Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Patrick J. O'Donoghue's round up of news from Venezuela -- October 21, 2008

During a visit to Nueva Esparta State to support local United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) candidates, President Chavez says he has learned of new plans to assassinate him originating on the world-famous Margarita Island. The plans, he told followers, hatched by Accion Democratica (AD) stalwarts, include a rebellion on the part of military officers against the government. Chavez brushes aside the coup attempts boasting that they will be swept away by the people. According to the President, he has a poll survey of 80% approval by the population.

During his visit to the island, President Chavez inspected several tourist projects and announced an injection of (Bs.F) 64 million bolivares to rescue environmental spaces. The plan, which will last 12 weeks, will provide employment to 15,000 persons and benefit 11 municipalities. Chavez insists that the tourist State of Nueva Esparta must be made more Venezuelan.

The Attorney General's Office has ordered an investigation into a power cut on Sunday, October 19 affecting several States in Venezuela. A technical inspection at the El Guri reservoir and the Caroni electricity company (Edelca) plant in Macagua was undertaken by Police Detective Branch (CICPC) and State Political & Security (DISIP) officers. Three people have been arrested for questioning regarding responsibility for the electricity blackout, which has embarrassed the government. National Electricity Corporation president, Hipolito Izquierdo says it took only 15 minutes to find the reason for the blackout.

Deputy Foreign Minister for Europe, Alejandro Fleming reports that the Venezuelan opposition and its European Union allies will attempt to have Venezuela condemned at a European Parliament plenary session on Thursday. So-called "roving diplomats," such as Milos Alcalay have been lobbying for several weeks and will justify the condemnation pointing to the electoral disqualifications, the expulsion of Human Rights Watch director, Jose Vivanco and the assassination of University of Zulia (LUZ) student leader, Julio Soto. Fleming points out that all parliamentary groups belonging to the Left in Europe have categorically opposed any discussion of the topics because they consider it part of the Venezuelan right wing's electoral strategy. If the discussion does go ahead on Thursday, the Minister contends, it will be a clear sign that the right wing has "kidnapped" the European Union ... after all, Fleming adds, 60% of it belongs to the right wing. Furthermore he concludes, it will indicate a disdain for consensus and a clear political intention of attacking Venezuela.

United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) vice president, General Alberto Muller Rojas has announced that the budget law for 2009 will undergo sessions of street parliamentarianism. The budget, he says, will be discussed by communities, organizations and social movements as a form of public consultation of how money will be spent next year. Muller Rojas maintains that the budget will take into account the current economic and political situation and insists that Venezuela will take important steps to block any impact of the international economic crisis. The General, who has not been in the news for some time, confirms a drop in consumption of many goods, given the world recession.

Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick.vheadline@gmail.com

____________________________________

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.

HELP US TO KEEP BRINGING YOU THE TRUTH
http://tinyurl.com/n4fg



No comments:

Post a Comment