Human Posted January 19, 2005 Report Share Posted January 19, 2005 With President Chavez thinking that he can destabilize other countries with in the Latin American Region by harboring terrorists, then he is sadly mistaken. What this will do in the future is making our neighbors safer in the long run ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/20050...01/s1282706.htm Colombia refuses to apologise over Venezuelan kidnap row Colombian President Alvaro Uribe offered on Saturday to meet his Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chavez, to discuss a widening diplomatic dispute over the covert capture of a top Colombian rebel in Venezuela. Venezuela this week recalled its ambassador from Bogota to protest last month's Colombian police operation, which it says violated sovereignty by abducting the rebel chief from Caracas. Mr Chavez froze bilateral economic projects on Friday between the trade partners and demanded a public apology. Far from apologising, Colombia late on Friday defended the December 13 capture of Rodrigo Granda, foreign-relations chief of the Colombian leftist FARC rebel group which has fought a four-decades-old war against the Government. Both Bogota and Washington call the FARC a terrorist group. Mr Uribe, a staunch ally of the US global campaign against terrorism, signalled on Saturday he was ready to talk to Mr Chavez, a fiery nationalist hailed by Latin America's left as a standard-bearer against US "imperialism". Analysts said the deadlock reflected the conflicting positions of Mr Uribe and Mr Chavez toward US policies on regional security and counter-terrorism. "President Uribe would be ready to discuss the issue (of Granda's capture) in a multilateral presidential summit," a high-ranking Colombian official, who asked not to be named, told Reuters in Bogota. The source said the meeting could be at a regional forum, such as the Ibero-American Group or the Andean Community of Nations, in which other leaders could take part. Mr Chavez denies US and Colombian charges he shelters the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia). He says Colombia committed a crime by bribing members of an elite Venezuelan National Guard anti-kidnap squad to snatch Granda from the heart of Caracas. Five Venezuelan national guards have been arrested for handing Granda over to Colombia for a reward. "Let's hope the Colombian president reconsiders and doesn't end up supporting a crime ... behaving very much like the United States government," Mr Chavez said late Friday. While Mr Chavez did not break diplomatic ties with Bogota, his sanctions may threaten future trade. Venezuela, the world's fifth largest oil exporter, is Colombia's second-largest export market, with bilateral trade totalling about $US2.4 billion last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Human Posted January 29, 2005 Report Share Posted January 29, 2005 I really do wonder WHY the Democrats tend to lean towards people like Chavez as well as other Leaders that are opposed to Democracy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.vcrisis.com/index.php?content=l...rs/200501170904 In the case of Senator Dodd, his behavior with Chavez should come as no surprise. Just as in the 1980s, when Dodd and Senator Kerry led the opposition to US funding of the Nicaraguan Contras, Dodd has always favored lefty strongmen or radical forces in Latin America, rather than their democratic or pro-market opponents. Dodd was a prime critic of the government of El Salvador when it was under attack from Marxist rebels supplied and funded by the Sandinistas in Nicaragua. Had the rebels won their fight, Dodd would undoubtedly have been the first US Senator to visit them. Dodd has been the leader of a group in the Congress that can be best described as anti-anti-Communists when it comes to Latin America. While the scourge of Communism (though not authoritarianism) may be dead in Russia and some of its former satellites and former republics in the USSR, in Latin America, the Marxist struggle lives on in many countries. One can read about it in indymedia.com, which is of course always sympathetic to the cause. Dodd is not up for re-election in 2006, and will likely face no political fallout for his actions. He is a Democratic Senator in what has become a fairly safe blue state. But his two other fellow travelers on the trip to Caracas are another story. Lincoln Chafee is the leading member of the RINO club in the Senate - Republicans in Name Only. He was elected off the strength of the affection his state's voters still hold for his father, John Chafee, who served honorably in many government capacities for many years. In the 2004 election, Lincoln Chafee refused to vote for President Bush, instead writing in the name of Bush's father. Chafee will run for re-election for his seat in 2006. Rhode Island is perhaps the country's most safely Democratic state. Only somebody named Chafee can win there as a Republican. By behaving like a Democrat, Chafee may preserve his seat and discourage opposition from Patrick Kennedy and others. Maybe Senator Dodd will tell his fellow Democrats to go easy on him, since a maverick Republican may be more embarrassing to Bush than one more robotic opposition Democrat. Coddling Communist dictators might strengthen Chafee's appeal among the DailyKos crowd. The endangered species in this story may be Florida's Senator Bill