VHeadline News Editor Patrick J. O'Donoghue reports:
The Basic Industries and Mining Ministry (Mibam) has announced that it has no intention of paying artisan miners working in the Caura River basin, who did not take part in the first census and process of one-off bonus payments last year. Mibam mining concessions general director, Rodolfo Vilchez reports that at the end of 2008 one-off bonuses of (Bs.F) 10,000 bolivares were handed out to 5,891 small miners interviewed and verified by the Ministry and who agreed not to continue mining in both the Caura and Caroni river basins. The same miners had the opportunity to receive training in another profession and relocation to other areas of Bolivar State to mine for gold under State control. After the program was completed, Vilchez comments, a group of persons began demanding payment of the bonus, some of them showing tickets the Ministry handed out during the first census in the area, while others were unable to present any time any type of document showing that they have worked as miners or in the protected zone. To pay such claimants, Vilchez suggests, will mean seeking funds outside the special assignment allotted for artisan miners and it would have to pass through the National Assembly. So far the Ministry has handed out 25 credits for equipment and capital to former miners in La Paragua and El Callao to work in tourism, agriculture and services.
There has been some sniping going on inside the National Elections Council (CNE) with director, German Yepez criticizing fellow board member, Vicente Diaz for remarks made about the text of the constitutional amendment referendum. Yepez insists that the wording of the referendum must be presented by the National Assembly (AN) for approval as established in article 341 of the Constitution. The matter has not been discussed inside the CNE, Yepez reveals, because it is up to the National Assembly (AN) to establish the mechanism regarding formulation of the question, which the CNE will then review.
CNE board member, Vicente Diaz has suggested that there should be two questions in the referendum after President Chavez extended the original amendment proposal to include re-election to all public posts. Diaz points out that only Venezuelans will be eligible to vote on the proposal to end term-limits for the presidency, while foreigners resident in Venezuela have the right to vote for ending term-limits to all other elected public posts, according to Article 230 of the Constitution.
National Assembly (AN) deputy, Carlos Escarra has announced that there will only be one question in the upcoming constitutional amendment referendum, which will include the abolishing of term-limits to all elected public posts. The deputy made the announcement during a meeting of pro-government election campaign commands in Carabobo State. The first article of the constitutional amendment, Escarra declares, will establish that all citizens can present themselves for re-election in any elected post, while a second article will establish a modification of the necessary articles to bring the proposal into effect.
President Chavez has called on his followers to confront opposition disinformation on the constitutional amendment. Chavez remarks that the opposition strategy against the amendment has been well thought out and aided by international factors. The President issued the warning and challenge during the swearing in of pro-government campaign commands in Caracas. Lies propagated by the opposition during the constitutional reform campaign in 2007, Chavez complains, have re-appeared again and are succeeding in confusing voters. The President has told followers that if the constitutional amendment is to be achieved, it will depend on government supporters, and not a minute must be lost. The President insists that the campaign should be directed towards fighting for the country's future and not for Chavez.
President Chavez has told his followers that if the constitutional amendment is approved by the population in February, then he will be a pre-candidate for presidential elections in 2012. Chavez says it is not time for him to withdraw from power and he will not accept any blackmail on the part of the opposition whose main campaign centers around accusations that Chavez wants to remain in Miraflores Palace forever. "What I want is for Bolivar's people to remain in power forever." The President argues that he should remain in power for 10 more years.
Commenting on Venezuela's position regarding Israel, President Chavez reveals that Venezuela has been trying to send humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip but the initiative has been blocked. Israel has constructed a wall there, the President declares, and the world is watching idly because behind Israel there is the US Empire. Chavez warns that the war in Gaza and the invasion will generate more violence.
Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) US subsidiary, Citgo has announced that it will keep up its social programs in the USA, especially providing cheap heating oil to low income families. Citgo president, Alejandro Granado made the announcement in Boston at a press conference with Citizens Energy Corporation president, Joseph P. Kennedy II. Granado has confirmed that the company is reviewing all its social programs because of the fall in oil prices but has stated that the flagship of Venezuelan social policy abroad and in the United States will continue. The solidarity program, Granado adds, shows a strong commitment and a great effort on the part of Citgo and shareholders. According to sources, President Chavez himself has intervened in the matter and ordered the program to continue, despite difficulties of falling oil prices and international economic crisis. Kennedy says the announcement represents a clear and direct message from President Chavez about his desire to strengthen relations between Venezuela and the USA, especially when a new US administration is about to be sworn in.
Yesterday, President Chavez opened another Integral Diagnosis Center (CDI) in the Caracas parish of Caricuao bringing the numbers of such centers to 465, currently fully operational. The coordinator of the Cuban medical mission in Venezuela, Aldo Munoz says it represents 83% of the final target to build 600 CBIs. The centers are part of the government's health flagship program, Barrio Adentro and are equipped with high technology equipment and more important still, are free.
Venezuela's charge d'affaires before the United Nations, Julio Escalona has given a speech at the UN Security Council building, highlighting Venezuela's solidarity with the Palestinian cause and repudiating the "genocidal action of the Israeli government." The Ambassador read the official statement issued by the Venezuelan government expelling the Israeli Ambassador in Venezuela and part of the diplomatic staff. Addressing Israel during his speech, Escalona accuses Israel of losing the war on Lebanon in 2006, stating that the Israelis are not invincible and a Nuremberg tribunal is awaiting them to answer charges of war crimes.
During a first round of inspections this year, the Institute for the Defense of Consumers ((Indepabis) has closed 406 supermarkets for pricing products of the basic food basket at higher price than officially stipulated. In some cases, prices have not been marked and the food was found stored in unhealthy conditions. The products sold above official prices are: beef, chicken, sugar, flour, pasta and sardines, among others. Most of the business penalized belong to Chinese traders.
Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick.vheadline@gmail.com
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Venezuela is facing the most difficult period of its history with honest reporters crippled by sectarianism on top of rampant corruption within the administration and beyond, aided and abetted by criminal forces in the US and Spanish governments which cannot accept the sovereignty of the Venezuelan people to decide over their own future.
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