Venezuela Invasion?

[POA]

Venezuela Invasion?

by Philip Stinard
April 18, 2004

On April 13, the Colombian senate approved a resolution proposed by Senator Enrique Gomez Hurtado that condemns the "dictatorial regime" of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias and calls for the Organization of American States to apply the Interamerican Democratic Charter to Venezuela.

According to Article 21 of the Charter "In the event of an unconstitutional alteration of the constitutional regime that seriously impairs the democratic order in a member state, any member state or the Secretary General may request the immediate convocation of the Permanent Council to undertake a collective assessment of the situation and to take such decisions as it deems appropriate."

What is meant by "such decisions" is not specified in the Charter, but it is generally accepted to include all actions up to and including military intervention by OAS states, including the United States.

* Immediate responses to the Colombian senate resolution from both the Colombian and Venezuelan governments were swift in coming. Two official responses were released by Colombian governmental bodies.

The first response came from Colombia's Delegation to the Andean Parliament, which stated that the views expressed by the Colombian senate are not necessarily those of the Colombian government and people, and that the decision to invoke the Democratic Charter is in the hands of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez. Then, in a paragraph that is edited out of most news reports, the Colombian Delegation calls upon the Venezuelan government to find an "exit" to their situation, which is a more mildly worded version of the Colombian senate resolution that they supposedly condemned. This response was hardly reassuring to the Chavez government.

A second response came from the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Relations, which repeated the same points made by the Colombian Andean Parliament Delegation, but left out the overt criticism of Venezuela leveled by the first communication.

This communication met with a more favorable response from various representatives of the Chavez government (among them Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs (MRE) Jesus Arnaldo Perez and Venezuelan OAS Ambassador Jorge Valero), and these representatives consider the Colombian senate resolution to be null and void.

One fact that is overlooked by Chavez government representatives in their responses is that only one OAS member state needs to make a request to invoke the Democratic Charter in order for the OAS Permanent Council to consider the request ... it takes a two thirds vote of the OAS General Assembly to suspend a member state from the OAS, which is considered the ultimate sanction.

The most notable Venezuelan response to the Colombian resolution came from Jose Vicente Rangel, Executive Vice President of Venezuela, who made the astute observation, "Senator Gomez Hurtado's proposal has as its bases the United States government's campaign against Venezuela and the geo-strategic development of Plan Colombia."

Rangel's statement also makes note of the fact that the original Spanish version of Proposition 249 is written in bad Spanish, with misspellings and grammatical errors that are uncharacteristic of the normally high standards of Colombian jurisprudence. Rangel proposes that the proposition could have been "inspired and edited by the Venezuelan coup leaders in exile in Bogota, Pedro Carmona [exiled FEDECAMARAS president] and [©] Daniel Romero, spokesman of the de facto government the 12th of April [2002]."

However, others take a more sinister view...

Some Colombian social and political leaders [Temor por guerra entre Colombia y Venezuela, New Colombian News Agency] point to the recent presence in Colombia of US Congressman Lincoln Diaz Balart ... cheerleader for the right-wing Cuban exile community in Florida ... as possibly having an influence in the drafting of this document.

Venezuelan National Assembly (AN) deputy Tarek William Saab characterized the Colombian resolution as a "vile pamphlet" which, besides being poorly written, appears as though it could have originally been written in English by the US State Department.

When asked by the Venezuelan press about the resolution, US Ambassador to Venezuela Charles S. Shapiro is quoted as saying "I don't have an appreciation at this time of the agreement approved by the Colombian Senate © the idea that this resolution from the Colombian parliament has anything to do with the United States is untrue."

Hollow words, coming from the US Ambassador who was implicated by taped police radio conversations in the April 11, 2002 massacre at Llaguno Bridge during the early hours of the coup.

What could be behind the Colombian senate resolution?

Many point to US policy in Colombia under the program Plan Colombia. Even mainstream Latin American history books (e.g. A History of Latin America, by Keen and Haynes, Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 2004) state that Plan Colombia is not so much about US anti-drug policy as it is about securing the Colombian oil industry that had been under attack by leftist guerrillas. Besides outsourcing the task of taking back control of guerrilla-controlled areas to paramilitary death squads responsible for the slaughter of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of innocents, and providing juicy multimillion dollar contracts to US companies such as Monsanto and DynCorp, there have been few visible accomplishments for Plan Colombia.