Nelson. Nelson won his seat narrowly in 2000, and will face a tough re-election battle in 2006 in a state that leans Republican. Governor Jeb Bush might challenge him. So might Congresswoman Katherine Harris. President Bush won the state by 5% in 2004. Jeb won re-election by 13% in 2002, and Republican Mel Martinez was just elected Senator for the open seat vacated by Bob Graham in November (the first Cuban-American in the Senate). Nelson making nice with Chavez may play well in the New York Times, but might not play so well among Florida's large Cuban-American population, which remains very hostile to Cuba’s government and Marxism. Many other Latin Americans, who have migrated to Florida, also might not be so high on Chavez, regardless of their political affiliations. Unlike the drawing room leftists and media demagogues who pilloried John Ashcroft, many Latin American immigrants have a first-hand acquaintance with political repression, and do not suffer fools gladly, when they are blind to the consequences of playing kissy-face with dictators. Much like the recent Democratic Senate candidate in the state, Betty Castor, who handed Mel Martinez a giant gift by her record of support for terrorist Professor Sami Al Arian when she served as President of the University of South Florida, Nelson may have just provided some fodder for his challenger in 2006. Senator Dodd did not need political cover for his behavior. He has always been first to embrace Latin dictators, so long as they lean to the left. But he may have endangered one of the few remaining Southern Democratic Senators, by bringing Bill Nelson along for his trip. As Chavez inevitably becomes more of a thug and more hostile to America, the past week's photos of Nelson coddling him will find their way into the campaign, with consequences for Democrats' hopes to regain control of the Senate. For far too long, Republicans and the MSM have ignored an unfolding tragedy, a Twentieth Century story reappearing in the Twenty-first, in which a nation and a people slip away into Marxist tyranny. Reagan-era triumphalism may have blinded us to the ability of Communism seemingly to rise from the dead, like a blood-sucking vampire. It is well past time for America to go on the offensive against the spread of Communist tyranny in the Western Hemisphere. George W. Bush and the GOP should be no less vigilant on this score than was his predecessor John F. Kennedy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Human Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 The Continuing Saga of the Terrorist that got caught. The President "Chavez" that loves him ,and Columbians who are correct in nabbing the terrorist. I would LOVE to know what is going through Chavez's mind (in thinking that Columbia was wrong in trying to stop terrorism?) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=4073999 Venezuela-Colombia Crisis Threatens Regional Stability A meeting this week between Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is key to ensuring that Colombian leftist rebels are denied sanctuary in the neighbouring country, Uribe’s spokesman says. A dispute between the two countries over Colombian insurgents threatens to destabilise the region. Despite Colombia’s claims on Friday that the dispute has been overcome, Venezuela’s sanctions remain in place. The dispute erupted after bounty hunters paid by Colombia captured Colombian rebel Rodrigo Granda in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, in December and handed him over to Colombian authorities at the border. Chavez denounced the ”kidnapping” as a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty. The capture of Granda, who had been living in Venezuela for several years, brought to the surface long-festering suspicions among Colombians that Venezuela under the leftist Chavez is sheltering Colombian rebels. Granda belongs to the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which has been branded a terrorist organisation by the EU and the US. The FARC has been battling for almost 40 years to topple Colombia’s government and establish a Marxist-style state. Ricardo Galan, Uribe’s spokesman, said Thursday’s meeting in Caracas between the presidents would be pivotal. “For Colombia, it is very important that Venezuela fights jointly against terrorism,” Galan said. “It is important that Venezuela make a serious commitment.” Galan said Colombia wants Venezuela to expedite bringing suspected Colombian rebels in the neighbouring country to justice, saying current mechanisms “are not agile.” Despite conciliatory comments by Venezuelan and Colombian officials over the weekend, Chavez said on Sunday that the dispute has not been resolved. Venezuela’s freezing of commercial agreements between the two governments remains in place, a Venezuelan government official said yesterday in Caracas. Several Latin American governments have tried to resolve the worst row between the neighbouring countries in decades. In a rare display of diplomacy to settle an international dispute, Cuba was also heavily involved. Uribe personally contacted Cuban President Fidel Castro, asking him to help Colombia and Venezuela resolve their problems. “President Uribe spoke with Fidel,” Galan said, adding that Colombia also has sought the help of Mexican President Vicente Fox, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Peru, which chairs the Andean Community. Both Colombia and Venezuela are members of the Andean bloc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest beal Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 Dodd has always favored lefty strongmen or radical forces in Latin America, rather than their democratic or pro-market opponents. Like father, like son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Human Posted February 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2005 It's getting worse. It seems that President Chavez really wants to crank up the heat "Venezuela buys Russian military helicopters and 100,000 rifles." