, except that Anthony Porter was innocent of the double murder for which he had been condemned to die". African-American Anthony Porter, a gang member from the poverty-stricken Chicago housing projects, had been sentenced to death in September 1983. He had exhausted all his appeals. His family was resigned to his forthcoming death and had even made his funeral arrangements. Then he was granted a stay of execution. It was granted not because it was feared he might be innocent, but because he had scored so low on an IQ test that the court could not be certain the requirement would be met that he should understand he was about to be executed, and why. The stay gave time for University Professor David Protess and a group of journalism students to investigate the case. They discovered a record of incompetent legal representation. They tracked down the witness who claimed to have seen Mr Porter commit the murders. The witness admitted he had lied, and said he had done so under police pressure. The real perpetrator was found and later confessed. Having been sentenced to death in 1983, Anthony Porter was finally freed nearly 17 years later in February 1999. But what shocked George Ryan even more was the fact that Mr Porter's release brought the number of exonerated death row inmates to 13. That number exceeded the 12 executions carried out since 1977. After having a prolonged study of the administration of the death penalty in Illinois conducted, Governor Ryan concluded that the system could not be fixed and guaranteed free from error. In the final months and weeks of his Governorship, George Ryan received many appeals for blanket clemency. They came from activists within the United States such as the Rev Jesse Jackson and Sister Helen Prejean. And they came from around the world, from abolitionist groups like Caribbean Justice, and from individuals including former South African President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who told him that "to take a life when a life has been lost is revenge, it is not justice". An appeal was also sent on the Pope's behalf from the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. Governor Ryan also received equal pressure from opponents of commutations, including families of murder victims. But in an historic speech on 11 January, George Ryan explained that he was granting blanket clemency "because the Illinois death penalty system is arbitrary and capricious - and therefore immoral". Then, echoing former Supreme Court Judge Harry Blackmun's famous quote from 1994, he declared "I no longer shall tinker with the machinery of death". He said he had agonised over what to do, and spoke of the pain he knew his decision would cause the families of murder victims, who wanted the executions to proceed believing it would bring closure. But he asked "Is that the purpose of capital punishment? Is it to soothe the families? And is that truly what the families experience?". He went on "What kind of victims services are we providing? Are all of our resources geared toward providing this notion of closure by execution instead of tending to the physical and social service needs of victim families? And what kind of values are we instilling in these wounded families and in the young people? As Gandhi said, an eye for an eye only leaves the whole world blind". Governor Ryan's announcement was greeted with joy and anger. Joy from the families of those exonerated who had lived with the fear that their innocent relatives would be executed, and from the families of those whose sentences were commuted. Anger from the families of some murder victims, though one observed that at least the decision had ended the "roller coaster" of emotion and brought the matter to an end. Anger from politicians. Anger from prosecutors. And that anger highlights one of the worst effects of judicial killing. It promotes a culture of violence in which anything other than death is not considered punishment, and in which victims' families feel cheated if death is not the final outcome. It promotes a culture in which those murder victims' families who oppose capital punishment are left isolated because everything is geared up to death. Indeed, they have even been accused by death penalty supporters of moral cowardice, and have been excluded from participating in the criminal justice system in the way that those who favour the death penalty have not. Yet those whose sentences were commuted to LWOP will never be released, so the guilty will be punished while the danger of executing an innocent person will be eliminated. For his actions George Ryan has been vilified by some. By others he is considered a hero who should receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Cynics may say he was not standing for re-election so had nothing politically to lose. We believe he was simply doing what was right. It is difficult to predict what the repercussions of Governor Ryan's decision will be. But whatever they are, we welcome his act of justice and humanity, and are certain history will judge him kindly. This momentous event in death penalty history has just been followed by an announcement from the newly democratically elected Kenyan government that it wants to join the majority of countries in the world and abolish the death penalty within the next 6 months. Welcoming the news of the Illinois commutations, Kenya's Justice Minister Kiraitu Murungi expressed surprise "that any country with such a civilised legal system like the United States still maintains this penalty in its statue books". Acknowledging there is still support for capital punishment in Kenya, he said it was nevertheless wrong. In a world where political expediency and the death penalty are usually inextricably linked, this is a refreshing departure. As the debate on the use of hanging in the Caribbean rages on, the political leaders advocating state killing should ask themselves if the judicial systems of the region possess the safeguards required for the irreversible act of taking a human life. Of course, they will reassure that the police and courts are adequate to the task. While there are excellent jurists in the Caribbean, any simple examination of the system will reveal endless delays, confessions used in court that were extracted via torture, a lack of skill and resources in the area of forensic science, inadequate provision of defence lawyers and so on. The system is every bit as bad as that in Illinois, if not worse. It is time for the political leaders of the Caribbean to stop manipulating the understandable anger caused by violent crime. The death penalty is not the answer and will not reduce the murder rate. The governments of the region should follow the brave and principled example of their counterparts in Kenya, Chile, Russia, South Africa and many other nations. The political leaders of these countries have (or have announced their intention to) abolished capital punishment. For as Dr Martin Luther King Jr noted "Cowardice asks the question, "Is it safe?". Expediency asks the question, "Is it politic?". Vanity asks the question, "Is it popular?". But, conscience asks the question, "Is it right?". And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because one's conscience tells one that it is right." Shelagh Simmons Co-ordinator Caribbean Justice PO Box 216 Southsea Hampshire PO4 9YW England Tel/Fax: +44 (0)23 9275 6730 Reich Re-surfaces Again - This time at the NSC Posted: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 This analysis was prepared by Larry Birns, director of COHA, and David Isacovici and Thomas Gorman, research associates.www.coha.org The "What to do with Otto Reich Problem" Temporarily Solved, but the Solution Most Likely will come to Haunt the Administration Turf battle between the State Department and National Security Council over Latin America policy is in the offing now that Reich has been installed in the NSC Noriega is woefully ill-equipped to replace Reich, who was woefully unprepared to have been given his former State Department position in the first place By buying into the Helms-Reich-Noriega ideological template, the Administration proves that it is incapable of making first-class appointments to staff its key Latin America posts The Iran-Contra Alumni Association Riding High Reich Itching to get his hands on Chávez On January 9, word came from the White House that President Bush had named Otto J. Reich, who formerly had held a recess appointment allowing him to serve as Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs only through last November, to be his "Presidential Special Envoy" for Latin America. Reich will be based at the National Security Council (NSC), where he will officially report to NSC head Condoleezza Rice. Reich assumes his new post only after declining two other positions because he considered them a step down (according to the Washington Post): that of U.S. Human Rights representative to the U.N. in Geneva, and Senior Director for Democracy and Human Rights at the National Security Council, a post that had just been vacated by Eliot Abrams, his kindred right-wing ideologue and fellow Iran-Contra chum. Abrams also had served as an Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs until he pleaded guilty to committing perjury by giving false testimony before the U.S. Congress. Also, now on the Bush team is discredited Admiral John Poindexter, who confessed to perjury charges over the Iran-Contra scandal. Slipping Through the Back Door Reich's new job does not require Senate confirmation, which was a key consideration behind his appointment in the first place. This was because it was all but certain that he would have found it impossible to obtain a favorable Senate vote to resume heading the inter-American bureau, even though the upper-house is now controlled by the Republicans. In fact it had been questionable whether Reich could even have obtained a confirmation hearing in the first place, until the new chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), pledged to the administration that he would extend it the courtesy and at least consider Reich. But the administration was well aware of the strong anti-Reich tide on the hill, including Lugar's opposition. There is almost as much of a chill among Republicans as Democrats over Reich being given such a senior post, because of his questionable conduct during the Iran-Contra epoch, and his tarnished record of masterminding false allegations against Cuba for which there was no evidence or were patently contrived. These allegations include charges that Cuba was restarting its bio-weaponry programs and had not cooperated with Washington's anti-terrorism initiatives. The source of Reich's aberrant behavior is his obsessive hatred of Fidel Castro; it seems Reich will always view Latin American issues through a Havana prism. It is this distortion in perspective and his legendary untrustworthiness that has rendered Reich dysfunctional as an administrator and policymaker. At the NSC, Reich's responsibilities would include coordination of "long-term policy initiatives" and strategizing for the advancement of U.S. goals in the hemisphere. These obligations ostensibly would include "fostering and strengthening democratic institutions, promoting and defending human rights, advancing free trade and economic development and poverty alleviation." The custom-tailored position created for Reich – due to the abiding problems he faced with the Senate – in reality represents an homage to the influence of Miami's powerful right-wing Cuban-exile leadership. These politically well-connected individuals were adamant that Reich – who otherwise was perceived as a liability by political Washington – as well as the Miami-Cuban community would be insulted by his being given a position beneath his station. This battle was being waged at a time when the administration was under great pressure for paying too little attention to Latin America, and that its hemispheric policy was seen as being in disarray and operating in a vacuum. Reich's Abrasive Personality a Factor Last November, when his recess State Department appointment had come to an end, Reich had been moved out of his position as assistant secretary to the somewhat nebulous post of "Special Envoy" for Latin America, a position whose responsibility was so vague that not even the State Department chief press officer could explain it. His earlier position at the State Department came as a last gasp White House recess appointment, since the administration was unable to force his nomination through the then Democrat-controlled Senate or even have it scheduled to be considered. At the time, the then chairman of the Senate Western Hemisphere Affairs Sub-Committee, Senator Christopher Dodd (D- CT), urged President Bush to reconsider his decision to appoint Reich, describing the nominee as an "individual who does not have the support of the United States Senate." The factors which led to Reich's original downfall were mainly his ideological extremism and his character flaws including a very abrasive personality, having a hard time adhering to the truth, a propensity for hysteria, self-preservation and skirting the boundary of illegality, as was the case when he was the director of the Office of Public Diplomacy during the Reagan presidency. In addition, he is well known for possessing a deeply embedded persecution complex that, at various stages of his embattled career, repeatedly had him whining at his opponents as he called upon the right-wing media, like the editorial pages of the Wall Street Journal, or syndicated journalists like Robert Novak, to salvage his political neck. He also repeatedly mobilized Miami-Cuban hard-line politicians, such as Reps. