During his Sunday radio address, President Chavez has called on Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) leader, Alfonso Cano to free all hostages without asking for anything in return. In a surprise intervention, Chavez argues that there is no justification for keeping groups of people in the hills and it's time the FARC free the civilians and military they are holding as a great humanitarian gesture. It could be the first step towards what everybody wishes, Chavez continues, namely an end to the war in Colombia. According to the President, the time of guerrilla movements is over in South America and the FARC should know that they have become an excuse for the Empire to threaten all South American countries. The day that there is peace in Colombia, Chavez concludes, will be the day that the Empire has no more excuses especially regarding terrorism. The BBC has spun the story as a complete change of face on the part of Chavez, who only a month ago was calling for the FARC to be recognized as a belligerent force. During the program, Chavez has highlighted the strategic importance of regional elections in November and warns that US imperialism has plans to help the opposition win the elections, especially in coastal States such as Zulia and Falcon. In Curacao, which lies off the Falcon coast, Chavez insists imperialism mounts threats against Venezuela and he points to the location of the Paraguana refinery, which is the biggest refinery in the world, adding the existence of important oil and gas deposits in the Gulf of Venezuela, off Zulia. In November, Chavez told listeners, it's not just a question of electing new authorities but the future of the country is at play. Chavez admits that the opposition could win some states and municipalities but they will not be able to stop the revolution from going ahead.
Chavez also admits that he jumped the gun somewhat regarding the new law of intelligence and counterintelligence. During the program, he states that corrections must be made to the law to avoid the government and the State from stepping on people's human rights. The President made a promise that the freedoms of nobody in Venezuela will be trod upon because of their political position. The rectification presidential took some of his followers by surprise especially party hacks who have been defending the law against all comers and uncritically.
The Sunday radio address was made 20 km. south of Coro (Falcon) where a stone-crushing plant was inaugurated.
During the program, Chavez took a little ride on one of the bicycles currently being produced in Venezuela in cooperation with an Iranian company. Venezuela has invested $2 million in the company to Iran's $1.5 million and the aim is to produce 100,000 bicycles a year.
The new intelligence and counterintelligence law has come has come under severe criticism both from opposition and government sections, especially for one article that refers to situations whereby a citizen who refuses to collaborate with intelligence agencies could be charged and penalized. Former Attorney General, Javier Elechiguerra criticizes the law for violating presumed innocence and due process which, he clarifies, is the guarantee that every person is innocent until proved guilty and has the right to defense and access to a lawyer. The lawyer also compares Article 22 to the US Patriot Law based on the idea that the threat to commit a crime justifies any action on the part of the State. President Chavez has promised to review and change the offending articles.
Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) US subsidiary, CITGO Petroleum has organized a new initiative in Houston offering business opportunities to small business sectors. According to CITGO president, Alejandro Granados, the sector consisting of women's groups African-Americans and Latinos will be offered participation in the company to cover services and material needs of CITGO. Granada says the company is teaching minority groups how to access CITGO and embark on solid business ventures with the company. The groups are encouraged to organize themselves into cooperatives.
Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick.vheadline@gmail.com
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