Chavez Claims Anti-Venezuela Campaign

AP ^ | March 9, 2003 | STEPHEN IXER

[Indy Pendance]

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- President Hugo Chavez claimed Sunday an international campaign involving the United States was trying to discredit his government and he warned other countries not to be fooled by the so-called smear tactics.

"There are still newspaper headlines in various parts of the world (and) officials from some governments ... that are spreading lies," said Chavez, who has been fighting a national movement attempting to force him to resign or call early elections.

The opposition claims Chavez has undermined the country's democracy and hurt the economy.

Last week, local media published a letter signed by seven U.S. congressmen calling on Chavez to refrain from persecuting his opponents and investigate the recent murders of dissident soldiers.

Days later, Caracas police arrested a man in connection with the killings of three dissident soldiers and an anti-government activist whose bound, tortured bodies were found last month. Detectives said the deaths were not politically motivated.

Chavez said the letter was drafted by foes using their "great lobbying power" backed up by "unethical" Venezuelan media outlets to fool U.S. legislators.

"They don't know this land or anything about what is really happening here," Chavez said. "Some lobbyists go there, write them a letter and get them to say some lies that make them look ridiculous in front of the whole world. But everyone is free to look ridiculous."

U.S. officials could not be reached for comment Sunday.

Two weeks ago, Chavez strongly criticized the United States, Spain and Colombia for allegedly meddling in Venezuela's domestic affairs. Within days, bombs ripped through the Spanish and Colombian diplomatic missions in Caracas.

The U.S. Embassy later closed temporarily because of a security threat. No one has been arrested for the bombings.

Meanwhile, Chavez opponents from Washington to Atlanta to Santiago, Chile, marched Sunday.

Venezuela is trying to emerge from a failed two-month general strike against Chavez. The protest, which ended last month, was strongest in the oil industry, the source of half of government revenues and 80 percent of export earnings.

Venezuela was the world's fifth-largest oil exporter before the strike began Dec. 2 and still is importing gasoline because of difficulties in bringing refineries back online.

The Organization of American States and other mediators so far have failed to advance peace talks.

Chavez, who was first elected in 1998 and re-elected in 2000, says his foes want to replace him with the old status quo, when an elite minority held power for decades.

[Indy Pendance]

ping

[friendly]

Chavez and the Cuban secret police now running the country would have you believe that the Venezuelan freedom fighters bombed the embassies of their allies and supporters.

RRRRRRRIGHT!

I think when the Iraqi troops have finished surrendering (which is soon, since they already are giving up to the British and Kurds) it may be time to look seriously at this butt-ugly dictator.

[The Old Hoosier]

Who were the congressmen?

[backhoe]

-Time to kick the tires & light the fires, folks- terrorism gathers across the World...--

[Numbers Guy]

President Hugo Chavez claimed Sunday an international campaign involving the United States was trying to discredit his government

Oh Hugoooooo . . . you're next . . .

[Indy Pendance]

Venezuela, Colombia?, and the Phillipines (Indonesia) are hotbeds of terrorism.

[Indy Pendance]

I don't know. Maybe Cincinatus' Wife has details. I'm just now getting up to speed on this issue.

[Indy Pendance]

You are so resourceful! Thanks

[winner3000]

We need to be proactive in Venezuela. A country that is not rich in natural resources can be hoped to eventually become democratic on its own after its marxist leadership has messed up enough times (notable exception: Cuba). However, a country that is rich in natural resources, be it oil or diamonds, has the wherewithal to stick around as a dictatorship for a long time. It is now when the regime is weak that the US can affect change, before revenues from oil empower it to totally snuff out all opposition.

[friendly]

If Chavez is stupid enough to harbor terrorists (and he IS stupid enough) then this is a violation of the Bush American Defense Doctrine (Nations that harbor terrorists who attack the US are subject to attack).

[ChadGore]

Communism is good thing. Jut ignore the jackboot thugs imposing it.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[optimistically_conservative]

wait, where was the "populist" tag before Chavez's name? Don't tell me the lefty media is starting to get a little worried about Chavez.

[Itzlzha]

Days later, Caracas police arrested a man in connection with the killings of three dissident soldiers and an anti-government activist whose bound, tortured bodies were found last month. Detectives said the deaths were not politically motivated.

Obvious graduates of the "Fidel Castro School of Detective Work" in Mena, Arkansas!

Next, the deaths will be ruled a "Suicide"....

[Paleo Conservative]

If Chavez is stupid enough to harbor terrorists (and he IS stupid enough) then this is a violation of the Bush American Defense Doctrine (Nations that harbor terrorists who attack the US are subject to attack).

Our bombers could even operate from their home bases in the US. Hell, I think we may have found a replacement for Vieques.

[friendly]

The Cuban secret police who now run Venezuela have found a suspect?

Some poor innocent soul who will die in prison, for sure.

[friendly]

Time to go bye bye Hugo!

[hoosierham]

Chavez has announced for all with eyes to see, and ears to hear, that he IS an evil man because he turned to those who wantonly oppress their people for assistance in oppressing the people of Venezuala.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

"There are still newspaper headlines in various parts of the world (and) officials from some governments ... that are spreading lies," said Chavez, who has been fighting a national movement attempting to force him to resign or call early elections.

Right, like the "lies" told about Castro for the last 40 odd years.

Bump!