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, and Illeana Ros-Lehtinien, to intercede on his behalf with the White House. These tendencies are as present today as they have been throughout his career and it is a near certainty that in very short order they again will come to plague the Bush administration. However, the White House's ability to finally craft a slot for Reich will allow it to salvage, at least for the moment, the backing of Miami's hard-line Cubans, who have viewed the State Department's seeming indifference to Reich's political fate as a personal affront to all Cuban-Americans. Likelihood of Inter-Agency Strife In practice, the new position at the National Security Council could either be a consummate example of feather-bedding, a sinecure for Reich, whose creative comforts are never far from his thinking. If not, his presence at the NSC could be even more threatening to sound principles of regional policymaking than was the case when he was at the State Department. By reporting to NSC director Rice, theoretically he should be working mainly on long term desiderata for regional policy making, as well as general guidelines for new initiatives. Given the traditional ground-rules guiding the NSC's functions, Reich is not suppose to be as much operational as research and planning-oriented in his new post. Additionally, he will have to coordinate his work with John F. Maisto, a moderate career Foreign Service officer who, before coming to the NSC, had served (as had Reich), as ambassador to Venezuela, where he developed a reputation for being a centrist. Maisto will be assuming the post of senior director of Western Hemisphere Affairs on January 22. Because of the incendiary nature of Reich's personality, his long history of skulduggery and a penchant for intrigue, those who are familiar with his career fear that in his new position, he will inevitably chafe at his relatively low-profile NSC duties and begin to recall the hundreds of thousands of dollars he earned yearly from being a weapons salesman for Lockheed-Martin and lobbying for the venomously anti-Castro Bacardi company, formerly based in Cuba. Sooner than later, Reich can be counted on to begin initiating a barrage of phone calls to fellow Cuban exile operatives, as well as to the press, while putting pressure on the weak-willed and fellow ideologue Roger Noriega, who will be succeeding him at his old State Department position. This scenario inevitability will lead to tensions between the State and NSC, since Reich will think nothing of poaching on both Maisto's and Noriega's decision-making prerogatives. This in turn could lead to jurisdictional confrontations between the two foreign policy-related bodies, which have had a strife-ridden history and have waged monumental turf wars for much of the period since the founding of the NSC after World War II. Roger Noriega – More Headaches in the Office The person who will be replacing Reich as Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs is Roger F. Noriega, whose background suggests that in both style and content he comes alarmingly close to being a warmed-over Reich, but with less exposure, skills and heft, and an equal predilection for invention and anti-Castro zealotry as well as being a Cold Warrior looking for a cause. Since August 2001, Noriega has occupied the post of Permanent U.S. Representative to the Organization of American States, where he half-heartedly read all of the statements drafted by the State Department speech writers. Prior to that, he was a staff member for Latin American issues for the recently retired Sen. Jesse Helms ( R – NC), when that archly right-wing Senator served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, during a period when he held an iron grip over U.S.-Latin American policy. Noriega should be regarded as a grossly inappropriate candidate for the position for which he is being nominated. He should, and quite possibly could, have as much difficulty as Reich had in getting himself confirmed by the Senate. Given Helms' tendencies towards the end of his career to hand off day-to-day responsibility for policy-making to different members of his staff, there is every indication that Noriega was complicit in authoring many of the most extremist and off-the-wall actions affecting U.S. – Latin American policy that were initiated by Helms at the time. These included the freezing of some ambassadorial appointments that were personally opposed by Helms during the Clinton presidency, while lending support to the Clinton Administration's policy of economic asphyxiation towards Haiti. It is still unclear however, if Noriega can win quick Senate approval, since many see his extremist points of view relating, for example, to Haiti and Cuba, as all but indistinguishable from Reich's. A number of senators from both political parties are known to believe that Noriega's background is that of a wheedler and that he lacks the vision, the class, the experience, the intelligence and the administrative capacity to run a large diplomatic operation like the Bureau of Inter-American affairs. The fact that he was nominated for such an elevated position is a clear indication of the poverty of imagination of the State Department's Latin American policy under Secretary Powell, and how open it is to political manipulation. Despite being in control of the Senate, some Republicans, including the new chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Richard G. Lugar (R – IN), already have expressed their unhappiness over the Noriega nomination. Lugar, a moderate, has said that as chairman, he will look for a tone of independence and bipartisanship, and that he is willing to prod the administration, or even differ from it, on important issues. He is already close to, and is likely to continue to be an ally of Secretary of State Colin Powell, who himself, on occasion, has clashed with the tendency of some senior officials in the Bush administration to use hardball tactics and the militarization of policy, instead of relying on diplomacy, in a misguided effort to advance non-authentic U.S. interests. But there is little evidence that Powell is prepared to focus long enough on Latin American policy-making in order to challenge the farming out of hemispheric policy to outrageously inappropriate right-wing ideologues like Reich and now Noriega. Certainly, this type of approach can be better described as a squalid rather than as a principled approach to sound regional policymaking. Venezuela on its Mind It comes as no surprise that the president's reorganization of his senior Latin America team coincides with the administration's decision to become involved in the political conflict engulfing Venezuela, along with such top-priority regional issues as immigration and democratization. The middle-class-led general strike against the Chávez presidency, which now includes the walk-out of over 30 thousand workers from the state-owned oil company, PDVSA, has virtually paralyzed the country's production and export of petroleum. Since the U.S. normally imports 1.5 million barrels a day of Venezuelan crude (15 percent of its oil imports), a prolongation of the general strike in that country would be detrimental to the U.S. economy, especially at a time when war with Iraq seems on the horizon. The Bush administration, after weeks of welcomed inaction (given its normal interventionist tendencies), now feels that it has to play catch-up ball by any means possible in order to reach a quick resolution to the increasingly dangerous civic strife engulfing Venezuela. Most likely, this will involve coordinated action with Brazil and other regional nations as well as the OAS, to try to quickly resolve Venezuela's longstanding general strike, which has wrought catastrophic economic damage. It also means that Washington, along with OPEC, will attempt to stave off a dramatic increase in the price of oil, which could have a negative impact on the Bush administration's politically all-important economic recovery prospects. A Bitter Heritage Washington can ill-afford losing any time by wrangling with its Latin American sister nations – many of which, unlike the U.S., are pro-Chávez – as would certainly be the case if Reich were in a position to insert himself, as a former ambassador to Venezuela, into the diplomatic play surrounding the outcome of the current confrontation in Caracas. There is no question that, despite the subterfuge he retroactively engaged in, Reich ostensibly distanced himself and covered his foot prints from last April's coup, which briefly toppled Chávez from the presidency. Reich took a direct, personal and supervisory interest and quietly backed the coup through financing from the National Endowment for Democracy, the White House's semi-covert funding source for black box operations. If he again becomes operational in affecting U.S. security interests in the region, he could prove disastrous to regional stability and to prospects for an early peace in Venezuela. Elsewhere in the hemisphere, Washington is trying to boost its leverage as co-host for the upcoming FTAA talks. In order to gain bargaining power, the Bush administration has set out to court regional countries by outlining bilateral and multilateral trade terms aimed at integrating their economies with that of the U.S. As 2005 (the proposed inauguration date of the FTAA) approaches, U.S. trade officials are working at an accelerated pace to meet that deadline with their priorities in order. To achieve its goals, however, Washington will have to work carefully not to offend Latin American countries, mainly Brazil, which, due to its increased stature, will be assuming Mexico's former position as the region's interlocutor with the U.S. This change is a result of former Mexican foreign minister Jorge Casteñeda discrediting the Fox administration by transforming Mexico's traditionally independent foreign policy into being the Bush administration's bag man for its Reich-driven anti-Havana policy. The Council on Hemispheric Affairs, founded in 1975, is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan, tax-exempt research and information organization. It has been described on the Senate floor as being "one of the nation's most respected bodies of scholars and policy makers." For more information, please see our web page at www.coha.org; or contact our Washington offices by phone (202) 216-9261, fax (202) 223-6035, or email coha@coha.org. Latest News Posted: Tuesday, January 14, 2003 ¤ US offers new aid to ease stand-off with North Korea ¤ 6 Iraqis wounded in US, UK air strike: Baghdad ¤ Time Running Out for Iraq, Bush Says ¤ 115 Palestinians youths killed by soldiers in 2002 ¤ Bush set to break silence in race case ¤ US 'inciting global rights abuse' ¤ Elusive foes frustrate GIs in Afghanistan ¤ The Afghan job is bigger than expected ¤ Labour rejects Sharon coalition ¤ Blix to Iraq: Give Evidence or Face War ¤ WHAT NUKES? ¤ Iraq "Far Away" From Owning Nuclear Bomb: Elbaradei ¤ Italians alarmed at discovery of huge US munitions base ¤ US Team Stationed In Israel Ahead of Possible Iraqi War ¤ Baghdad ready to answer any question asked ¤ Bush Approval Drops Below 60% for First Time Since 9/11 ¤ 5 Reasons to Stop US Military Aid to Israel ¤ S. Africa to launch probe into $1.5 million loan by Kern to Sharon ¤ Hamas says it received RPG launchers Sharon's Boys ¤ Britain: Foreign secretary admits oil central to war vs. Iraq ¤ INS Special Registration: illegal and unconstitutional ¤ Javier Solana warns on crisis between Europe and the U.S. ¤ US looks poised to turn words into action on GM crops ¤ There Is No Sanity Left In British Journalism ¤ Palestinians defy London talks ban ¤ U.K.'s Blair Makes No Promises on Iraq ¤ Troop build-up worrying, says Blix ¤ Saudis lead bid to head off attack on Saddam ¤ Italians alarmed at discovery of huge US munitions base ¤ Six wounded in US-UK raid on Iraq ¤ U.N. Inspectors: Need More Time in Iraq ¤ Defiant Blair says UN has no veto on war ¤ The Sketch: Are we going in? The PM replies with his weapons of mass obfuscation ¤ Another day, another study in masterful ambiguity from the British Prime Minister ¤ Reports of Mugabe quitting dismissed as 'wishful thinking' ¤ Iraq weapons inspectors widen search ¤ US offers talks to resolve N Korea nuclear crisis ¤ It's time to pack FBI off to US ¤ Iraq inspections need at least six months: IAEA spokesman ¤ 10 killed in held Valley ¤ Two Palestinians shot dead in Gaza Update : Jan. 14, 2003 Posted: Tuesday, January 14, 2003 NY Times Reporter Quits Over Conflict of Interest Venezuela Misdeeds Adding Up on 43rd Street - By Al Giordano, Narco News Bulletin Annan Urges Venezuelans to End Impasse Lawfully UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Tuesday urged Venezuelans reeling from a crippling strike to use only lawful means to resolve their differences and said he wanted to help calm the situation. "I will be seeing President Hugo Chavez here on Thursday ... and I hope to be able to discuss with him the developments in Venezuela, and how one can intensify the mediation efforts, to calm the situation and return it to normalcy," Annan said. reuters.com Chavez to meet Annan in New York Venezuela announced plans yesterday for President Hugo Chavez to travel to New York to meet with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan amid international efforts to end