Chavez bid to mediate Libya conflict dims further with official's indictment

Christian Science Monitor ^ | Monday, March 7, 2011 | Andres Cala

[SunkenCiv]

In yet another setback to Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez's efforts to mediate a peaceful resolution to Libyan hostilities, a Spanish court on Monday indicted a high-ranking Venezuelan official, originally from Spain, as one of the leaders of the terrorist organization ETA.

While the court proceedings are unrelated to unrest in Libya, Mr. Chávez's credentials as a possible peace broker are sure to come more into question as evidence mounts that his government is harboring and protecting international terrorists. Indeed, Chávez has personally ruled out extradition of the alleged terrorist leader...

Libyan strongman Muammar Qaddafi also played down Chavez's plan in an interview with French TV broadcast Sunday. “There is no problem here. This mediation does not exist for the moment. What we need is to get rid of these armed gangs."

Venezuelan officials, starting with Chávez, have pitched several names to lead the commission, from former President Jimmy Carter to former Brazilian President Lula da Silva, but the plan has had little traction. Officials and analysts alike suspect it's another of Chávez's rhetorical calls for attention. Libyan rebels have also said they haven't even been contacted about Chávez's plan...

Arturo Cubillas, a Basque militant who fled to Venezuela more than two decades ago, was naturalized in 2003 and has worked as head of security of the Agriculture Ministry since 2005.

[SunkenCiv]

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez speaks during a meeting with representatives of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas on March 4. [Miraflores Palace/Reuters]

[SunkenCiv]

But other than that...

Chavez suggests Jimmy Carter or Lula as the mediator.

[SunkenCiv]

Lugar is right, but he needs to keep his mouth shut. Showing that even a RINO won't support US intervention in Libya gives Zero an alibi and scapegoat.

• Sen. Lugar on Libya: I believe it's a civil war and the US should not intervene in a civil war

[SunkenCiv]

• Libya unrest: [London mayor] Boris Johnson cautions against military action
• Petraeus, Gates caught joking about Libya

[WellyP]

“Hogo” is looking really bad! When does he pop?

[VeniVidiVici]

Of course I am qualified to mediate between the opposing sides in Libya. I once was able to suck a piece of spaghetti up into my nose from my mouth and play "Dixie" with it.