Chavez Alleges Plot to Topple Government

CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez denounced an alleged plot to topple his government Friday after security forces reported seizing weapons, ammunition and camouflage uniforms in several raids.

Government agents seized caches of firearms, ammunition, plastic explosives, uniforms and cash in three cities, Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said.

Chavez said two people were arrested, but he gave no details. The president repeated allegations that the opposition, which is seeking a recall vote next year, is preparing another attempt to overthrow his elected government.

Radicals are trying "to create problems inside the military," Chavez told soldiers at a central Venezuela military air base. He urged the armed forces "to respond with dignity, unity, conscience and leadership."

Venezuela's opposition will stage a petition drive Nov. 28-Dec. 1 to demand a recall referendum next year on Chavez's term, which ends in 2007.

Government agents seized more than 144,000 assault-rifle bullets at a warehouse in Catia La Mar, near the Caracas international airport, on Friday, said Miguel Rodriguez, director of Venezuela's secret police. Agents also seized weapons in the central cities of Maracay and La Victoria, officials said.

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez speaks to supporters in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Nov. 7, 2003. Chavez denounced an alleged plot to topple his government after security forces confiscated weapons, ammunition, explosives and camouflage uniforms during raids. (AP Photo/ Javier Galeano)

Hugo Chavez - Venezuela

Designer unknown, ca. 1961 --Let's do our job!---In 1961, Cuban schools close for several months. All students go to the countryside to teach the population reading and writing. Illiteracy is reduced from around thirty percent to virtually zero. Alphabetization serves political purposes too: illiterate people are unable to help building the new society. The exercise books use words and concepts from revolutionary practice, such as 'cooperation' and 'agrarian reform'.

Cuban Educators Spark Political Storm in Venezuela *** "The teachings of the spelling book, which had 15 lessons, ended with a letter which read, 'Now you can read and write. Thank you, Fidel.' People would read it and weep. It was all a show."

…….. "Our Republican values are all about the birth of Latin America. ... We are reinforcing the elements of cooperation, solidarity and participation," said Ortayza, who was once head of the state security police under the Chavez administration.

But as in Cuba, the Venezuelan students will read at the end of the course a letter of thanks to Chavez.

Government officials say the most promising students in the program will be rewarded with land titles, scholarships, trips to Cuba and even a library with 25 classic books, including works by Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, Cuban Nicolas Guillen, Cuban liberation hero Jose Marti and American authors Ernest Hemingway and Jack London.

But the program has riled Venezuelan educators who see politics and not literacy behind the government initiative.

"Cuban has nothing to teach us about literacy programs," said teacher Leonardo Carvajal. "They are selling us worthless trinkets in exchange for 53,000 barrels of oil a day." ***

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