a crippling nationwide strike. Mr. Chavez's trip on Thursday coincides with U.S. efforts to bring international pressure on him to accept early elections By Tom Carter, THE WASHINGTON TIMES Observe the silly spin in this report. "Venezuela announced plans for President Chavez to Travel". Off course we know that Venezuela, a country, cannot announce anything. They are trying to imply that there is someone over Chavez making decisions for him. We know the U.S./Bush administration supports the overthrow the democratically elected President of Venezuela but to say that the trip "coincides with U.S. efforts to bring international pressure on him to accept early elections" is also trying to sell the idea that the trip is about discussing his resignation or early elections. Is this the new/old U.S. Preemptive Propaganda? - Ayinde UN Secretary General Kofi Annan tells Venezuelan rebels to respect the Constitution Speaking during a press conference at UN HQ in New York, UN General Secretary Kofi Annan said that those who want change in Venezuela should respect the Constitution and work within the framework of Democracy which has been won with difficulty throughout Latin America. Annan said that he has viewed what's happening in Venezuela with growing concern. Vheadline.com Latest News Posted: Monday, January 13, 2003 ¤ U.S. Strikes Iraq Anti-Ship Missile Site ¤ Saudi Arabia to Ask Arabs to Reject Attack on Iraq ¤ Israel Kills 10 Palestinians, Including 2 Teenagers, in one Day ¤ Upset by Israeli Challenger Possible ¤ A Bigger Scandal: Illegal U.S. Funding of Sharon's Likud ¤ Who's Bush going to war with? The poor ¤ A 'useless' US military ¤ Bushwhacked ¤ Blair promises to seek UN backing on Iraq ¤ Hamas consider kidnapping Israelis Sharon's Hamas? ¤ U.S. Quest for Oil in Africa Worries Analysts, Activists ¤ Democracy or Corporations? Meditations from Chomsky ¤ 3,000 Year Old Advice Fits America Like a Glove ¤ 8 Russians killed in Chechnya ¤ Iraq weapons inspectors 'need a few months' ¤ UN weapons inspectors in fresh clash with Americans ¤ We will not rush to war, says Blair ¤ US reaches out to N Korea ¤ White House split over North Korea ¤ Chilli talks try to take heat out of North Korea crisis ¤ Gambia arrests assassination suspect ¤ US surveys Turkey's military sites ¤ Sharon says Labour is 'the party of Arafat' ¤ Polls show Sharon's credibility collapsing ¤ Gabriel Kolko: The perils of Pax Americana ¤ There's no such thing as a moral oil war ¤ Royals rig up bunkers ¤ Our wartime paranoia has a long and ignoble history ¤ 11 killed in Israeli-Palestinian bloodshed ¤ Two women killed in Moscow grenade blast ¤ Even the mega power needs friends ¤ Australian PM urged to look to North Korea before Iraq ¤ North Korea warns of 'sea of fire' as US envoy arrives ¤ US tries to douse Pyongyang's fire ¤ Bushwhacked ¤ Israelis kill boys in missile blunder ¤ Who's Bush going to war with? The poor ¤ Galtieri, Argentine who seized Falklands, dies Update : Jan. 13, 2003 Posted: Monday, January 13, 2003 Venezuela's very own Tweedledum & Tweedledee flee to USA to take terrorist curtain call Routed Fedecamaras and CTV rebels Carlos Fernandez and Carlos Ortega are flying to New York to take part in a breakfast meeting, while millions of Venezuelans are left behind unable to buy even basic necessities with wages that have been denied them in the now 5-week lockout seeking to depose the legitimate government of Venezuela. www.Vheadline.com Democracy or Corporations? Meditations from Chomsky Posted: Monday, January 13, 2003 By CARL ESTABROOK There's not much place for democracy in modern America. What elements of democracy exist are trammeled up by corporate control. It's even more true now than it was when American philosopher John Dewey observed eighty years ago that "politics is the shadow cast on society by big business" -- and therefore "attenuation of the shadow will not change the substance." Dewey meant that political reforms don't make much difference if business domination remains in place. "Power today," he wrote, "resides in control of the means of production, exchange, publicity, transportation and communication. Whoever owns them rules the life of the country, even if democratic forms remain. Business for private profit through private control of banking, land, industry reinforced by command of the press, press agents and other means of publicity and propaganda, that is the system of actual power, the source of coercion and control, and until it's unravelled we can't talk seriously about democracy and freedom." Democracy and capitalism are of course contradictory, because democracy is egalitarian and capitalism depends upon inequality. Democracy means one person/one vote, as even the Supreme Court recognizes in theory, while capitalism requires a majority who must rent their talents of head or hands to another (much smaller) group who are said to have a peculiar relationship ("ownership") to the fields and factories necessary to produce food, shelter, and whatever other commodities they wish. The history of democracy is that it is always opposed by political and economic structures designed "to protect the minority of the opulent against the majority" -- the goal of the US Constitution, according to its principal author. We have the forms of political democracy in this country, if rarely the substance. But we don't have even the forms of economic democracy. Crucial economic decisions, such as what society should make or build, and consequently what jobs are available, are in the "private" hands of the boards of directors of major corporations. We take this undemocratic control for granted, with the thought that there is no other way. "The 20th century has been characterized by three developments of great political importance," wrote Alex Carey, "the growth of democracy, the growth of corporate power, and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of protecting corporate power against democracy." In the US each year more than a *trillion* dollars (almost 20% of the total worth of goods and services produced in the country) is spent in a quite conscious campaign (called "marketing") to teach you that you should be a docile employee (or student, sort of a trainee employee) and an isolated consumer, sitting by yourself in front of the TV or computer screen, except when you're at work (when you might do the same thing); that it's probably a little dangerous to have much to do with those around you (except when you're out establishing your own rather exploitative "relationships"); and that in fact no other way to live is possible. A now-forgotten German social scientist remarked at the dawn of the capitalist age, "According to Adam Smith, society is a commercial enterprise. Every one of its members is a salesman. It is evident how political economy establishes an alienated form of social intercourse as the true and original form and that which corresponds to human nature." The subtle but quite effective limitations on democracy were brought home to me in the recent election campaign, in which I was the Green party candidate for Congress in Illinois' 15th district. What was perhaps most surprising was the unstated but common assumption that I was somehow trespassing -- invading territory that by rights belonged to political professionals, Republicans and Democrats -- no others need apply. It was as though I had set out to practice medicine without a license. People working hard to overcome Illinois' prohibitive requirements for signed petitions for a third party to get on the ballot, were told to leave property public and private. ("You can't do that here!") Media outlets that formerly employed me suddenly seemed to think that it was wrong ("unfair") to do so. I could apparently talk and write about politics all I wanted -- on the condition that I not try to do anything about it, such as run for office. Democracy means that you have a chance to get together with others on an equal basis (not just as an audience), get the information you need, and take decisions that actually change things. To pull a lever every two or four years (or even less frequently) for one or the other of two carefully pre-selected candidates is not democracy. Suppose one wanted to vote against the Bush administration's murderous intentions towards Iraq in this election just past -- whom did one vote for? Both self-described major parties supported the war. "America has a one party system," asserted the late African leader Julius Nyerere. "With your usual exuberance, you have two of them," he said, perhaps over-generously. Carl Estabrook teaches at the University of Illinois. He ran for congress last year on the Green Party ticket. He can be reached at: galliher@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu Latest News Posted: Sunday, January 12, 2003 ¤ Sharon Accuses Arafat of Meddling in Election > Setting the stage to declare the election results invalid, are we Ariel? ¤ US terror war in Afghan, Iraq brews unrest in Pak ¤ Arab League chief says Iraq war a "Pandora's Box" ¤ Sharon's TV blackout complaint rejected ¤ Israel Raids Gaza Strip Town and Camp > Remember Sharon needs the violence to continue as part of his election campaign. ¤ Americans oppose Iraq war without U.N., poll says ¤ Iraq scoffs at calls for proactive co-operation with UN inspectors > "What, you want us to build a weapon real quick so that Bush doesn't look like an idiot?" ¤ U.S Orders Troops to Gulf; Europe Hesitant on War ¤ Moroccans march against Iraq war ¤ Saudi crown prince says sees no war on Iraq ¤ Two Things Linger in Cuba: Fidel and a Pointless Embargo ¤ Israeli gunships 'kill Palestinian youths' ¤ Thousands join LA anti-war rally ¤ N. Korea denies disclosing nuclear program to U.S. ¤ Out of Africa? Not Yet. These Are the French. ¤ Shady deals bring Israel's Bulldozer close to defeat ¤ Turkey Inmate Starves to Death in Protest ¤ North Korea threatens to resume missile tests ¤ Hawks sit out phoney peace while war machine rolls on ¤ Al-Qaeda - a meaningless label ¤ Israeli at US loan talks is implicated in massacre ¤ Back away from war, Labour warns Blair ¤ Will we? Won't we? End the confusion over war in Iraq ¤ Labour faithful voice opposition to Iraq war ¤ Bush steps back from early strike on Iraq ¤ N Korea threatens to resume missile tests ¤ 11 killed as UK lawmakers arrive in held Kashmir ¤ A travel ban that makes no sense ¤ 'Thousands will quit Labour' over Iraq war ¤ Tell us where to look for weapons, UN asks ¤ US governor spares 156 death row inmates Update : Jan. 12, 2003 Posted: Sunday, January 12, 2003 Venezuela is run by the same breed of white Europeans Blessings Senor Coronel: The statement you made about you being 70 and not seeing any racial hatred in Venezuela is true to you, but it is there. I am Venezuelan, white. It is there. Who cooks your food, who cleans you floors, who picks your cacao, who builds your roads? Who is your slave, the negro 'Mono' (monkey)! - Edmundo Roa, www.Vheadline.com Spinners of Venezuelan Fairy Tales An Open Letter to All Things Considered I was disappointed to learn, upon hearing Gerry Hadden's most recent dispatch from Venezuela, that NPR is not immune to the widespread journalistic trend of selectively parrotting spin and innuendo, so that news reports become repositories of suggestion rather than facts. - By Brad Carlton Spinners of Venezuelan Fairy Tales Posted: Sunday, January 12, 2003 An Open Letter to All Things Considered By BRAD CARLTON I was disappointed to learn, upon hearing Gerry Hadden's most recent dispatch from Venezuela, that NPR is not immune to the widespread journalistic trend of selectively parrotting spin and innuendo, so that news reports become repositories of suggestion rather than facts. Venezuela in particular has suffered mightily from such irresponsible reporting, as I learned firsthand in Caracas last summer while interviewing high-level U.S. embassy personnel, Venezuelan government ministers, opposition leaders, Bolivarian Circle members, proud escualidos, and legions of civilians from all walks of life. Hadden provides almost no context, few facts, and little rebuttal to offset the charges his sources level against the Venezuelan government. He presents the opposition's argument that "Chavez's attempt to wrest control of the police force [Policia Metropolitana, or PM] from an opposition mayor this month goes to the heart of why they distrust the president... [and] shows that Chavez is a dictator-in-the-making." Yet Hadden is silent about the PM's use of force against civilian protests in recent weeks, killing four and wounding dozens, that prompted the takeover. Nor does he find the more than 40 people killed by the PM during civil disturbances following Chavez's brief ouster worth mentioning. As for the characterization of Chavez as a dictator, Hadden should have called on one of Chavez's ministers or supporters to respond to such serious libel, or he might have pointed out that there are no political prisoners in Venezuela, but instead he lets the "dictator" comment stand unchallenged. This is insulting to the billions of people who have lived, died, and "disappeared" under true dictatorships, where people are stripped of due process, freedom of association, and electoral power, and where dissent--which flourishes in Venezuela--is illegal. Hadden even underscores the opposition's allegations with his own pejorative interjections that "left-leaning" Chavez "forged close ties with Cuba's Fidel Castro." Listeners are left with the impression that Chavez is a Castro-styled communist, which