In an interview in the tabloid Las Ultimas Noticias, United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) vice president, General (ret.) Alberto Muller Rojas says he is making all efforts possible to prevent the unity of the Patriotic Alliance (AP) from going bust. The General also suggests in the interview that there are plenty of small intrigues going on inside his own party, which he doesn't like at all. The problem concerning the alliance with minority parties in the AP, Muller Rojas suggests, is that the party has changed strategy because alliances will be now based in the regions and not nationally. The General blames the constant attacks from allies on jealousy, stating that the PSUV has had the success that they have not achieved. "If they do not recognize that fact and they want to impose on an organisation that has conquered spaces previously unconquered, how is it possible to enter into negotiations?" The only way to do so is by parts, Muller Rojas reveals, because as a whole it is very difficult. Controversially, the General maintains that electoral results will be obtained with or without the allies and if the results are negative to the process, then everybody will be affected which makes the attitude of allies " irrational." The General says the biggest danger in the upcoming elections is abstention both for the government and the opposition. At yesterday's meeting of the Patriotic Alliance (AP) without the assistance of the PSUV, there was a general consensus of a divide between what President Chavez ordered regarding alliances and the attitude of PSUV vice president, Alberto Muller Rojas. Apart from ratifying their candidates, the minority parties have called on the PSUV for a debate and humility. The Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV) secretary of organisation, Carlos Aquino insists that the PSUV should attend AP meetings because he argues that it will guarantee the "historic continuity of the collective building of the revolutionary process ... "the alliance is the seed of that collective leadership."
The Attorney General's office has summonsed psychiatrist Eduardo Chirinos to answer charges concerning his alleged implication in the death of Roxana Vargas Quintero, whose body was found on July 14 in the Parque Caiza. The famous psychiatrist, who was once a left wing presidential candidate, is expected to be charged on Friday. Chirinos admits that Vargas Quintero was a patient but denies any sentimental or sexual relation between the two, as suggested by some media circles.
According to the president of the Institute for Global Economic Growth, Norman Bailey, President Chavez has spent at least $33 billion of public funds, supposedly aimed at influencing Latin American countries. In the generalized attack against the President, Bailey claims that Chavez has sent money to the FARC, ETA, Hamas and Hezbollah through an extensive network of contacts in Venezuela. This network, Bailey claims, is administered directly by the Islamic Centre on Isla de Margarita and its branches in Barquisimeto, Anaco, Puerto Ordaz and Puerto Cabello. Mr. Bailey also suggests that because of close relations between Venezuela and Iran, Venezuela is a threat to US national security and wants to see the application of sanctions against the Venezuelan banking system.
The Andean Parliament considers a letter sent by the European Union to foreign ministers of the Andean Community of Nations (CAN) positive but insufficient in its explanation of the Return Directive. Andean Parliament president, Ivonne Baki insists that the European Community should issue a resolution saying the law is a mistake and inapplicable. CAN members (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru) need more details to guarantee that EU countries will not violate the fundamental rights of Andean immigrants. Members of the parliament are expected to meet the European Commissioner for Foreign Relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldner shortly.
Health Minister, Jesus Mantilla says the government has invested 719 million bolivares in recovering the infrastructure of public hospitals in the Metropolitan area. The Minister states that at the moment he is paying passive liabilities to staff of the flagship Barrio Adentro program and complying with the 30% salary increase for medical personnel. The salary increase, Mantilla states, means that in eight months the government has increased doctor's salary 90%.
Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick.vheadline@gmail.com
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