* It is not inconceivable that part of Plan Colombia would be to destabilize and overthrow the Chavez government and install puppet leaders to make US access to Venezuelan petroleum resources easier and cheaper.

Perhaps it is to this end that the Colombian government has purchased forty AMX-30 tanks from Spain with US assistance. And, knowing how US covert operations have been conducted in the past, it is quite possible that the US has great interest in testing and observing how much support the Chavez government has by, for instance, sending its surrogates to attack the hospital in Monagas State and watching the community response. This could also extend to observing the Venezuelan diplomatic response to the (intentional?) provocation produced by the Colombian senate resolution.

Is a US-backed invasion of Venezuela by Colombia imminent?

Perhaps. The one person who has remained conspicuously silent on this issue is Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, who holds the keys to this situation.

The Venezuelan National Assembly passed a resolution on April 15 condemning the Colombian senate resolution. Among other things, the resolution calls upon President Uribe to "speak to the issue of this anti-Venezuelan agreement."

We are all waiting for President Uribe's response...

[RPankn]

US Congressman Lincoln Diaz Balart

HOLY SH**!! What the h-e-double hockey sticks is he doing in Colombia?! That man is pure evil and he should be removed from Congress because his loyalties do not lie with the welfare of the U.S. or the American people.

[RPankn]

Colombian paramilitaries penetrate Venezuela to market for political assassination contracts

Colombia political leader Gustavo Petro has told delegates at the 2nd International Solidarity with Venezuela Meeting in Caracas that Colombian right-wing sectors are promoting the infiltration of paramilitary groups into Venezuela to embark on a campaign of selective political assassinations.

The Polo Democratic Independent leader claims that Colombian paramilitaries are entering Venezuelan not just to finance their activities but to sell themselves to Venezuelan groups and accept contracts to kill government grassroots leaders.

Former M19 Movement guerrilla, Petro warns that other sectors in his country are supporting the government's purchase of fighter plans and tanks from Spain but they will not be used to combat Colombia's guerrilla forces but are intended for a future armed confrontation with Venezuela ... "once the purchase has been complete, they will be placed facing Zulia and Apure States."

Former Movimiento Quinta Republica (MVR) member and Unidad Popular Venezolana (UPV) leader, Captain (ret.) William Izarra says the situation of impending conflict with Colombia merits the creation of popular militias to defend the Process.

The government, however, has preferred to expand Venezuela's territorial army as an answer to aggression from other countries, a move that has won support from retired and active service nationalist military officers.


Link: www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=17548

[POA]

RPankn said:

US Congressman Lincoln Diaz Balart

HOLY SH**!! What the h-e-double hockey sticks is he doing in Colombia?! That man is pure evil and he should be removed from Congress because his loyalties do not lie with the welfare of the U.S. or the American people.

I'm unfamiliar with him. Could you provide me with more background?

[RPankn]

Big Neo-con in South Florida and knee-jerk supporter of the rightwing Cuban community there; from 18th District in Miami. He and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen are good buddies, if that says anything (they overtly support having the U.S. invade Cuba, overthrow Castro and restore the country to the time of Batista). Made the claim during the whole Elian Gonzalez deal that Janet Reno had the child "drugged" after the INS took the child back from his cousins.

Diaz-Balart, Ros-Lehtinen and Kathrine Harris should be designated the Florida Congressional Caucus' 'Axis of Evil'.

DeLay: Evil Will Not Stand in Baghdad, or Havana; Honors Victims of Communism in Memorial Cubano Address

2/20/2004 7:09:00 PM

To: National Desk

Contact: Stuart Roy or Jonathan Grella, 202-225-4000, both of the Office of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay Web: www.majorityleader.gov

MIAMI, Feb. 20 /U.S. Newswire/ -- House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) today delivered an impassioned speech denouncing Fidel Castro's terrorist regime and honoring thousands of victims of communist violence and oppression at el Memorial Cubano in Miami, Fla.

"Humanity has known it by many names -- Nazism, fascism, Communism, terrorism. But it is one and the same evil, inhuman ideology -- no matter what language it speaks, or what uniform it wears," DeLay said.