is flat wrong. His government's relations with Cuba do not make him a communist any more than France's relations with Iraq make it a totalitarian regime. Particularly deceptive is Hadden's allusion to a Chavez law "that allows for the expropriation of private property in some circumstances," without mentioning what those circumstances are. The Land Reform law provides for expropriation with compensation of idle farmlands, as well as arable lands exceeding 12,350 acres in areas of poor soil (350 acres in areas of rich soil), to be redistributed to landless workers. It is also important to note (though Hadden doesn't) that in the 1960's big landowners and ranchers expanded their fences to expropriate most of the state-owned marshlands the government intended for redistribution. Current stats on land concentration are appalling: One percent of farms account for 46% of farmland, one percent of the population owns 60% of arable lands, and 40% of all Venezuelan farmlands lie fallow. As a result, Venezuela is agronomically undiversified and chronically dependent on oil and imports, while the urban population has exploded, causing crime, unemployment, and pollution rates to soar. Even the middle-class Chavez foes I spoke to said the need for land reform is a no-brainer. Does this make them Castro-communists? The mere suggestion is ludicrous. Hadden would likely respond that he didn't have enough airtime to discuss the law's particulars. Fine, but why not couple the word "expropriation" with "idle farmland"--both concise and precise--instead of the buzzwords "private property," unless he specifically intends to associate Chavez with communistic distribution of wealth? To reinforce that insinuation, Hadden must have looked long and hard to find a pro-government supporter spewing classical Marxist rhetoric and referring to allies as "comrades." This is not at all representative; I spoke to dozens of Chavez supporters, and none of them defined their politics in these terms (references to the oligarquia notwithstanding). In fact, the real story is that el proceso, the movement that swept Chavez to power, is the embryonic manifestation of a new political philosophy in which economic and institutional power is dominated by neither the state nor big business interests, but instead is decentralized and directly influenced through public, participatory processes. Like it or not, el proceso is gaining strength and captivating the imaginations of people all across Latin America, especially in Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, and Bolivia. To define the terms of the Venezuelan debate in traditional free market vs. leftist-Marxist terms, as Hadden does, is as reductive as it is disingenuous. Hadden is correct to point out that Chavez "led an unsuccessful coup ten years ago," but, again, the lack of context is outrageous. That particular coup was in direct response to the Perez administration's bloody crackdown on a civic uprising. At least a thousand civilians were killed. Like the killings mentioned above, we do not have to guess who the parties responsible are (as in the still maddeningly unsolved case of April 11); it is a matter of historical record. So, given that Hadden goes out of his way to vaguely characterize Chavez's supporters' street protests as "violent," why does he consistently fail to mention the civilian deaths suffered at the hands of Chavez's political foes? This is the journalistic equivalent of a "disappearance." I hope for the sake of Mr. Hadden's conscience that he is as ashamed of his report as I am of NPR for broadcasting it. Brad Carlton wrote the "Letter from Venezuela" series for The Baltimore Chronicle, where this letter originally appeared. Latest News Posted: Saturday, January 11, 2003 ¤ Not All White House Reporters Are Pushovers ¤ Dick Cheney, chickenhawk ¤ Illinois Gov. Commutes All Death Sentences ¤ U.N. Inspectors Find Weapons Of Masturbation ¤ Hamas to Iraq: Use suicide-squad tactics ¤ Blair meeting Bush to prevent Iraq war ¤ Iraq war considered prelude to reshaping Middle East ¤ Agency Challenges Evidence Against Iraq Cited by Bush ¤ UK to pursue talks with Palestinians ¤ EU tells America to toe the UN line ¤ U.S. fails to share data on Iraq: UN ¤ Opposition to War Growing in France ¤ It's Time To Get Tough With Israel ¤ Britain opposes war, say campaigners ¤ Aid To Israel - Time To Set Conditions ¤ N Korea's long-range missile, nuclear arms up the ante for Alaska ¤ No US troops in S. Korea in decade ¤ Key GOP senators balk at Bush plan ¤ US heartlands will keep doubts until war begins ¤ Iraq defectors could receive asylum in U.S. ¤ Struggle looms over rival oil pipeline routes from Siberia to the east ¤ White House dodging anthrax questions? ¤ Arafat urges halt on attacks before Israel poll ¤ Russia's outpost reinforced with more troops ¤ Swiss government sacks teacher for defending Islam in paper ¤ UK: Blair to press ahead with London talks despite PA absence ¤ Israeli Troops Kill 15-Year-Old in West Bank ¤ Sharon fights for his political life ¤ In harm's way ¤ Iraqi oil may be taken as 'spoil of war' ¤ US plans ways to end Venezuela crisis as fears mount over oil ¤ You can't treat govts as friends and their people as foes, Bush told ¤ The drums of war ¤ US accused of persistent rights violations at Camp X-Ray Update : Jan. 11, 2003 Posted: Saturday, January 11, 2003 The Coup Lacked Professionalism On Monday, April 15, CNN Spanish asked a Venezuelan "expert" why the coup had failed. "Lack of professionalism," he pompously replied. I thought he would mention Assistant Secretary of State Otto Reich's lack of experience in organizing such affairs. Reich has had ample experience as a professional in lying and twisting information, in conspiring with terrorists, but not much in the way of coup making. Perhaps, I thought, the expert meant that the CIA and Pentagon had employed a team of novices. But CNN since identified the man as a professor, I speculated that the expert implied that the conspirators should have gotten their PhDs in coup making at the Fort Benning School of the Americas before attempting their dirty deeds in Caracas. Latin American military officials could qualify for such advanced and graduate studies if they made a straight A average in their "how to torture" courses. By Saul Landau, counterpunch.org US plans ways to end Venezuela crisis The United States is preparing a major initiative aimed at defusing Venezuela's political crisis and ending an anti-government strike that has halted the energy exports of the world's fifth-largest oil producer. The Bush administration is expected to call on governments in Latin America, as well as the Organisation of American States, to negotiate an end to the crisis and map out a definitive strategy for dealing with Venezuela's President, Hugo Chavez. The Washington Post says a new group, to be called the "Friends of Venezuela", will attempt to steer a middle path between President Chavez, who has so far resisted all calls to step down, and the opposition. - By Andrew Gumbel in Los Angeles, Independent/UK US urges world to help restore stability The Bush administration called on the international community yesterday for help in resolving the five-week strike in Venezuela that is crippling oil exports, promoting violence, and threatening the stability of the government of President Hugo Chavez. "The severe damage being caused to Venezuela's economy, as well as the increasing likelihood of violence and civil conflict, requires a solution," said White House press secretary Ari Fleischer. He said the United States continued to support mediation efforts by Cesar Gaviria, secretary general of the Organization of American States, "to facilitate a dialogue between both sides that leads to a peaceful, democratic, constitutional and electoral solution to Venezuela's crisis." - By Associated Press via www.boston.com Latest News Posted: Friday, January 10, 2003 ¤ Powell, Rice to meet with U.N. arms official ¤ First Iraq, then the Raelians: Where’s the proof? ¤ War Party In Retreat ¤ Iraq guilty regardless of UN findings, says US ¤ Uncle Sam Desperately Seeks Reason to Attack Iraq ¤ New reports say Iraq holding U.S. pilot ¤ US trade war threat as Europe bars GM crops ¤ US ready to declare war over GM food ¤ US General Says Terrorist Groups Operate in South America ¤ UN WMD Inspectors Find Nothing In Iraq ¤ Allies in a spin over lack of evidence ¤ Bush losing ground among Maryland voters ¤ Radio pulls plug on Sharon ¤ Under pressure: Blair gets a reality check over Iraq ¤ America, Britain Used Atomic Ammunition in Afghanistan ¤ Fairbanks, AK City Council Bucks Patriot Act ¤ US set to win battle over Iraqi scientists ¤ U.S. considers seizing Iraq's Oil ¤ Bush urged to give inspectors more time ¤ World will count cost of US misery ¤ TV humiliation as Sharon fails to stem voter exodus ¤ US wants to control Iraqi oil, dominate region: Khamenei ¤ U.N. Inspectors: No 'Smoking Gun' in Iraq ¤ US will attack Iraq 'without UN backing' ¤ US intelligence is finally given to arms inspectors ¤ Bush urged to give inspectors more time ¤ 'Iraq ready to answer questions about arms dossier' ¤ Britain moves to delay war until end of year ¤ US defence spending could reach $US480 billion in next decade ¤ Scandal blow to Sharon's leadership ¤ Crisis eases as N Korea, US get set to renew vows ¤ US insists Iraq has banned weapons ¤ Cruel intent ¤ US forces launch wargames near Pak border ¤ Afghan firefight kills four extremists ¤ Way of the American Three new viruses on the loose Whole week I am receiving spam about a Norton Anti-Virus sale, now I am hearing that there are three new viruses are on the loose. The things some companies will do to boost sales!!! - Ayinde US$100 million for the head of President Hugo Chavez Frias Posted: Friday, January 10, 2003 Venezuela's opposition radicals and their cloak-and-dagger financiers are growing desperate as the 5th week of their national stoppage grinds inexorably to its close with democratically-elected President Hugo Chavez Frias still firmly in place. "We are at War, since Chavez will not enter into dialogue or resign immediately, there is only one option left: to execute him!" Spanish-language transcripts of secret opposition radicals' conversations made available to VHeadline.com by IC sources say "Esto es en serio: ofrezco recompensa de US100 millones por la cabeza de Hugo Chavez Frias, al que lo meta de un tiro en la frente y uno en el corazon; luego lo decapite y cuelgue la cabeza expuesta al publico por los dias que nos ha tenido de paro en la Plaza Altamira, la Plaza Francia, La Plaza de la Libertad." Translated: This is serious: US$100 million reward for the head of Hugo Chavez Frias, to anyone who puts a bullet in his forehead and one in his heart, afterwards to decapitate and hang the head exposed to the public for the same number of days as we have held the strike in Plaza Altamira, the Plaza of Liberty." The would-be assassins and their henchmen are prepared to pay US$50 million each for the heads of Executive Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel, Minister of Justice Diosdado Cabello and Caracas Libertador Mayor Freddy Bernal; for others in an opposition death list of preferred targets the bounty is reduced to US$25 million a head ... "payment will be made in North American cash exactly one hour after the traitors have been exhibited in Plaza Altamira ... we are making history, compatriots .. we are conducting our own French Revolution." VHeadline.com Update : Jan. 10, 2003 Posted: Friday, January 10, 2003 As Venezuela Boils, Blacks Caught in the Middle With an opposition composed of labor, the media, the church, and most business leaders, whom does Chavez have on his side? Ironically, it is the country's long-marginalized black community that stands in the middle of the debate. As Chavez has alienated the predominantly white political and business elite, he has appealed to the poor majority, who are black and Indian. Observers note that Chavez's populist rhetoric has exposed Venezuela's ethnic and racial fault-lines (the country's population is 21 % white, 10 % black, 67 % mestizo, and 2 % indigenous), and deepened the divide between the country's white middle and upper classes and the poor majority — some 80 % of the country's 24 million people live in poverty. By Hisham Aidi, www.africana.com Transport workers will not join strike action Following rumors that Venezuela's transport workers may join the now six week old national general strike, National Transport Commission president, Jose Enrique Betancourt, assured Executive Vice President, Jose Vicente Rangel, that the transport sector would continue to work as normal. This follows a meeting with the sector's union leaders, during which agreement was reached to carry on working as they have done so far during the strike. - www.vheadline.com Bank customers to call on Supreme Court to suspend bank strike Venezuelans protest in PoS Venezuelans protest outside the Venezuelan Embassy at Victoria Avenue, Port of Spain, yesterday. About 50 demonstrators gathered outside the embassy calling for "fresh elections and a return to democracy in Venezuela". They should be expelled for not supporting the Democratic process in Venezuela while residing in Democratic Trinidad and Tobago. - Daniel Democratically speaking they are allowed to protest. Democracy gives them the right to protest even if they are wrong so we should allow them. - Ayinde Latest News Posted: Thursday, January 9, 2003 ¤ Followup: Selling the War ¤ Israel Rejects Blair's