Es verdad!
Posted on 06/30/2002 4:39:42 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
The president noted that some inhabitants of wealthy areas of Caracas, alarmed by fears of fresh violence, were rushing to buy weapons and organizing self-defense groups. "Don't let yourselves be exploited by the gun sellers and the dogs of war," Chavez said.
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - President Hugo Chavez urged Venezuelans on Saturday to stop arming themselves for a civil war, and he invited his foes to try to vote him out of office in a referendum next year.
Addressing a huge rally of his supporters in Caracas, the left-wing former paratrooper went out of his way to try to defuse fears about possible further political violence in the oil-rich nation after a short-lived coup against him in April.
He pledged that his populist government and its supporters would not use violence against political adversaries and he announced a plan for citizens, starting with his own followers, to hand over the weapons they owned to the authorities.
"There can be no war possible in Venezuela ... we really do want peace," Chavez, wearing a red beret and red tracksuit top, told several hundred thousand cheering supporters.
The huge crowd transformed a downtown city avenue into a colorful, rippling sea of waving flags, banners and placards.
It was the largest organized pro-government demonstration since the April 11-14 coup by disgruntled military officers that briefly deposed the maverick, outspoken leader who had declared a self-proclaimed "revolution" in his country.
The coup, in which more than 60 people were killed in street protests and looting, shocked Venezuelans and shattered investor confidence in the world's fifth-largest oil exporter.
In his conciliatory two-hour speech Saturday, Chavez strongly repeated a plea for national reconciliation and dialogue which he had originally made immediately after being restored to power by loyal troops last April 11.
He urged his opponents to stop thinking about "military adventures" like another coup or about civil war. "Don't let yourselves go mad, don't tear your hair out," he said.
FEARS OF VIOLENCE
The president noted that some inhabitants of wealthy areas of Caracas, alarmed by fears of fresh violence, were rushing to buy weapons and organizing self-defense groups.
"Don't let yourselves be exploited by the gun sellers and the dogs of war," Chavez said.
Addressing what he called the "ladies and gentlemen of the well-off classes," the president told them: "I guarantee to you, as the leader of this nation, that there will be no violence here. The Venezuelan people do no want violence."
Saturday's big rally was peaceful but armed troops and police were visible on rooftops and in nearby streets.
Since the April coup, opponents of the president have staged several big street protests against him and filed appeals with the Supreme Court seeking his impeachment.
Chavez's left-leaning reforms, which he says are essential to close the gap between rich and poor, have inflamed class divisions in the South American country, where political passions flow as thickly as the country's tarry oil.
But he told his foes Saturday that under the constitution they could call a referendum against his rule after August 19, 2003, half-way through his current six-year mandate. He added that if he lost the referendum, he would leave office.
Chavez said, however, he was confident he could win any popular referendum. "More than 60 out of every 100 Venezuelans support Chavez and the Bolivarian Revolution. That's the truth and no one doubts it," the president told the roaring crowd.
Opinion polls before the April coup had shown his popularity slumping to below 30 percent as many Venezuelans accused him of failing to deliver on promises to end poverty and unemployment made after his landslide 1998 election.
But at least one poll since April showed that his popularity had received a boost from the failed coup against him.
Chavez said that before a vote on his rule next year, other referendums could be held on state governorships and mayorships. He urged his supporters to use these to try to oust former political allies who had turned against him.
Clearly encouraged by the huge turnout at the rally, the Venezuelan leader displayed high spirits, urging the crowd to make more noise and leading them in a "Mexican wave" of rippling arm movements as he watched with binoculars.
Wearing a yellow Brazilian soccer team shirt under his tracksuit, he backed the Brazilians in their World Cup final with Germany Sunday. "They are going to win 3-0," he said.
"There can be no war possible in Venezuela ... we really do want peace," Chavez
Interesting Quote. Now read between the lines "There can be no war possible in Venezuela..... especially since you people won't have any guns to defend yourselves with because we are going to take them."
If I'm down there, I find meself searching for a nice assault rifle...
Isn't this the guy Carville helped.
I always think of hid helping Barak in Israel. Chavez too?
I always think of hid helping Barak in Israel. Chavez too?
Yes, the Barak campaign help got a lot more publicity but I do remember that Carville was also dispatched to Venezuela to help some leftist guy get elected. The guy Carville helped did get elected so Chevez must be him. He certainly reminds me of Clinton with the logic he uses in those gun grabbing quotes.
Saturday's big rally was peaceful but armed troops and police were visible on rooftops and in nearby streets.
Hmmmn.
Interesting contrast here ..... But of course, he (as a socialist) promises no violence.
He, as a socialist, doesn't want any weapons in his country.
He just prepares for it with armed troops standing on the rooftops over his OWN crowds.
...---...
Do they have gun registration there?
Es verdad!
Yes it certainly is!
July 15, 2001***Ranchers living along the country's remote 1,400-mile border with Colombia face the constant threat of kidnapping and extortion by Colombia's leftist guerrillas who can cross the border. Common criminals and gangs often cooperate with rebels. Earlier this year cattlemen proposed forming private militias to fend off local criminals and rebels from neighboring Colombia. The idea was abandoned as President Hugo Chavez suspended the issuance of new gun licenses and threatened to jail would-be militiamen.***Source
June 13, 2002 - Chavez facing a storm of coup threats - Wary Venezuelans hoard food, guns*** CARACAS - A new wave of coup threats against President Hugo Chávez is pushing Venezuelans to the edge of hysteria, with many residents of the capital stockpiling food and condo associations preparing an inventory of guns in case of looting. Clandestine communiqués and videos from alleged military officers vowing to topple the leftist president emerge almost daily. As each rumor peaks and wanes, the country's battered currency fluctuates wildly against the U.S. dollar. The threats and an accompanying gusher of dire rumors have sparked an unprecedented crisis in this oil-rich nation, virtually paralyzing the country and awakening fears of bloodshed, even civil war. ***
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The general belief is Hugo Chavez has been arming the Bolivarian Circle (block watches). He calls on these Chavistas when he wants some mob muscle.
If Hillary ever becomes President . . . .
Barbara Olson wrote in Hell to Pay that Hillary's sealed Wellesley thesis was a paean to radical Saul Alinsky who counselled, "Tell any lie for power."
Hillary, Smoocher of Suha, Pom Pom Girl for Palestinian State, donee of American Muslim Council (Hamas front).
Barbara Olson, flown into the Pentagon 911.
Dick Morris says Hillary's not running. Hey, Rush said she wasn't running for the Senate either.
Chavez speaks in newspeak where War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength.
And an "electoral mandate" and "high poll numbers" mean having your shooters on rooftops.
His survival is one more argument to hook a come-along to George Tenet.
Coup-coup-cachoo.
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