VHeadline News Editor Patrick J. O'Donoghue reports:
On arriving in Belem (Brazil) to attend the ninth World Social Forum, President Chavez says Venezuela has given birth to a new constitutional doctrine, which is imposing itself on the continent and its characteristic is the voice of peoples and not domestic bourgeoisies. Chavez calls the choice of the forum in North Eastern Brazil as significant because it is symbolic of a strategic region where the Amazon has great reserves of water and biosphere for the whole planet. Chavez adds that the forum is taking place within the framework of a world crisis of the capitalist model and cited the words of Chiapas (Mexico) Zapatista Sub-commander Marcos that the WSF is a nest of hope. "The forum should launch a new mental and ideological orientation and move towards a political, ideological and economic offensive throughout the world."
Executive Vice President Ramon Carrizalez has hit out against private-sector importers, alleging that even after obtaining exchange facilities to import, the majority have not complied with supplying black beans. Carrizalez connects the failure to a campaign against the constitutional amendment. Last year 2008, the Vice President recalls, the private sector was given licenses to import about 70,000 tonnes of black beans. Venezuela currently consumes around 80,000. "The permits were granted, dollars made available but the importers have not brought in the full quota of beans and stopped bringing in 37,000 tonnes." Private media sources, Carrizalez condemns, are taking part in the campaign against basic food supplies and the amendment because they have become political parties, just like the business organizations. "What they want is to give an image of non-governance in the country."
National Assembly (AN) secretary, Ivan Zerpa has discovered and raised questions about a new trip of opposition leaders, this time to New Mexico (USA). Zerpa says he does not oppose the trip as such but queries the way some sectors of the opposition are trying to hide such initiatives from the public domain. Among those traveling to the USA supposedly for a meeting with US politicians and spin doctors are: Radio Caracas Television International owner, Marcel Granier, Christian Socialist (COPEI) general secretary, Ignacio Planas, and COPEI dinosaur, Eduardo Fernandez, along with two others.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro has announced that 25 National Assembly deputies will visit key countries throughout the world to explain the constitutional amendment.
During a special operation after a re-launch of the government's "zero contraband" plan, IRS/Seniat agents say they have discovered around 534 containers "legally abandoned" in several warehouses situated in western Venezuela's Puerto Cabello customs area. The agents discovered merchandise, such as semi-automatic washing machines, motor oil, valves, auto spare parts, heavy machinery, wooden doors, babies' nappies, personal health articles, and shoes. Motorbikes and luxury cars were also discovered during the search and a spokesman announces that there will be a daily revision to avoid such anomalies. IRS/Seniat director, Jose David Cabello has promised to install 24-hour work shifts, daily double checks, control of ships entering port and constant vigilance of customs staff.
Writing in his "Line Drives" column, President Chavez titles it: The Cavalry and starts off highlighting the revolutionary offensive that continues with increasing fervor, pointing to visits he made to San Cristobal (Tachira) and Valencia (Carabobo). Meetings with the different electoral units, Chavez relates, were passionate and full of pedagogical content ... he was able to see the advances made in the campaign during the fourth and final phase. Before leaving to attend the World Social Forum and to talk with Brazilian President, Lula De Silva, the President writes that he wants to leave guidelines to ensure the greatest efficiency in the offensive for the "Yes" vote. The first is to materialize the popular vote and get people to the ballot box on February 15. Secondly, there must a command in each electoral center with its respective chief and minimum structure, communications and control over all operational units or patrols in the sector. Each command should have its logistic control and as many operational controls as electoral tables. The patrol should have a leader whose task is to organize, train, motivate and guide the unit towards fulfilling its mission. Thirdly, "we should remember that the patrols are not sufficient" to ensure a massive vote. During the campaign, Chavez notes, something really transcendental has happened, namely that the missions or social programs and social movements have broken the limits of their internal dynamic and come out to take their place in the political battle. None of the groups must be disconnected from the electoral machinery, Chavez urges, and each movement must continue to develop its own natural activities as a social program and the other hand, act as a support unit to reinforce electoral center patrols. In his article the President quotes a verse from poet, Andres Eloy Blanco about the charge of a legendary independence fighter, Maisanta.
Workers at the Mitsubishi plant in Anzoategui are up in arms after two workers were shot dead by the police yesterday. Union general secretary, Felix Martinez says the police tried to evict workers from the company as ordered by a local judge ... "the cost of the operation was two workers dead and several wounded ... instead of opening a dialogue or seeking other means towards a solution." The union leader clarifies that the labor conflict with the company has been running for some time and started after a spare part contractor sacked 33 workers, despite a government decree on job security. The Mitsubishi Company does not recognize any labor relations with contracted workers, Martinez contends, and labor authorities in Anzoategui have not provided any solution to this and other cases, forcing the workers to occupy the plant to force some kind of dialogue.
Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) subsidiary in the USA, CITGO and the Citizens Energy Corporation (CEC) have launched a new program to provide heating oil in Washington DC. CITGO president, Alejandro Granados and CEC president, Joseph Kennedy II, as well as staff from the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington were present at the announcement. The measure will benefit the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker's Center which will receive free oil. Granados calls the program launched in the USA the "most important social initiative that any oil company has delivered." At the moment, CITGO and CEC intend to supply heating oil for more than 1 million persons in the USA.
In the run-up to the referendum on February 15, Federation of Chambers of Industry & Commerce (Fedecamaras) is calling on the government to close ranks with them before the economic situation. Fedecamaras president, Jose Manuel Gonzalez proclaims that the economic situation in Venezuela is not exactly the product of the world financial crisis because it is something that the organization has been warning about since the end of 2007 and during 2008. The world financial crisis, Fedecamaras continues, has intensified the poor economic situation in Venezuela and the fall in oil prices indicates that the economic de-acceleration of 2008, despite high oil prices, will become more pronounced this year. The government should "follow the steps of other countries by calling all sectors to seek a solution to the problems." Fedecamaras, Gonzalez reiterates, is willing to contribute its grain of salt. In a touch of irony, the Fedecamaras communique insists that the business sector has a lot to contribute in the solution of the country's problems. The blame for the situation, it would appear, lies in the fact that the government is not stimulating private production and depending too much on imports. Another accusation is that from a political and ideological point of view the government is seeking complete control over the population and has started rationing. Lastly, an investigation should be made into the exchange rate administration body (Cadivi) to find out what is happening with the dollar.
The National Ranchers Federation (Fedenaga) has issued a public statement, confirming there will be no shortages of their private sector products, such as beef and milk. According to Fedenaga president, Genaro Mendez, the market is saturated with the two products and ranchers are asking that a halt be put on importing beef and milk because, they allege, domestic producers are not finding markets for their products. The excess imports are finishing domestic production, the ranchers complain, and they are concerned. When asked about the constitutional amendment, Mendez states that the board will meet on February 3 to review their position and will make a public statement.
Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick@vheadline.com
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