Plea to Lift Ban ¤ Famed activist Ellsberg stirs up Fairfax ¤ Anti-war train drivers refuse to move arms freight ¤ Poll shows Sharon's lead cut to three seats ¤ Blix Says No Smoking Guns Found in Iraq ¤ The Great Global Social Security Giveaway? ¤ World on path to disaster, bomb pioneer warns ¤ Global Gulag: This Prison is Built One Person at a Time ¤ N Korea agrees to talks with Seoul ¤ Poll ban on Arab Israelis lifted ¤ Big Oil and James Baker Target the Western Sahara ¤ Democrats Set to Fight Pickering Nomination ¤ Under the White Robe: The Ghosts of Pickering's Past ¤ India test-fires ballistic missile ¤ Poet laureate queries motives behind Iraq attack ¤ U.S. Navy uses depleted uranium in coast waters ¤ Britain urges US to delay war until autumn ¤ Nato directionless on nuclear policy ¤ US weapons dossier may remain a secret ¤ Hezbollah says it won't attack Israel during Iraq war ¤ Kuwait religious edict bans killing non-Muslims ¤ PA:Over 9 million Palestinians worldwide ¤ America's floating airbase gets ready for battle ¤ Blair meets brick wall in bid to rescue London talks ¤ Bush's Transformation in Saber-Rattling Times ¤ America's confused China policy ¤ Colin Powell: The Case of The Shrinking General ¤ Plane Crash in Turkey Kills 75 People ¤ Commuter Plane Crash in N.C. Kills 21 ¤ No evidence of banned arms, Blix to tell UN ¤ Iraq war must have UN backing, Labour MPs tell Blair ¤ Britain to send 120 tanks to Gulf while RAF jets head for Jordan ¤ 'Human shield' peace activists mobilise for Iraq ¤ Allied jets bomb Iraq as London woos Turkey ¤ 11 more killed in held Kashmir violence ¤ Britain urges US to delay war until autumn Update : Jan. 09, 2003 Posted: Thursday, January 9, 2003 PDVSA employees for axe whatever the outcome A consultancy firm audit ordered by Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) reveals that the company is overstaffed 80%. Finance Minister Tobias Norbrega Suarez says the situation has to do with the fusion of former subsidiaries under PDVSA president Luis Giusti and staff was kept on instead of being dismissed as happened in similar mergers throughout the world. www.vheadline.com Cuba blasts critics of Venezuelan oil deal The Foreign Ministry characterized as a "gross fascist lie," charges by those trying to oust Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez that the World's No. 5 oil exporter sells Cuba cheap crude to prop-up the communist-run Caribbean island. "Those with evil intentions who are putting forward the slander about Chavez giving oil to Cuba, not only fail to mention the millions of dollars paid by Cuba ... but also in a fantastic manner ignore that there is no gift at all," the Foreign Ministry said. - By Marc Frank, www.forbes.com Big Oil and James Baker Target the Western Sahara Posted: Thursday, January 9, 2003 By WAYNE MADSEN, January 8, 2003 In the midst of America's international campaign against terrorism, the Bush administration is permitting Big Oil to legitimize the illegal occupation of an invaded country--Western Sahara. Formerly known as Spanish Sahara and invaded by Morocco in 1975 (the same year Henry Kissinger acquiesced to Indonesia's invasion and annexation of East Timor and India's annexation of the Himalayan Kigdom of Sikkim)), Western Sahara's occupation by Morocco has neither been recognized by the United Nations nor the Organization of African Unity. The latter actually recognizes the independence of Western Sahara's exiled Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, which is headquartered in remote and squalid desert refugee camps on the Algerian side of the Western Sahara-Algeria border. In the New World Order of the Bush family, the Western Saharans have little future. That is because the lifeblood of what it means to be a Bush--oil--has been discovered off the coast of Western Sahara. Although Morocco is the illegal occupier of Western Sahara, that did not stop the Oklahoma City-based Kerr McGee Corporation (the company infamously portrayed in the movie "Silkwood") from signing an off-shore exploration deal with Morocco on September 25, 2001, just days after the terrorist attacks on the United States. The timing for Kerr McGee could not have been better. The group fighting for Western Sahara independence, POLISARIO, once waged a bitter guerrilla war against Morocco. In 1991, POLISARIO signed a cease fire with Morocco but Moroccan troops remained in the disputed territory. Meanwhile, Morocco continued to pour thousands of native Moroccans into the territory. The 1991 cease fire agreement with Morocco was to have resulted in a referendum on the territory's future. However, Morocco kept delaying the vote until it could salt the territory with enough of its own emigres until they constituted a majority, thus ensuring a final vote would result in voter approval for merger with Morocco. In 1997, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, who, ironically, was awarded the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize, named former Secretary of State James Baker as his personal envoy to settle the Western Sahara problem. Baker, who would later serve as George W. Bush's fix-it man in Florida's disputed presidential election, began considering rather novel ideas to settle the Western Sahara problem. Unfortunately, for the Sahrawis, Baker's ideas were all stamped with the imprimatur of Morocco. Baker, who is as connected to the Houston oil big wigs as J.R. Ewing was to the oil czars in the TV show "Dallas," has his own close ties to Kerr McGee. His James Baker Institute at Rice University funded a study Called "Strategic Energy Policy: Challenges for the 21st Century." The author of that report is Matt Simmons, President of Simmons and Company Investment Bankers and member of the Board of Directors of Kerr McGee. It also helps the cause of Kerr McGee that Baker's former spokesperson at the Departments of State and Treasury and close personal friend, Margaret Tutwiler, serves as the U.S. ambassador to Morocco. One former associate of Tutwiler confided that it was no coincidence that landed Tutwiler in Morocco, "She was obviously placed there by Baker and his oil buddies to help cut oil deals." Tutwiler is not only in a commanding position to influence U.S. policy on Western Sahara but she can count upon one of her best friends, former White House Communications Director and close Bush confidant Karen Hughes, to ensure that Morocco's case receives the personal attention of President Bush. The plan that Baker drew up for Western Sahara (while he was ensconced with his friends at his Jackson Hole, Wyoming ranch) will undoubtedly result in the territory's eventual merger with Morocco. Approved by the UN Security Council, with the strong support of France, whose TotalFinaElf conglomerate also just signed an offshore oil exploration, the plan calls for a five-year delay for a final referendum. In the meantime, Western Sahara will have a weak territorial assembly that will be packed with loyalists of Morocco's King Mohammed, a close U.S. ally. When the referendum is finally held, sometime around 2006 or 2007, all the Moroccan squatters and occupying troops will be allowed to vote. On January 7, 2003, the UN announced that Baker would be visiting Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and Western Sahara to revive his peace plan. But it now seems that with impending war with Iraq and the paralyzing Venezuelan oil strike, Baker is under pressure from his friends in the Bush administration to bring about the commencement of oil drilling off of Western Sahara. Thus the sudden new interest by Baker in a Western Sahara "peace" deal. U.S. oil companies are chomping at the bit. In its Securities and Exchange Commission filings, Kerr McGee continues to list Western Sahara's Boujdour block (where it has been given permission to drill by Morocco) as being within Moroccan territory, a claim neither supported by the United Nations nor officially recognized by the United States. Although Baker was to have been an honest broker, even he had to admit to the U.N. Security Council in 2001 that the plan had been heavily influenced by Morocco. Since Bush has enlisted the support of Algeria's President Abdelaziz Boutefllika in the worldwide war against terrorism, it is clear that he was pressured to limit Algeria's historic support for POLISARIO and the Sahrawis. Bouteflika even endorsed Baker's plan. French President Jacques Chirac has referred to Western Sahara as Morocco's "southern provinces," a clear indication of where the West sees the future of the territory. For its part, the Western Saharans are claiming the deals between Morocco and TotalFinaElf and Kerr McGee are in violation of international law and previous UN resolutions. The Sahrawi President, Mohammed Abdelaziz, condemned the oil deals as an illegal "provocation." The Sahrawi cause is supported by a number of NGOs, former French First Lady Danielle Mitterand, and East Timor's leadership, which knows all too well about being held hostage by oil interests and brutal occupying dictatorships allied with the West. But the oil companies and the Baker-Bush team still holds the trump card. If the Sahrawis, out of desperation, break the cease fire and go to war with Morocco, the anti-terrorism measures undertaken by the United States may seal their fate. All the State Department has to do is simply declare POLISARIO and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic terrorist organizations. Their international assets would be frozen, their leaders would be arrested and could be tried by secret U.S. military tribunals and executed, and Big Oil and Morocco would rule the day in Western Sahara. Even groups that support their cause could be targeted and their assets seized. Furthermore, the American public, conditioned to be suspicious of all things Arab, would have little sympathy for nomadic Arabs fighting against a U.S. "ally." It is a scenario that could be replayed in every part of the world where local secessionist groups are pitted against brutal regimes and greedy multinational corporations--the Aceh region of northern Sumatra, West Papua, and Nigeria's Delta Region, to name but a few. Wayne Madsen is a Washington, DC-based investigative journalist and columnist. He wrote the introduction to Forbidden Truth. Reproduced from counterpunch with permission from Wayne Madsen Regionalism Transcends Non-Interference in Venezuela Posted: Thursday, January 9, 2003 By Stephen Kangal, M.O.M., CARONI T&T The second national crisis to de-stabilize Venezuela within one year constitutes a critical watershed event in the evolution of the ad hoc regional contingency response mechanism in Latin America (LA). The second crisis serves as a catalyst to accelerate the process of regionalism/interdependence that hitherto has been transacted unobtrusively. It seems a reasonable prognosis that countries will in the future openly come to the assistance of each other whenever democratic regimes are under threat or when national emergencies and exigencies justify urgent contingency responses. They will abandon the hitherto fundamental and sacred principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of foreign states. It may even pre-empt and/or reduce the incidence of crippling strikes of certain essential services /industries notably in the energy sector in T&T and Venezuela on the basis of creeping bilateral symbiosis. This Venezuelan crisis has opened a Pandora's Box with unexpected and uncontrollable regional implications that may culminate in greater cohesion, solidarity and co-operation and pose a challenge to US hegemony that regards Latin America as its own sphere of influence. The demands posed by incipient regional contingency co-operation, when assessed in the context of the challenges for the maintenance of a democratic regime in Venezuela, have overtly assumed precedence over some aspects of the concept of political independence and its corollary- the UN Charter principle of the non-interference in the internal affairs of states. This principle of non-interference has been invoked for political mileage by the Opposition Democratica Co-ordinadora to resist and pre-empt further regional assistance hitherto accorded to Venezuela by Colombia (Food), Dominican Republic (rice), Trinidad and Tobago (gasoline), Brazil (gasoline and oil workers), OPEC and OAS (diplomatic) with Ecuador (oil) to follow soon. In fact Opposition pokeswoman Francia Galea issued veiled threats regarding the safety of the New Year's Day T&T shipment of 300,000 barrels of gasoline (Express Jan 31, p.3). Letters appearing in the dailies have questioned the legality/advisability of T&T's shipment of oil to Venezuela (Guardian Jan.8, p. 24). President Chavez wants to deepen hydrocarbon regionalism with his Latin OPEC proposal as well as his idea of a Petro-America- a transnational mega- company consisting of PDVSA, Petrobras, Petrotrin etc. (Express Jan.4, p.4). The deepening of regional co-operation was not unexpected, having regard to increasing functionalism, expansion of free trade areas, border-less trading and other economic and international relations that are integral to the tenets of the compressed globalised village. The days of the non-interference UN Charter principle are numbered as the lines conventionally drawn between economics and politics become incrementally blurred or overlap. Interference is becoming institutionalised (Ship Rider, Mutual Defence, Mutual Assistance Agreements etc) or conducted by state invitation (President Chavez appealing for help). The Venezuelan