President Chavez has responded to a petition by 25 US Republican congress members to have Venezuela placed on the list of countries supporting terrorism. Top of the list, Chavez retorts, is the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush, who should include himself on the list. US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice says her country has no problems with any neighbors in Latin America but insists that the US government is investigating links between Venezuela and Iran. Although it is unlikely that the motion will go through Congress, if passed, it would put Venezuela in the same category as Syria, North Korea, Iran and Cuba and see a freeze on its assets in the US along with a ban on more trade items.
Communication & Information (Minci) Minister, Andres Izarra has handed out around 69 production units to community televisions based in 11 States. Minister Izarra says the idea is to boost the national system of popular and alternative communication. Speaking to assembled beneficiaries, the Minister states the importance of creating consciousness among the local population that will prepare a new culture as well as attacking the daily problems that their communities face, such as shortages and health. One of the tasks of the new alternative media is to highlight the values of solidarity and fight against egoism and treachery. Independent community producer, Efren Aguirre says he has been waiting three years for government aid and welcomes the Minister's attempt to put community and alternative media on the media map. The beneficiaries are the following: Camunare Rojo (Yaracuy), Canal Z and Quijote TV (Zulia), Catia TV (Caracas), Montana TV and Jaureguina, (Tachira), Lara TV (Lara), Selva TV (Amazonas), Teletambores (Aragua), TV Puerto (Anzoategui), Coro TV (Falcon), Carlos Arvelo (Carabobo) and TV Petare and Telecimarron (Miranda).
Minister Izarra has criticized the media offensive currently raging against Venezuela within the framework of fourth generation warfare (4GW). The Minister points to the video in which Maracaibo Mayor, Gian Carlo di Martino is supposedly handing logistic aid to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), insisting that it should be taken as part of the 4GW campaign.
During a meeting with community & alternative media activists organized by Communication & Information (Minci) Minister, Andres Izarra, President Chavez has told the audience via a phone call that they should criticize the government, its ministers and even the President himself. Commenting on an editorial by the pro-government Vea newspaper, the President insists that 80% of success in implementing a policy consists of communications. "The battle for the truth that we are fighting is for the dignity and the future of our youth." The President has promised to continue supplying equipment so that the alternative media can become a real communications system in the hands of the people.
According to the Interior & Justice (MIJ) Minister, Ramon Rodriguez Chacin, crime in Caracas has dropped 67% and 48% in the rest of the country. The Minister made the statement during a ceremony transferring the running of the Metropolitan Police from the Caracas Metro Mayor's Office to the MIJ. Rodriguez Chacin slams the private media for putting a blanket over government efforts to confront common crime. "It shows that the problem of insecurity is not a real concern of the (opposition media) but has been used for political purposes." The Minister insists that the success in the crime drop is down to efforts of Venezuelans and there is no need to bring in foreigners, " telling us how to solve our own problems." The Minister was alluding to the presence of the former New York Police chief, Bill Bratton several years ago to help combat crime in Caracas. The Minister has reaffirmed accusations by President Chavez that paramilitary elements from Colombia are setting up crime organizations to promote drug-trafficking and homicides to damage the Venezuelan government's image abroad and at home.
Shipping businessman, Wilmer Ruperti has withdrawn legal action for defamation against Reporte Economico newspaper editor, Father Jose Palmar. The clergyman has also presented proof that frees the businessman of accusations of over-pricing in transporting oil, double identity and threatening an oil stoppage. Palmar's original accusation is based on a document from Miraflores Palace dated 2006, requesting an investigation into presumed over-pricing on the part of one of Ruperti's companies. Yesterday, the clergyman presented another document from the Comptroller General's Office General dated 2005 showing that the investigation had concluded in Ruperti's favor! However, Palmar insists he will continue to denounce irregularities and corruption in the oil industry. The clergyman has been a strong critic of the current Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). This climb- down, however, has blown a hole in his credibility.
According to Passport & Identification Office (Onidex) general director, Jose Javier Morales, the government has assigned $72 million for an electronic ID system. The conventional ID card, Morales argues, will become electronic creating greater identity security and of course, incorporating other services. The new card will have a chip and a polycarbonate covering. Within the short term, Morales states, an auction will be opened on the international market to obtain the best electronic document provider. Cuba will also benefit from the ID card project after it was presented and approved at the seventh meeting of the Cuba-Venezuela mixed committee within the framework of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (Alba).
Patrick O'Donoghue
patrick.vheadline@gmail.com
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