"The war on terror is a war against evil, and it is therefore a war against Fidel Castro," DeLay said. "Freedom and terrorism cannot coexist, and evil will not stand. And if it will not stand in Baghdad, Kabul, Tehran, or Ramallah, then it will not stand in Havana."

DeLay joined Florida congressmen Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Mario Diaz-Balart, along with members of the Cuban Memorial Project, an assembly of various organizations, groups, and individuals from the Cuban exile community, to denounce Fidel Castro's regime.

"If the war on terror is going to be won, it must be won in this hemisphere first, and if it is going to be won in this hemisphere, then Castro must go," DeLay said. "As long as George W. Bush is in the White House and I am the Majority Leader in the House, the United States will never lift the embargo while Castro remains in power."

The weekend gathering of Cuban-Americans is hosted at the onset of the 109th anniversary of "Grito de Baire," the call to arms and declaration of independence by Jose Marti. It is also the eighth anniversary of the attack on civilian Brothers to the Rescue planes and the first anniversary of Castro's new crackdown, which landed 75 innocent advocates for justice in prison. [ Um, that should say 75 CIA operatives]


www.usnewswire.com/

[RPankn]

Here's Diaz-Balart's voting record on selected issues:

Representative Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL)


Current Office: U.S. Representative
Current District: 21 [His House page says he's 18th Dist]
First Elected: 11/03/1992
Last Elected: 11/05/2002
Next Election: 2004
Party: Republican

Abortion Issues

2003 On the votes that the National Abortion Reproductive Rights Action League considered to be the most important in 2003, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 0 percent of the time.

2001-2002 On the votes that the National Right to Life Committee considered to be the most important in 2001-2002, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 100 percent of the time.

Agriculture Issues

2002 Based on a 2002 survey given to all congressional candidates Vote Hemp chose to rate Representative Diaz-Balart as Fence Sitter.

2001-2002 On the votes that the National Farmers Union considered to be the most important in 2001-2002, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 30 percent of the time.

Business and Consumers

2003 On the votes that the Business-Industry Political Action Committee considered to be the most important in 2003, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 95 percent of the time.

2003 On the votes that the American Bankers Association considered to be the most important in 2003, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 60 percent of the time.

2003 On the votes that the Associated Builders & Contractors considered to be the most important in 2003, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 80 percent of the time.

2003 On the votes that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce considered to be the most important in 2003, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 90 percent of the time.

2002 On the votes that the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association considered to be the most important in 2002, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 100 percent of the time.

2002 On the votes that the National Retail Federation considered to be the most important in 2002, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 75 percent of the time.

2002 On the votes that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce considered to be the most important in 2002, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 83 percent of the time.

Civil Liberties

2003 On the votes that the Americans United for the Separation of Church and State considered to be the most important in 2003, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 0 percent of the time.

2002 On the votes that the Americans United for the Separation of Church and State considered to be the most important in 2002, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 0 percent of the time.

2001-2002 On the votes that the American Civil Liberties Union considered to be the most important in 2001-2002 , Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 13 percent of the time.

Conservative

2003 On the votes that the Christian Coalition considered to be the most important in 2003 , Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 90 percent of the time.

2003 On the votes that the Eagle Forum considered to be the most important in 2003, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 67 percent of the time.

2003 On the votes that the Campaign for Working Families considered to be the most important in 2003, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 80 percent of the time.

2003 On the votes that the American Conservative Union considered to be the most important in 2003, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 71 percent of the time.

Education

2003 On the votes that the National Education Association considered to be the most important in 2003, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 10 percent of the time.

Foreign Aid and Policy Issues

2003 On the votes that the Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel (JPPI) considered to be the most important in 2003, a point system was established for both the Senate and the House. In the Senate, total possible points range from a high of +3 and a low of -4. In the House, points range from +9 to -7. The Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel (JPPI) assigned Representative Diaz-Balart a score of -3.

2003 On the votes that the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation considered to be the most important in 2003, a point system was established for both the Senate and the House. In the Senate, total possible points range from a high of +3 and a low of -4. In the House, points range from +9 to -7. The U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation assigned Representative Diaz-Balart a score of -3.

2003 On the votes that the Peace Action considered to be the most important in 2003, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 22 percent of the time.

2002-2003 On the votes that the Citizens for Global Solutions considered to be the most important in 2002-2003, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 60 percent of the time.