month long strike is not a legitimate industrial relations-related work stoppage. It is politically engineered to unseat a democratically and overwhelmingly elected government that is globally recognised. Venezuela has sought external assistance regionally. Responses have been positive. If, in fact, there is evidence of blatant interference in the internal affairs of Venezuela geared to unseat the legitimate Government, it is sponsored from the US that has hitherto provided covert funding for Opposition elements as well as in April last. Within the contemporary globalised trading setting LA Governments in tandem with others have virtually surrendered their economic and financial sovereignty to WTO, Caricom, OAS, ACS, Mercursor, Andean Community etc. with the result that internal economic interference is legally permissible and institutionalised. Countries no longer exercise exclusive economic sovereignty. Hitherto Cuba has supplied Venezuela with doctors and medical personnel in return for 53,000 bpd of Venezuelan crude. There was even the rumour that Cuban maritime personnel had taken over striking PDVSA tankers- a charge denied by the Cubans. Placards of Fidel Castro were carried by Chavites during demonstrations in Caracas. Brazil has sent 525,000 barrels and promised to send technicians/workers to re-start PDVSA operations. T&T will continue to ship gasoline, receive Venezuelan crude as payment and store diverted Venezuelan containers for trans-shipment. The scope for growth of LA regionalism/strategic alliances is enhanced by the advent of leftist, populist leaders assuming the Presidencies of Cuba, Venezuela, Ecuador and Brazil and with others gaining rapid ground in Peru and Bolivia (Guardian Editorial 9/12/02, p.24; Express Editorial Jan. 6, p.10). This poses a serious challenge for US –Hemispheric relations in its back-door sphere of influence vis-à-vis its own homeland internal security concerns, its growing intransigent confrontation with the axis of evil states and its relentless search for alternative strategic supplies of energy in the face of a volatile, vulnerable, terrorist-prone Middle East. The imperatives of geo-real-politics are increasingly assuming precedence over normative niceties. Accordingly the Government of T&T was right in responding to the appeal of President Chavez (Express Business Jan.8, p.6). It did not have to adopt a hands off position seeking legal refuge in existing contractual relations concluded between PDVSA and Petrotrin (PM Manning's position as reported in Express Jan.4, p.4) to justify its shipment of 300,000 barrels of gasoline to Venezuela because both companies are state-owned entities. The GORTT has recognised the Chavez regime. Not to send the requested fuels with Government's complicity would be tantamount to according legitimacy to the Opposition politically motivated, illegal strike (Foreign Minister Gift's Gov't- to- Gov't position (Guardian 1 Jan., p.12; Express Jan. 31, p.3) and supported by the NAR) and jeopardise its candidacy for the FTAA Secretariat. On the other hand, what future risks are there for T&T from a bilateral political and on-going hydrocarbon co-operation perspectives should the Opposition assume, God forbid, the government of Venezuela? Latest News Posted: Wednesday, January 8, 2003 ¤ The Queen says 'No' to Rastas > But they plan appeal to United Nations ¤ Dear Mr. President, Who ARE You? ¤ Blix to report no illegal Iraq arms found ¤ Will the dollar fall before Saddam? ¤ Rumors that US rejected Israel aid request push shekel down ¤ Israel wants more than total US foreign aid budget ¤ New sleaze blow for Sharon as poll looms ¤ Sharon Denounces Reports of Investigation ¤ Colin Powell Expresses Concern Over Israel's Ban ¤ EU Codemns Israel ¤ Poison find: How real is the threat? ¤ Brigadier General Says Israel Is The Problem, Not Iraq ¤ Israel to get most from war: expert ¤ Iraq: U.S. wants to subjugate Middle East ¤ Commuter plane crashes in N Carolina, 21 dead ¤ Allies welcome US shift on N Korea ¤ Turkish build-up in Iraq ¤ U.S. soldiers in South Korea feel growing anti-Americanism ¤ Assassin's chemical has limited use in terrorism ¤ War exercise RAF aircraft fly to Jordan ¤ New sleaze blow for Sharon as poll looms ¤ Key war planners ordered to Gulf ¤ Rebels killed, French hurt in bloody battle ¤ Alarm over terror suspects with deadly toxin ¤ History of a simple but lethal by-product of castor oil plants ¤ Bush takes $670bn gamble ¤ Democrats deride Bush's £420bn tax-cuts plan ¤ Blair to US: listen to the world's fears ¤ Drink Muslim, says new rival to Coke ¤ Sharon investigated for illegal funding ¤ On Being Dealt the Anti-Semitic Card ¤ Congo sentences 26 to death for Kabila's murder ¤ Berlusconi aide 'struck deal with mafia' ¤ A few inconvenient facts about Saddam ¤ Rebels killed, French hurt in bloody battle ¤ Sanctions would mean war, Pyongyang warns ¤ US accused of cheating Indians out of billions ¤ Bush's $1 trillion kick-start plan ¤ The good, the bad and the shackled id: > an insider unmasks the real Bush ¤ Israel hits Palestinians on all fronts ¤ UK signals push to secure Iraqi oilfields ¤ Britain admits oil key foreign policy concern ¤ IT'S ALL ABOUT OIL! ¤ Britain frustrated as Israel scuttles peace conference Update : Jan. 08, 2003 Posted: Wednesday, January 8, 2003 UNICEF: Striking teachers and school directors guilty of children's rights abuses UNICEF-Venezuela has hit out against what it considers children’s rights violations in education during the current political crisis. A UNICEF report indicates a 30% loss of the school year so far and warns that the quality of education could suffer serious consequences. - by Patrick J. O'Donoghue, www.vheadline.com Venezuela strike costs oil market 70 mln bbls/mo WASHINGTON, Jan 8 (Reuters) - The strike in Venezuela, if it continues much longer, would cost world oil markets 70 million barrels of crude a month, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday. Prior to the Venezuela strike, which began on Dec. 2, world oil inventories had been projected to rise from the bottom of their 5-year average range in November towards the middle of the normal range in January, according to EIA. www.alertnet.org Update : Jan. 07, 2003 Posted: Tuesday, January 7, 2003 Oil production recovering, Venezuela says CARACAS -- President Hugo Chavez's government said yesterday it was steadily reviving the world's fifth-largest oil exporting industry a month into a strike led by Venezuela's opposition. Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez said production was about 800,000 barrels a day and would reach more than a million barrels a day by the end of the week. Venezuela normally produces three million barrels a day. By AP and CP, www.canoe.ca Latest News Posted: Monday, January 6, 2003 ¤ US ready for talks with Pyongyang ¤ Teenager wins DVD court battle ¤ U.S. hears Israel's plea for billions in arms aid ¤ South Africa to probe Sharon funding ¤ UK Terror police find deadly poison Now rally the troops ¤ Nuclear chief: No 'smoking gun' in Iraq ¤ North Korea: Sanctions Mean War ¤ Straw admits oil is key priority ¤ Koreans united in Bond hatred ¤ Briton admits Saudi bomb murder ¤ Scientist cries hoax as cult fails to provide clone proof ¤ Iraq War Could Put 10 Million In Need of Aid ¤ Arabs Blast U.S. Dichotomy on Iraq, North Korea ¤ Palestinians barred from Blair's peace summit ¤ Britain and Israel in furious row ¤ How gesture for peace ended in row ¤ Israel's ban is against its own interests ¤ Britain prepares tanks for desert war ¤ Netanyahu accuses Blair of legitimising terror regime ¤ UN gives North Korea one last chance ¤ Briton held by Saudis admits part in bombings ¤ Bush's multibillion-dollar tax cut for the rich ¤ US aims to seize Iraq and occupy it for 18 months ¤ Task force joins US mission against Saddam ¤ Turkey prepares to stake claim in Iraq's oil fields ¤ The build-up to conflict begins in earnest ¤ Bush pushes for civilian administrator to run Iraq ¤ Inspectors are spying, says defiant Saddam ¤ US battle for £2bn undersea treasure ¤ Islamic rebels kill over 50 in Algeria ¤ US-made arms arrive in Nepal: report ¤ North Korea violating truce agreement: US military chief ¤ Unpredictable force awaits U.S. in Iraq ¤ Israeli tanks make new raid in Gaza Strip ¤ We kill our rebels the Israeli way, says Russia ¤ Bombers shatter peace hopes "Sharon's election corruption" ¤ Britain falls into line on 'axis of evil' ¤ U.S. Warship's visit to Australia fuels war talk World News Posted: Monday, January 6, 2003 ¤ US 'planning occupation of post-Saddam Iraq' ¤ Israel Reports in English Lack Parts Of Hebrew Versions ¤ Israeli Helicopters Fire Missiles at Gaza Strip Metal Shop ¤ Hizbollah says weapons allegations "absurd talk" ¤ Why George Bush Jnr Is Hellbent On War With Iraq ¤ US official denies decision already taken to attack Iraq ¤ British foreign secretary says war against Iraq now less likely ¤ Saddam: Inspectors Perform 'Intelligence Work' ¤ President George Bull And His Excremental Message ¤ Oil-field takeover, trials of top Iraqis part of U.S. plan ¤ Congress's Rollover on War ¤ Passenger hangs himself on Heathrow flight ¤ Network problems disrupted our Trinicenter Websites ¤ Israelis test defence missiles in preparation for war on Iraq ¤ Algerian Islamists kill 56 in raids on army and families ¤ Suicide bombs kill 23 in Israel ¤ Rival challenges Sharon's recipe for peace ¤ North Korea puts army on heightened alert ¤ Only Iran and US apply death penalty to under-18s ¤ Chavez Supporters Mourn Rally Victims ¤ If only he would listen, this could be Blair's finest hour ¤ Undercover war begins as US forces enter Iraq ¤ Mugabe 'supports World Cup boycott' ¤ Thousands of US nuns abused by priests: study ¤ UN inspectors flex muscles, Israel tests missile ¤ Israeli helicopters fire missiles in Gaza ¤ China stands by North Korea despite 'aggravations' ¤ US action against Iraq without UN would be "illegitimate": Russia ¤ Britain will back US over 'axis of evil', says Straw ¤ Friendly fire threat to Gulf troops Update : Jan 06, 2003 Posted: Monday, January 6, 2003 Venezuelan Army refuses to get involved in political crisis Army General Julio Jose Garcia Montoya has insisted that the army will not allow itself to get involved in Venezuela's political crisis, insisting that it should be resolved by the politicians. The army chief also assured that it would not listen to opposition calls for military action, stressing that the military would not consider intervention against President Hugo Chavez Frias and his government. - by Robert Rudnicki, www.vheadline.com Victims of Venezuela violence buried CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- President Hugo Chavez promised justice for two men killed at a political rally -- violence he blamed on leaders of a month-old strike intended to force him from office and on the opposition-aligned news media. via www.sfgate.com Chavez Supporters Demand Probe of Deaths Supporters of President Hugo Chavez protested outside the attorney-general's office Monday to demand an investigation into two slayings the government blamed on leaders of a month-old strike. AP via abcnews.com Here's the photograph that Venezuela's opposition don't want you to see! On April 12, Carlos Fernandez went to the Miraflores Presidential Palace on Avenida Urdaneta to congratulate his Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FEDECAMARAS) colleague Pedro Carmona Estanga who had just been proclaimed Venezuela's Dictator-for-a-Day. -www.Vheadline.com Moving to the left Posted: Monday, January 6, 2003 Editorial, TT Express LAST week's inauguration of Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva following his victory in last October's general election marks an emerging trend in Latin America that has seen a marked shift to the leftist, populist movements in South America. There have been similar election results in economically challenged Ecuador following the trend started by Venezuela, which elected former paratrooper and failed coup plotter Hugo Chavez to office with an overwhelming mandate. Silva, like Chavez, has taken power with a promise to end poverty in what is, to some extent, quite a rich country. Brazil has a land-mass larger than the continental United States and shares borders with all but two South American countries, but as much as 80 per cent of its population is estimated to live in poverty. "If at the end of my mandate all Brazilians have the possibility to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner," Silva said at his inauguration, "then I will have fulfilled the mission of my life." Similar concerns in Ecuador have seen the fall of Abdala Bucaram and victory for the Lucio Gutierrez, who promised to end the growing impoverishment of his countrymen. Bucaram had promised to tame IMF-mandated austerity policies that were adversely affecting the bulk of the population, but fell victim to a wave of protests over rising unemployment and inflation as the economic measures simply failed to work. But as Chavez has discovered in Venezuela, and the new leaders in Brazil and Ecuador will soon realise, bringing prosperity to impoverished masses in countries with a long history of unequal income distribution is going to be extremely difficult to realise. Their election, however, shows that voters are willing to look outside established parties and candidates following repeated failures by the status quo. With similar economic problems in Argentina, Costa Rica and a number of other countries, and with the military no longer an option, it