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005.../02/10/050.html America Chides Venezuela for Russian Weapons Deal CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuela defended its purchase of new Russian weapons after a top U.S. official said Washington was concerned the arms could fall into the hands of illegal groups operating in the region. Venezuela's Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel rejected U.S. criticism of the deal to buy Russian military helicopters and 100,000 rifles, which he said were part of a policy to strengthen the nation's frontier defense. Venezuela, the world's No. 5 oil exporter, is a top fuel supplier to the United States. But relations between Caracas and Washington have soured since left-wing President Hugo Chavez came to power six years ago. "Venezuela is supplying its armed forces for the priority of national defense," Rangel said in a statement. "This policy is a concern only for the Venezuelan people and the nation's institutions. The destination of these weapons is guaranteed." His statement was in response to comments by Roger Noriega, U.S. assistant secretary of state for the Western Hemisphere, who told CNN's Spanish-language service that Washington worried the arms may end up with groups such as Colombia's Marxist FARC rebels. Close ties between Chavez and Cuban leader Fidel Castro have rattled Washington, which criticizes the Venezuelan president's populist policies. Former army officer Chavez, in return, accuses the U.S. of backing attempts to topple him, including a 2002 coup, and presents himself as an alternative to U.S. regional influence. A fierce critic of U.S. President George W. Bush, Chavez often rejects charges from Bogota and Washington that his government has allowed Marxist Colombian rebels to take shelter in Venezuela. But relations between Venezuela and the U.S. tumbled to a low last year, when Chavez accused Washington of masterminding the kidnapping of a Colombian rebel leader. Venezuela says Rodrigo Granda was snatched in Caracas by Venezuelan soldiers paid by Bogota. Chavez has demanded an apology from Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe, a U.S. ally, but Colombia says the capture was a legitimate arrest of a terrorist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Human Posted February 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 It seems that President Chavez does not like a FREE NET or a FREE PRESS here in the United States. (by the way, You "President Chavez" can't change the facts just because they don't favor you). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-02/...ent_2603481.htm Venezuela accuses US of discrediting, isolating Chavez www.chinaviewspam 2005-02-22 10:51:47 CARACAS, Feb. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- The Venezuelan government on Monday accused the United States of waging a "dirty war" of propaganda to discredit and isolate President Hugo Chavez, and said it would report the case to the Organization of American States (OAS) this week. US officials and some media are trying to isolate Chavez in theinternational community, Information Minister Andres Izarra told apress conference, in response to recent harsh anti-Chavez statements from Washington. The statements branded the Venezuelan leader a threat to regional stability and criticized his government. "All these statements together are part of a clear policy," Izarra said. "This is a campaign from the United States to isolateand discredit the Venezuelan government." He said Foreign Minister Ali Rodriguez would travel to the United States this week to present Venezuela's case before the OAS. However, he said, "Venezuela is not pursuing or considering anymeasure to cut oil supplies to the United States." Chavez accused the US government on Sunday of plotting to kill him, and warned Washington that Venezuelan oil shipments would be threatened if he suffered any injuries. Enditem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Human Posted February 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2005 I also forgot to add that it was Fidel castro who put fourth that foolish 'well more like incredibly stupid' idea about an assasination plot. The fact that you "President Chavez" believed it, does make me question whether you are up to the job as being a leader of a Country. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12240...7-38199,00.html VENEZUELA'S President Hugo Chavez, adding to his growing barrage of charges against the United States, accused the George W. Bush administration of plotting his assassination and thanked his Cuban ally Fidel Castro for warning him of about it. "Thank you, Fidel. Really, there are rumors, (but) they are not going to pull it off, my dear friend. I am going to make it to old age like you," Chavez said late Saturday on a visit to Miranda state. Castro had said earlier Saturday that Bush's government likely would be behind a plan to kill the leftist-populist Chavez, whose country is a top US oil supplier. "If they kill Chavez it will be the responsibility of president George W. Bush", Castro said, quoted by the official Cuban news agency Prensa Latina. Castro cited his experience as someone "who has survived hundred's of the Empire's (US) assassination plots." The Cuban president, who leads the Americas' only communist government, made the remark at an international conference of economists in Havana. Chavez repeatedly has accused the United States of funding the opposition to try to pry him from office, and of having played a key role in the failed coup that removed him from power for two days in April 2002. Washington has shrugged off the accusations and slams Chavez, who is elected, for his close association with Castro, who leads a one-party regime. Also Saturday Chavez lashed out at the United States and warned it against meddling in Venezuelan affairs after the US ambassador was critical of Caracas' plans to purchase arms from Russia. "They are not the owners of the world, and their ambassadors here or anywhere in the world should show respect for the sovereignty of every country," Chavez said in Miranda. He slammed remarks by US ambassador William Brownfield, who in Friday said Venezuela's purchase of 100,000 AK-47 rifles and 40 Russian helicopters was "not transparent." "He is not here to be voicing these opinions. I can ask him or any other ambassador in Venezuela not to meddle in our domestic affairs, because you have to ask if there is transparency in the invasion of Iraq," Chavez said. "The world knows that president (George W.) Bush told a bold-faced lie saying that there were chemical weapons in Iraq that were threatening the world. And there the United States still is, bombing cities, killing children," Chavez said. He added that the United States would not have objected "if we had bought the (weapons) from them; then they would be happy." Cuba and Venezuela in October 2000 inked a cooperation pact that under which Caracas supplied Cuba with 53,000 barrels of oil a day, which has been crucial to keeping Cuba's severely strained economy afloat. Cuba in turn has boosted its cooperation with Venezuela, sending thousands of Cuban teachers for a literacy campaign, doctors and sports coaches to work there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Axel Posted February 24, 2005 Report Share Posted February 24, 2005 Why does Russia seem to be supplying weapons to all our enemies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Human Posted February 25, 2005 Report Share Posted February 25, 2005 Some in Russia are still angry that the United States helped in the Break up in the old Soviet Union; others are also sending a message that they are still major players in the region. While others are positioning themselves in the "old game" of "who has the power". In Latin America Chavez wants to turn ALL of Latin America, as well as Central America into a Marxist Culture, and that is something the Soviets tried and failed at. With Chavez the Russians see a real opportunity in achieving what they could not. There is also an anti American hatred in South America, and some of the Countries there are warming up to Iran, and Syria.<~~~~~ This is very bad for the United States.(I can honestly say that all of this scares me.) It's a real mess South of the Boarder.<----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This is basicly the short answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Human Posted March 1, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2005 It keeps on getting worse. February 28, 2005 Colombia Rebels Deny Kidnapping Paraguayan ASSOCIATED PRESS BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - Colombia's main Marxist rebel group denied allegations it took part the kidnapping and murder of a former Paraguayan president's daughter. "The FARC had nothing to do with this lamentable act," Raul Reyes, a spokesman for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known by its Spanish acronym FARC, said in an interview posted late Sunday on a Web site closely tied to the rebels. Reyes' comments came after Paraguayan Attorney General Oscar Latorre earlier this month linked Rodrigo Granda, a senior FARC commander, to the kidnapping of Cecilia Cubas, 32, the daughter of former Paraguayan President Raul Cubas. Cecilia Cubas' body was found Feb. 16, some five months after she was kidnapped. The high-profile kidnapping shocked Paraguayans and raised fears that crime in the landlocked South American country was spiraling further out of hand Latorre said Granda, who was living in Venezuela until his arrest in December, had exchanged e-mails with Oscar Martinez, a Paraguayan leftist arrested on suspicion of masterminding Cubas' abduction, in which the two discussed the kidnapping. Martinez denies involvement but acknowledges meeting Granda, who is currently jailed in Colombia on charges of rebellion. Reyes said the FARC, which has been waging war on the Colombian government for 40 years, maintains only "political relations" with Paraguayan leftists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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