President Chavez has says he will review investments in European Union countries that implement a directive adopted by the European Union (EU) parliament against illegal immigrants. During a joint press conference with President-elect of Paraguay, Fernando Lugo, President Chavez has warned countries adopting the measure, they may well not receive Venezuelan oil. Chavez expresses the hope that European governments will reject the measure and if they do apply it, Chavez quips, why hold any more summits with the European Union. Reactions from Spain have been immediate. Apparently, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos has been appointed to inform Chavez about the new EU directive as a means of clarification. The EU foreign affairs representative, Javier Solana dubs Chavez' announcement "completely disproportionate." United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) vice president, Alberto Muller Rojas has outlined the method the Patriotic Alliance (AP) will use to reach alliances and tactical agreements about candidates in the upcoming regional elections on November 23. The method, he states, will have four stages: agreement about candidates on which there is unanimity, agreement on candidates supported by several parties but on which there is no unanimity, possible agreements using the method of soundings, polls and discussion groups and finally, defining unilateral candidacies. The General says there is consensus but not agreement on candidates to state governorships. However, all parties support PSUV candidates to 9 States. As regards candidacies to municipalities, Muller Rojas announces that candidates will be made known in each state.
The president of the Francisco Garcia de Hevia cooperative in Tachira, Hector Omar Arias Gonzalez has been arrested for alleged unlawful appropriation of 2.5 million bolivares granted by the agricultural, fishery, and forestry fund (Fondafa). The money was supposed to be used for agricultural and fish farming projects on the La Loya and Rancho Grande farms. In August 2006, Fondafa handed out the following funds to the cooperative to buy cattle (1.9 million bolivares), , fish farming (Bs. F 606, 348), 10, 743 for worm cultivation and the rest for materials, equipment and infrastructure works. Investigations proved that no money was put into the project, remaining instead in the personal account of the cooperative president.
In a surprise announcement, President Chavez has appointed Spanish-born Minister of Culture, Francisco Sesto as Minister of Housing & Habitat. A week ago, the Minister of Housing & Habitat, Edith Gomez was removed without any official explanation and the first choice replacement was former Housing Minister and current Executive Vice President, Ramon Carrizalez. The choice of Sesto has surprised pundits and they claim that the housing problems that have beset the government have not yet been solved.
Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick.vheadline@gmail.com
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