is not surprising that leaders like Silva and Chavez are seen as saviours. The Venezuelan experience has shown, however, that there are no easy solutions to the deep-seated economic problems affecting many countries all over the world as a result of globalisation. Latin American countries, more so than much of the world, are characterised by wide income disparities now being aggravated by IMF/World Bank policies which seek to restrain the ability of many governments to redistribute wealth through subsidies and other transfer payments. The repeated failures of regional governments are leading voters to the left and the only options yet to be tried. President Chavez has shown, however, that it will take more than an overwhelming mandate and loads of goodwill to transform the life of the poor. And there is an important lesson for us here. While Trinidad and Tobago does not share the same problems afflicting much of Latin America, we do have an estimated 20 per cent of the population living below the poverty line. The rising crime levels and the growing dependence on criminal gang or "community" leaders in some parts of the country suggest that not everyone is benefiting from what the last two administrations have insisted are a series of measures aimed at alleviating poverty. Voters are losing patience with political parties and systems that don't deliver and more and more are willing to take chances with the untried and untested and anyone offering simple, if ultimately impossible, solutions. In Venezuela it is Chavez, in Brazil, Silva, if all else fails, in Trinidad and Tobago, it could very well be Abu Bakr. World News Posted: Sunday, January 5, 2003 ¤ Two Suicide Bombers Kill 22 in Tel Aviv ¤ 20 Dead In Tel Aviv Suicide Attack ¤ Bush the gunslinger ¤ No to Torture ¤ Bio-Warfare and Terrorism ¤ 14 People Killed in Several Kashmir Gunfights ¤ Israelis NOW in Washington to discuss $4 billion + $8 billion ¤ Lamest excuse yet for war ¤ U.S. may need to re-sell Iraq plan ¤ Govt asked to clarify dossier ¤ U.S. agents operating in Iraq: Analysts ¤ 'Minimal' U.S. Combat Death Toll Seen in Iraq War > 'Minimal' meaning it's nobody Bush personally knows. ¤ Thousands demonstrate against apartheid in Israel ¤ War May Breed More Terror ¤ War's toll: 158,000 Iraqis and a researcher's position ¤ Of course Iraq was once our friend ¤ Knowing Who is Behind the Bush ¤ US looks at ways to sap N. Korea's will ¤ US paying Iraqi rebels at secret training camp ¤ Israeli 'transfer' of Palestinians feared ¤ Two die, dozens hurt in Venezuela protest ¤ Chavez supporters march after Venezuela violence ¤ Tutu condemns PM over Iraq ¤ England stars face violent demos ¤ Syria, Turkey to make joint efforts for averting Iraq war ¤ N Korea holds US responsible for stand-off ¤ US again proves itself unreliable ¤ Rogue state North Korea 'has three nuclear bombs' ¤ UN inspectors fear Bush will ignore them ¤ Blair and Bush to announce troop build-up ready for attack on Iraq Dozens hurt as troops break up opposition protest Posted: Sunday, January 5, 2003 www.newsday.co.tt CARACAS, Venezuela: Troops fired rubber bullets and tear gas yesterday to keep opponents and rock-throwing supporters of President Hugo Chavez from clashing outside the Venezuelan capital’s military headquarters. At least 23 people were injured. The violence erupted when several hundred supporters of the president threw rocks, bottles and fireworks at thousands of opposition marchers and police in Los Proceres park, outside Caracas' Fort Tiuna. The anti-Chavez marchers were demanding the release of a dissident national guard general and urging the military to support a 5-week-old strike aimed at forcing Chavez to hold a nonbinding vote on his leadership. Stinging white clouds of tear gas drifted through the district's tree-lined avenues as guardsmen fired tear gas and buckshot. The unrest rekindled hours later, with protesters and police ducking behind trees and lying flat on the streets as gunfire rang out. Among the injured were seven police officers, said Police Chief Henry Vivas. Opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez said 11 people were hurt in a stampede. Col Jose Rodrigo Pantoja, commander of the military police, said marchers weren't authorized to enter the plaza, which the government has declared a security zone - one of eight such zones in Caracas. He said soldiers acted only after the opposition march reached the plaza. Defence Minister Jose Luis Prieto had warned against the demonstration. Thousands of people milled about in neighbourhoods near Los Proceres as guardsmen clashed with jeering Chavez supporters, some of whom ran through a cloud of tear gas carrying an injured colleague on a stretcher. Opposition protesters demanded the release of Gen Carlos Alfonso Marti-nez, one of about 100 officers who revolted last fall. Martinez was arrested December 30 without a required court order. A judge ordered his release, but he remains under house arrest. Talks mediated by the Organization of American States have made little progress. The strike has forced Chavez to seek food and fuel abroad. Yesterday, he discussed aid for Venezuela with an Algerian diplomat. He also met with OAS Secretary General Cesar Gaviria on the deadlocked negotiations. Chavez vowed to defeat the strike and said he had the full support of Latin American governments. He urged the opposition to abandon the work stoppage and spend the next seven months preparing for a binding referendum. Ali Rodriguez, president of the state-owned oil company, told the state news agency Venpres the government has purchased 250,000 barrels of gasoline from a US firm and 600,000 more barrels from Russia. Venezuela also has received gasoline shipments from Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago. The government is trying to negotiate long-term gasoline import deals with those countries, as well as Ecuador, Colombia and Mexico, to meet the domestic demand of 400,000 barrels a day. Analysts say importing gasoline will force Chavez' government to make budget cuts and slash social spending - a move that could weaken his support among the poor, his power base. Update : Jan 05 2003 Posted: Sunday, January 5, 2003 Venezuela: Chomsky's Tropical Nightmare To suffer in your own flesh and blood what Noam Chomsky writes about the ideological power of Media is very different from reading it. We have enjoyed reading his articles about the media that helped us understand its enormous influence in contemporary societies. However, living in Venezuela during the last three years has allowed us to suffer directly that power. - By Franciso Armada and Carlos Mutaner, counterpunch.org Venezuela's Chávez set to declare emergency Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez is close to declaring a state of emergency as a surge in political violence during the weekend added to fresh signs that the government was failing to break a crippling oil strike. - By Andy Webb-Vidal, Financial Times Anti-government disinformation campaign highlights rebel desperation Unsubstantiated reports claiming that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias has financed Al Qaeda are circulating on the Internet as opposition rebels grow increasingly desperate in the wake of the brutal killing of two government supporters during Friday's disturbances. - Roy S. Carson, vheadline.com World News Posted: Saturday, January 4, 2003 ¤ George Bush's Web of Lies ¤ Costly winter forecast for heating-oil customers ¤ Sorry About That, Yemen; Never Mind, Venezuela ¤ Iraq Standoff Raising Anti-U.S. Fever ¤ The Bush Vision and the Culture of Power ¤ Venezuela: Chomsky's Tropical Nightmare ¤ War is much too high a price for oil ¤ Yemeni president renews rejection to striking Iraq ¤ Fox News : We Distort You Decide ¤ Israeli Bulldozers Raze Buildings in Southern Gaza ¤ The case of the five vanishing suspects ¤ USA Sold Iraq Weapons Of Mass Destruction ¤ Pakistan Denies US Military Claim of Right to Enter ¤ Pak.-US troops exchange heavy fire; Musharraf talks to Bush ¤ Two shot dead in Venezuela clashes ¤ Why al-Qaeda is winning ¤ Battle of the boffins ¤ US is ready to liberate Iraq, says Bush > ...And Slavery Is Freedom, eh Bush! ¤ Iraq lashes out at 'evil-doer' Bush ¤ Terror alerts manufactured? ¤ Inspectors set up new Iraq base as troops mass ¤ Sharon looking for 'mother of all spins' to bury Likud scandals ¤ Arafat: Israel building Berlin Wall ¤ Killing of U.N. Aide by Israel Bares Rift With Relief Agency ¤ Israel's image of liberal democracy takes a battering ¤ Israeli defence chief sees US siege of Iraqi cities ¤ Palestinian detainees rise up against Israeli captors ¤ There is no reason for Britain to go to war ¤ Jordan tries to keep a very big secret (Possible U.S. Propaganda) ¤ Director of nuclear lab resigns under cloud ¤ US spurns Seoul plea for North Korea 'guarantee' ¤ Iraq says U.S. violating law by aiding insurgents ¤ 'This war is genocide' ¤ Israel seeks US aid package ¤ Saddam learns his lesson and scatters troops ¤ The double standards, dubious morality and duplicity of this fight against terror ¤ Bush on the warpath without proof ¤ Battle of the boffins ¤ Peru Court Strikes Down Anti-Terror Laws ¤ Bush rallies troops for war ¤ Asia's shifting alliances ¤ Blair's holy war on the home front ¤ Islanders 'survived cyclone in mountain shelters' ¤ Bush gets personal in attack on Pyongyang ¤ Teens die as Israel attacks Gaza refugee camps ¤ 'US forces cannot enter Pakistan' ¤ No American will be safe in Pak: Jehadis ¤ Pro- and anti-Chavez crowds clash in Venezuela ¤ MMA stages anti-US rallies country-wide ¤ Another Humanitarian War ¤ Why al-Qaeda is winning ¤ China: No one has right to interfere in weapons deals with Israel Update : Jan 03, 2003 Posted: Friday, January 3, 2003 Opposition rebels in violent conflict with law enforcement officers One person is reported to have been shot and five injured by stones as some 30 other protesters were ferried to hospitals suffering from the effects of tear gas after refusing to stand down when Metropolitan Police (PM) riot squad officers told anti-government demonstrators they could not leave a pre-arranged protest route to invade Los Proceres this afternoon. www.vheadline.com IRS/Seniat to prosecute opposition rebels who incite tax avoidance National Taxation Superintendent Trino Alcides Diaz is to ask the Prosecutor General's Office to initiate legal recourse against anyone who exhorts members of the public to refuse to pay taxes. www.vheadline.com U.S. not worried about a Cuba-Venez.-Brazil 'axis' The Bush administration on Friday brushed aside suggestions that Brazil's new leftist president is ready to form an alliance with leaders from Venezuela and Cuba. AP via www.sfgate.com World News Posted: Friday, January 3, 2003 ¤ Drug firms 'invented' female sexual problem ¤ Winds of war, pleas for peace ¤ Fingers on all the buttons ¤ New Pentagon Plan Calls For North Korea To Invade Iraq ¤ Drift Toward War Revives Nightmare of Vietnam ¤ A Good War President Have We Got A Man On It? ¤ What this war is not about ¤ Over 100 Liberian Refugees Repatriated ¤ Private Press Senior Journalists Swallowed By System They Adored ¤ Mercenaries told to quit Ivory Coast ¤ Disruption threat to World Cup ties ¤ US will liberate Iraq, says Bush ¤ Breakthrough in Ivory Coast ¤ Shooting the Messenger: Report on Layoffs Killed ¤ 'This War is Genocide' former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark ¤ 10,000,000 March to Stop War ¤ Bush on the warpath without proof ¤ Iraqi newspaper brands Bush "master of evil-doers" ¤ U.S. asserts right to enter Pakistan ¤ Thousands in Pakistan protest 'American Terrorism' ¤ N.J. Secrecy Rule Keeps Arab American in Jail and in the Dark ¤ Physicist blows whistle on US missile defence ¤ Mossad linked to slaying of arms man ¤ Israel compared to Nazi Germany ¤ 'Israel like Nazi Germany' - row spreads ¤ 'We will do to you what the Nazis did to us' ¤ Israel Bristles at Poison Tips on Hamas Web Site ¤ Another suspect deal, another Bush brother in the mix ¤ Israel should be coerced to sign NPT, says expert ¤ Human rights group accuses Israel of unlawful detentions ¤ Pakistanis rally against US ¤ US says it may pursue attackers into Pakistan ¤ Israel sharpens Arrows for Iraq war ¤ Ariel Sharon's Shakedown ¤ Fears on nuclear controls ¤ US troops violated Geneva convention ¤ US to join Taiwan wargames ¤ US pilots in friendly fire case 'were given amphetamines' ¤ Six die in clashes in West Bank and Gaza Strip ¤ Creation of GM potato to fight hunger sets India's scientists against green groups ¤ Not a Just or Moral War ¤ Flaws in anti-missile shield 'covered up' ¤ Physicist blows whistle on US missile defence ¤ Pakistani surprised to learn he is in the US ¤ US wonders why Pak jeweller needed fake passport: Bush ¤ Thousands join Fatah march as death toll rises ¤ Musharraf plays down border shooting as rift with US grows ¤ Saddam's 'day of reckoning' near ¤ Bid to stop Korean nuke crisis ¤ Bush criticises N Korean leader, seeks peaceful end to nuke crisis ¤ UN arms chief to visit Baghdad as Iraq blasts US war preparations ¤ New crusades ¤ Another wasted year "If you don't like it, go back to Canada and never come back" Posted: Friday, January 3, 2003 December 29, 2002 By Oscar Hech Since December 16, I have not been able to keep up-to-date with VHeadline.com's latest reports or commentaries since I've been traveling throughout a good portion of Venezuela ... often to locations with little or no internet access. Readers may be interested in reading about what I have been experiencing on my travels during these difficult times in beautiful Venezuela. Here it goes: Left Caracas for the state of Sucre (eastern part of Venezuela along the Carribean) on December 16 ... the bus left at 1:30 p.m. instead of at the scheduled departure at 10:00 a.m. due to "the opposition" blocking roads. (For those readers who have been reading my letters, it took me 5 minutes to buy the bus tickets on December 15, 2002. I was dressed in a white shirt, black pants, shiny shoes, and a custom-designed tie. Upon reaching the wicket, I handed over my Canadian passport with my Gold Visa card. It worked as predicted!) NOTE: Typically, in many parts of Venezuela, especially places courted by the middle and upper class, one will find a sign on the wall stating "We reserved the right to admission." In order to get to the bus station, we had left the "barrio" (poor area/slums) at 6:30 a.m. The blocking of the roads had already begun, and it took us about two hours to make the trip (by car) to the bus station ... a trip that usually takes 15-20 minutes. On the descent from the barrio to the bus station, we encountered many road blocks set up by "the opposition" ... essentially they cut off the exits to one of Caracas' largest barrios. This was a Monday (and only one day of many road blocks), a day that people usually work. As a result, most of the people from the barrio could not go to work, could not go to the hospital, could not go to school outside the barrio, etc. This may not seem like much. However, what people outside Venezuela should be aware of with respect to the previous paragraph is the following: 1. In Caracas, most barrios are geographically located on what people around here call "los cerros" (the hills) and the "urbanizaciones" (non-slum suburbs) are located in what is called "las colinas" (the slopes). The "slopes" are geographically located below the "hills" and surround them -- i.e. the urbanizaciones surround the barrios. 