Members of U.S. Congress say Chavez should stay

Rueters AlertNet ^ | Jan. 09.2003 | Newsdesk

[madfly]

WASHINGTON, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Nineteen members of the U.S. House of Representatives told Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Thursday they strongly opposed attempts to remove him from office and condemned Bush administration officials who appeared to support a short-lived coup against him in April.

In unusually blunt criticism, the 18 Democrats and one independent added: "The people within the present American administration who supported your illegal ouster in April 2002 were wrong to do so and we strongly condemn that decision. We have been actively working to ensure against that mistake being repeated."

"Should an illegal coup take place again, we believe the world community should condemn such an action and make clear that Venezuela is served best only when governed by legally elected leaders," they added.

The members of Congress included Reps. John Conyers of Michigan, Jesse Jackson Jnr. of Illinois, Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas and independent Rep. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

They sent the letter on the same day that President George W. Bush named controversial diplomat Otto Reich, a Cuban-American hawk, as a special envoy to Latin America.

As assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere Affairs in April, Reich helped give the impression that the United States welcomed the coup against Chavez, a populist who faces a long and bitter campaign to remove him from office.

The conflict in Venezuela has shut down most of the country's oil-exporting facilities, squeezing world oil supplies at a time when the United States is making military preparations for a possible attack on Iraq.

The Bush administration says it supports mediation by the Organization of American States (OAS), which has so far proved fruitless, and a solution based on elections -- one of the main demands of Chavez's opponents.

But the 19 members of Congress said: "We believe it is against the best interests of Venezuela and its people to abrogate the constitution and force elections prior to the normally appointed time."

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said, "Our view is that the parties need to sit down and need to work out a peaceful resolution of these fundamental issues using the good offices of (OAS) Secretary-General (Cesar) Gaviria."

[Domestic Church]

It's about time that someone enforced this act.

[Sangamon Kid]

Is this the Congressional axis of evil?

"Round up the usual suspects..."

[Lockbox]

An 'illegal ouster', sounds like what the Libs where trying to do to Lott............

[BenR2]

Is this the Congressional axis of evil?

Just the usual suspects.

[madfly]

fyi

[joesnuffy]

Chavez lined up with Castro...Castro with China (COSCO/Hutchinson Whampoa Li Ka-shing Panama Canal's new managers...huge container ports in the Bahamas...large cargo plane airstrips etc)
Castro also with al-Qaeda and all their buddies...whose sole aim is the destruction of the USA
hey why wouldnt the dems be lined up with Chavez....
All their buddies are...

[xrp]

Venezuela is proof of the dangers of Democracy. Democracy is mob rule and that is more dangerous than even fascism. The only type of government that can survive and thrive is a limited government based on the rule of Law. A Republic.

[asneditor]

Thanks for the ping my friend. Looks like the commies in congress are out to protect one of their own south of the border.
What is going on in south and central America just goes to show it is time to take Castro out once and for all before he can spread his evil any further.

[asneditor]

Ditto that!!!!!

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

"Should an illegal coup take place again, ..."

As opposed to a legal coup? Morons in Government showing off their intellect.

[Carry_Okie]

As assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere Affairs in April, Reich helped give the impression that the United States welcomed the coup against Chavez, a populist who faces a long and bitter campaign to remove him from office.

Populist? The man is an avowed COMMUNIST.

No spin here.

[Husker24]

Ahh, A legal coup would be when the people rise up against a Facist government. An illegal coup would be when the people rise up against an Communist government. Get it.

[shanec]

Glad to see them go on record here, it'll haunt them good in about a week...

Middle of NEXT WEEK, possibly Jan 14, TSJ (Supreme Court, Venezuela) will announce...

- In 'Sala Electoral': Leonardo Pizani can not be member of CNE board (electoral authority), thus all recent decisions taken by the board with his participation are invalid. This blocks the non-binding Feb 2 referendum on whether or not Chavez should resign.

- In 'Sala Constitutional': The question put for referendum Feb 2 is not valid, thus Feb 2 referendum is also blocked through this way, just for redundant safety in numbers.

In addition, two more Supreme Court rulings are readied as well, but with less certain dates:

The detention of dissident G.N. general Carlos Alfonzo Martinez (without a warrant or any charges) is ruled "legal", and the general will stay under arrest.

Government intervention of private TV stations and media outlets is ruled "legal".

The situation in Venezuela can best be compared to post-colonial Africa, where the supreme courts of Marxist "Peoples Republics" allowed their ruling dictator and his party to do anything ... with the added danger to world stability that Venezuela is the third largest exporter of oil to the United States, and has billions of petro-dollars. And that the sympathetic Chavez regime, for that reason, is sought out by leftist terrorist groups and dictators as a secure source of financing and aid.

But, the big thing that'll bite them good, is that the active Chavez connection to international terrorists will be further confirmed next week, too, with another defector coming here, fresh from Chavez regime. See http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/819790/posts for preview of the details of his testimony that'll really embarass those democrats big-time!

-Shane

[Redleg Duke]

"In unusually blunt criticism, the 18 Democrats and one independent..."

Now this is a real surprise...NOT!

[madfly]

This is fascinating. These Democrats should be censured, if not impeached. I've sent this story to Ron Paul. I hope he writes a speech that shames them.

Please put me on your ping list, Shane. Thanks

[river rat]

America, WAKE UP! Observe, Recognize and Resist...
Liberals and Leftists should be refused public office..
They are morons and a hazard to the Repubic..
They can NOT be trusted to use good judgement in the preservation of our Republic...

Semper Fi

[dasboot]

Ping

[Cacique]

Why am I willing to bet one of those 19 also includes Nydia Velasquez. I hope so, more ammo to hang her with.

[FreeReign]

Democrats oppose the removal of Chavez...figures.

The Democrats helped get this guy elected.

[Anti-Bubba182]

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