2002 On the votes that the Peace Action considered to be the most important in 2002, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 10 percent of the time.

2002 On the votes that the American Security Council considered to be the most important in 2002, Representative Diaz-Balart voted their preferred position 75 percent of the time.

2001-2002 On the votes , introduction of legislation, sponsorship or co-sponsorship of legislation and public speaking on legislation, for legistation, that the American Muslims for Jerusalem considered to be the most important in 2001-2002, Representative Diaz-Balart, rated -6.

2001-2002 On the votes that the Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel (JPPI) considered to be the most important in 2001-2002, a point system was established for both the Senate and the House. In the Senate, total possible points range from a high of +1 and a low of -5. In the House, points range from +6 to -6. The Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel (JPPI) assigned Representative Diaz-Balart a score of -5.

www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=H0735103

[RPankn]

Representative Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL)




Current Office: U.S. Representative
Current District: 21
First Elected: 11/03/1992
Last Elected: 11/05/2002
Next Election: 2004
Party: Republican

Committees:
Rules [House]
Select Committee on Homeland Security [House]




Background Information

Gender: Male
Family: Wife: Cristina
2 Children: Lincoln, Daniel.
Birthdate: 08/13/1954
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Home City: Miami, FL
Religion: Roman Catholic

Education:
JD, Case Western Reserve University Law School, 1979
BA, International Relations, University of South Florida, 1976.

Professional Experience:
Partner, Fowler, White, Burnett, Hurley, Banick & Stickroot, P.A., Miami
Attorney, 1979.

Political Experience:
Representative, United States House of Representatives, 1992-present
Senator, Florida State Senate, 1989-1992
Ran unopposed and name did not appear on general election ballot, 1992
Representative, Florida State House of Representatives, 1986-1989
Democratic Nominee for Florida House, 1982.

Organizations:
Founding Member, Miami-Westchester Lions Club
Organization for Retarded Citizens.

Caucuses/Non-Legislative Committees:
Congressional Human Rights Caucus [Ever notice that people who could care less about human rights always end up in this caucus?]
Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus
Law Enforcement Caucus
Friends of Ireland
Chair, Subcommitee on the Americas.


Contact Information

Washington DC Web Address:
www.house.gov/diaz-bala ...
Washington DC Web Mail Address:
www.house.gov/writerep/

Washington DC Address
2244 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

District Address - Miami
8525 Northwest 53rd Terrace, Suite 102
Miami, FL 33166
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]




Roll Call Vote Analysis
Year Participation Party Presidential
Voting Support Support
2003 96% 95% 94%
2002 92% 94% 87%
2001 96% 94% 88%
2000 95% 84% 35%
1999 97% 78% 33%
Source: Congressional Quarterly


www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=H0735103

[POA]

You're right. He's definitely vile.

[Moses]

Note his committees:

Committees:
Rules [House]
Select Committee on Homeland Security [House]

[Ropegun]

You are all aware that Venezuela's main export is oil?

[RPankn]

Yes, I believe much of the situation in Venezuela stems from when Venezuela held the rotating leadership of OPEC and cut the cartel's production quotas to raise the price of oil. Additionally, not long before the attempted coup, Chavez doubled the royalties U.S. oil companies pay in order to fund some of the social welfare programs he instituted on behalf of his poverty-stricken constituency.

But I think what is also going on is that Chavez is setting a "bad example" for the rest of The Carribean and Central and South American countries in that he is instituting measures to move the Venezuelan economy toward self-sufficiency outside the neo-liberal model thrust upon others by the World Bank/IMF, which keep those countries who accept IMF aid subjugated to "First World" economic interests; see Argentina, for example (thank you Bill Clinton and Al Gore). Many of Chavez's programs are also helping Venezuela's poor, much to the chagrin of Venezuela's aristocracy; the people who the U.S. would prefer run the country because they would essentially act as Washington's puppets, peasants be d**ned. Chavez has a tough row to hoe here because not only does his government have to watch out for CIA types operating covertly in his country, but he also has to deal with Bush-puppet Uribe next door in Colombia stirring up trouble on the border.

I also think a similar factor played into coup against Aristide as well because many of the programs he was pushing for would have helped to lift up Haiti's poor out of destitution and moved the country toward less dependence of the "First World" neo-liberal economic model.