2. Most people in the barrios work 6-7 days per week. 3. Many people from the barrios work outside the barrios. 4. Many people from the barrios who do not show up for work get fired without notice. (I, personally have 2 friends from the barrio that lost their jobs due to not being able to get to work). 5. Some of the opposition refused exit from the barrios to people who needed to go to the hospital ... two people had died during the previous week since they had been unable to leave the barrio to get to the hospital! 6. The vast majority of the people living in the urbanizaciones have servants, who are often paid less than minimum wage. A friend of a friend of mine, from the barrio, who works as a servant is being paid Bs.40,000 a week to take care of a sickly old lady, 7 days a week in the urbanizacion below the barrio. Dear reader, would you work for such a salary? Under such conditions? About US$30 weekly ... and the cost of living here is almost equivalent to that of Canada! On the way to the bus station, I stepped out of the car to ask "the opposition" (about 8 cars and 150 people blocking one exit road) why they are doing this, why were they stopping the people from going to work and what image are they giving the outside world about Venezuela, about a country that is so beautiful. The response from the person that seemed to be heading up this blockade was "if you don't like it, go back to Canada and never come back..." My response was the finger. That really outraged them and they all began shouting in unison "go back, go back, go back!" in broken English. I had to laugh, and told them all that I would publish what they said on the web. That really got them agitated, so I ran to the car and left. The last several paragraphs are representative of what I believe to be "the opposition's actions without conscience." And they call themselves "Civilized"? Huh! Note: Before someone sends me a nasty letter, I do realize that my giving them the finger is not very civilized, but my action does not kill people nor does it stop people from working, eating, living. This reminds me. Do people outside Venezuela know that classified ads looking for executive secretaries will include statements in the nature of "no older than 25 years of age, svelte, attractive." Civilized? I am sure that descriptions of this nature are appalling to most people in North America and Europe ... note also that Venezuelans who consider themselves most civilized are engineers, architects, doctors, etc ... the ones that live in the urbanizaciones. My next letter will recount my experiences and discussions with people in a small fishing village in the State of Sucre and some detail as to my present adventures in a small farming village in the southern Venezuelan Andes ... a 26-hour bus ride from Sucre ... even during the gasoline shortage! World News Posted: Thursday, January 2, 2003 ¤ Parents of cloned baby question whether to allow DNA testing Bluff ¤ Whose side are you on, Mr. President? ¤ Egyptian parliament rejects attacking Iraq ¤ Lawyer: Pilots in Afghan bombing had to take drugs ¤ Former Israeli Minister: "We've Become Barbarians" ¤ Israel holding 1,000 Palestinians without trial ¤ Half a Million Afghan Refugees Left Homeless and Cold in Cities ¤ America's role: Let's stick to the facts ¤ Iraq: It's All About Oil ¤ Bush's 'Star Wars' Accused of 'Lies' ¤ Anti-War Organizers Welcome New 'Spirit Of Dissent'... ¤ We Won't Be Fighting for Freedom in Iraq ¤ Iraq accuses US of 'imperialist plot' ¤ Brazil's New President Meets With Chavez ¤ Vietnam Detains Four North Koreans ¤ Iraq slams U.S. for moving more troops to region ¤ Palestinian man returns lost Israeli child to his family ¤ FBI expands terror probe ¤ South Korea, Once a Solid Ally, Now Poses Problems for the U.S. ¤ Australia has no good reason for war and many against ¤ Five rules set by the Kingdom of the Settlements ¤ Lula sworn in as president of Brazil ¤ Brazil's new president says he'll seek to eradicate hunger ¤ Third Democrat poised to join race to take on Bush ¤ Strike on US could 'cripple economy' ¤ US order troops to Gulf, jets strike Iraq radar ¤ Gov't to draft new law to support U.S. in war on Iraq ¤ Change in UN may hit Bush's plans ¤ Rescuers uncertain how many survived ¤ Moscow says monitors must close Chechen office ¤ Applause for Pope's anti-war sermon ¤ The case against war with Iraq ¤ NWFP PA condemns US bombing ¤ Seven Afghans killed in grenade blast ¤ UN experts re-inspect Iraqi missile factory ¤ Fresh Gaza fighting after Israeli troops kill four ¤ Eleven people killed in Ivory Coast army attack ¤ Palestinians subjected to new Israeli technique called 'the lottery' ¤ Pentagon doubles troops in the Gulf ¤ US and Pakistan at odds after GI is shot on border ¤ U.S.,UK warplanes strike Iraqi AGAIN ¤ New president pledges economic growth for Brazil ¤ Israel rules Arab party and its leader out of election ¤ Japan to draft new law to support U.S. in war on Iraq ¤ Chavez Leaves Venezuela: Really? ¤ Israel army's use of Palestinian civilians as human shields draw fire ¤ Pakistani fury at US bombing of border ¤ Yemen interrogation links hospital killings to Islamist cell ¤ Pyongyang calls on Korea to unite against America ¤ Third Democrat poised to join race to take on Bush ¤ Lott and Bush Paid Tribute to a Pawing Lecher ¤ Outsiders get first glimpse of island devastated by storm ¤ University chimp amazes scientists with own 'words' Update : Jan. 02, 2003 Posted: Wednesday, January 1, 2003 Brazil's new President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to aid Venezuelan oil industry Brazil's new president has agreed with Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez Frias to send experienced Brazilian oil executives to break the back of a month-long opposition impasse which has disrupted production and supply at the State-owned oil corporation, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). - by Roy S. Carson, www.vheadline.com Brazil's New President Meets With Chavez and Plans Talks With Fidel Castro - The Associated Press via abcnews Chavez Leaves Venezuela: Really? I find it hard to imagine that really and truly if Chavez is under so much pressure as touted by the AP's one-sided reporting and the Guardian's gullibility to echo AP's propaganda, that he Chavez is resolute enough to travel outside of his country during such dire and desperate circumstances. by Davy de Verteuil Chavez Leaves Venezuela: Really? Posted: Wednesday, January 1, 2003 by Davy de Verteuil Response to: Chavez Leaves Venezuela for Inauguration Dated; Wednesday January 1, 2003 1:50 PM; by (AP) Guardian Unlimited UK I find it hard to imagine that really and truly if Chavez is under so much pressure as touted by the AP's one-sided reporting and the Guardian's gullibility to echo AP's propaganda, that he Chavez is resolute enough to travel outside of his country during such dire and desperate circumstances. Something's just don't mix here and it all shows that the ink from Guardian AP mixed merely lies on paper but does not permeate. It is quite clear to me that the Press in this instance "Venezuela" have sordidly lagged in as many attempts to perpetuating anarchy without its desired goal which is to destabilize and overthrow a constitutionally elected non-elite. I can only relish the satisfaction though uneasy at times considering the constant barrage of mainstream propaganda the frustrations in your every article on the Venezuelan issue (not Crises). Chavez and the Venezuelan people has set a world record 'if you'd like to put it that way' by defeating a well coordinated attempt by/of anarchist that profess to be the Guardians of the free and democratic world by being judiciously lawfully and constitutionally democratic. As in Algeria the French got it undemocratically and brutally their way when their proxy generals aborted elections as in comparison to the west, South/Latin America all the rest have got it wrong while Chavez entrench and retrench. Oppression is loosing its cloak and dagger cover, which makes the manipulative West less successful. This was made clearer with the clear-cut support for genuine democracy when the OAS reps supported Hugo Chavez. The year 2002, I have witnessed democracy to be so humiliating as in the case of Latin and South America for the trumpeters of freedom and democracy. I guess the Spanish language has had more light in discerning truth from falsehood. Perhaps if the Latinos had spoken English, Arabic or French, woe would have been their making. Finally I'd like to congratulate the regional countries and respective governments for the moral and matured response in procuring the freedom and independence of the region and Venezuela in this case against the historically unforgivable forces of repression and destruction in the Americas and the Caribbean. World News Posted: Wednesday, January 1, 2003 ¤ Fireworks blast kills 37 in Mexican gulf port of Vera Cruz ¤ 10 killed in Philippines grenade attack ¤ Iraq invites top UN weapons inspector to Baghdad ¤ Iraq urges Arabs to copy Korean defiance, Bush hopes for peace ¤ Triumph of doublethink in 2003 ¤ America: Hyper-alert, but for what? ¤ Castro in Brazil to Attend Inauguration ¤ Kuwaitis withdraw capital from US ¤ Iraq says civilian centres bombed ¤ Bush wagers on a cut-price victory in Baghdad ¤ Baghdad refuses to surrender hope ¤ Nixon's nuclear ploy ¤ Orwell warned against the kind of lies we are being fed about Iraq ¤ No case for Iraq war, says UN chief ¤ UN inspection teams in Iraq have found "zilch" so far ¤ Al-Qaeda fleet takes terrorist threat to sea ¤ US says al-Qa'ida using cargo ships for future attacks ¤ Assassin singled out American missionaries ¤ UN bows to pressure to cut Iraq's shopping list ¤ US takes heat off North Korea as allies' support cools ¤ Israeli soldiers accused of abuse ¤ Shipment of petrol arrives in shortage-hit Venezuela ¤ Now is the reason for our discontent ¤ US admit bombing Pakistani troops after dispute on Afghan border Update : Jan. 01, 2003 Posted: Wednesday, January 1, 2003 Chavez Leaves Venezuela for Inauguration CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - The embattled Venezuelan president - his rule under threat from turmoil in the strikebound oil-producing nation - left the country Wednesday to attend the inauguration of the new Brazilian president. - AP via Guarduan UK Lula Adept At Check Mating Bush Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, the incoming president of Brazil, is demonstrating an uncanny ability to move forward a progressive agenda while keeping his conservative antagonists at bay. This was clearly demonstrated in his meeting with George W. Bush in Washington on December 10. Pablo Gentili, an Argentine international analyst at the State University of Rio de Janeiro declares: "Da Silva reaped the support of the Bush administration while making it clear that his government will set its own agenda and priorities. He has an extraordinary capacity to build broad support for his left-leaning policies in the face of domestic and international adversity." - by Roger Burbach; December 14, 2002 A Little White Propaganda.. Chavez financed Al Qaeda? High-level military defectors reveal new terrorist links between Al Qaeda and Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez. The man who control's the largest oil reserves in the Western hemisphere gave $1 million to the world's most wanted terrorist right after the 9/11 attacks... www.friendsofliberty.com OK, OK, we know it is not true but the U.S. would like it to be so. |
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