The Venezuelan government has replied to Colombia "thank you, but no thank you" for documents, apparently rescued from the laptop of slain Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) leader, Raul Reyes. In an official communique, Venezuela's Foreign Ministry has announced the return of the documentation received last Friday, stating that it does not recognize any of the documents contained in the diplomatic pouch, adding firmly and clearly that the use of the documents by Colombia and the USA to slander President Chavez and his government will only strain relations between the two neighbors even more and is far removed from the environment of respect that the Venezuelan government is trying to rebuild. The Ministry considers what has been sent as a series of unintelligible and an understandable writings which have been used by unscrupulous media agencies against the Venezuelan President and government. Meanwhile, it is believed that the Venezuelan government is involved with the French in securing the latest initiative to secure the safe release of French-Colombian hostage, Ingrid Betancourt. French President Nicholas Sarkozy has announced that the humanitarian mission has already begun with the sending of representatives from the French, Spanish and Swiss governments to Colombia to talk with the FARC. It has called on the Colombian government to clear the evacuation zone of Colombian army troops and maneuvers.
According to Agriculture & Lands Minister Elias Jaua, the El Frio farm in Apure State will become a socialist production state unity and be subject to programs of environmental preservation started by a biological station, currently covering 60,000 ha. The Minister says there is sufficient elements to argue that the farm is fallow land belonging to the State and the number of animals are far less than should be according to capacity of production on the lands. However, the Minister does recognize the effort made by the private company, Inversiones Venezolanas Ganaderos (Invega) in preservation work over many years and has offered it to continue taking part in the administration of the farm but under the tutelage of the Venezuelan State. Jaua proclaims that farm workers can remain working, be paid by the State and enjoy just conditions. The recovery of the lands will be supported by the National Guard and government officials but the Minister insists that the government wants to reach an agreement with the private company, which had hoped to continue running the ecological part of the farm, while handing over the rest to the government for exploitation.
Executive Vice President, Ramon Carrizalez has stopped building work on the La Carlota airport in central Caracas. The measure comes after the government decided to review plans to develop the only airport inside the city of Caracas. Carrizalez will hold meetings with Culture Minister, Francisco Sesto and Housing Minister, Edith Gomez, as well as other sectors involved in infrastructure work taking place in the area. At the moment, there is a house-building program in place. There are sectors who argue that the airport should continue to be used for aviation purposes, given the fact that emergency situations could take place any time requiring evacuation or arrival of vital aid.
Attorney General, Luisa Ortega Diaz says there is no legal figure that will allow a complete new start to the investigation into the assassination of state prosecutor, Danilo Anderson. The remark comes after the lawyer and state prosecutor, Hernando Contreras called for the annulling the whole legal procedure, accusing former Attorney General Isaias Rodriguez of not conducting a proper investigation. Ortega Diaz points out that Contreras should be well aware of the law. Contreras' turn-around and attack has caused widespread surprise and suspicion. It would appear that Contreras is currently convalescing since December 2007 and Ortega Diaz contends that he has not been removed from his job. Summarizing the investigation so far, the Attorney General maintains that there has never been any talk of nullity and that even during oral and public hearings, the involvement of the material authors of the crime has been demonstrated. As for doubts about the legal acts, Ortega Diaz confirms that they will be looked into. Furthermore, she insists that Contreras has not met with her, much less reported or updated her on the case. Contreras's own performance during investigations will come under scrutiny, it has been revealed. Ortega Diaz admits that some prosecutors have been removed during the course of the investigation but she refused to give expound further for confidentiality reasons.
Five employees of the Venezuelan Institute of Social Security (IVSS) have been charged with acts of corruption and have been remanded in custody. 11th control judge, Shelley Bravo ordered the arrest. IVSS purchases and acquisitions director, Nagdaly Romero, engineer in charge of coordination, Hector Coello, Carlos Omar Salazar, Josefa Medina Rosales and Carmen Zoraida Villarroel stand accused of asking contractors and salesmen for commissions of 25 to 50%. According to IVSS president, Lt. Colonel Carlos Rotondaro, three of the accused were caught in fraganti squeezing a businessman for 100 million bolivares.
Education Minister, Adan Chavez insists that the government is ready to hear and heed suggestions regarding the proposed school curriculum that the government intends to implement. The Minister denies charges that the government is trying to introduce the failed constitutional reform into the curriculum by stealth. The opposition is using the argument, Chavez insists, because the document mentions territorial geometry, which has nothing to do with the new geometry of power as proposed in the constitutional reform ... "we have said so to teachers." The Minister made the statement during an interview on VTV State television. Chavez reports that the document is under review with the aim of improving the proposal and if necessary, some things will be changed, not because they annoy a certain sector of the opposition but because of suggestions made in workshops with teachers. The Catholic Educators Association, (AVEC) has announced that it will only accept what is in accordance with the current Venezuelan Constitution based on democratic principles, freedom of thought and the fundamental principles of the Catholic faith. AVEC vice- president, Maritza Tovar has highlighted the fact that AVEC agrees with many aspects of the proposal and brushes aside criticism from other sectors that the organization is seeking an agreement because it receives State subsidies.
Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick.vheadline@gmail.com
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