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."

[cake_crumb]

Democrats oppose the removal of Chavez...figures.

[The Obstinate Insomniac]

bump

[byteback]

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.

Is this the Congressional axis of evil?

[madfly]

ping

[RnMomof7]

connected to the last flag...the ever present Koran threat

[Reactionary]

Why, of course they do.

Whenever a Stalinist maggot gains political power, you can count on the democrats to make sure he stays in.

[Teacher317]

They are also members of the Black Caucus, and even worse, the Progressive Caucus (whose goals and mission statement mirror the Democratic Socialists of America)

[Drango]

Is this the Congressional axis of evil?

Hard to tell with so little evidence. But clearly they are racist or they wouldn't oppose a Cuban-American.

STOP THE RACISM NOW!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

These 19 'lawmakers' of the US Congress broke existing US law (and their oaths of office) by sending a letter to Hugo Chavez criticizing the administration's policies concerning Venezuela. Reuters seems clueless about existing US law, separation of powers, "will of the people"...

Conducting Foreign Relations Without Authority: The Logan Act

Abstract: The Logan Act was intended to prohibit United States citizens without authority from interfering in relations between the United States and foreign governments. There appear to have been no prosecutions under the Act in its almost 200 year history. However, there have been a number of judicial references to the Act, and it is not uncommon for it to be used as a political weapon. Although attempts have been made to repeal the Act, it remains law and at least a potential sanction to be used against anyone who without authority interferes in the foreign relations of the United States.

[axel f]

I like how you think!

I would have to add Barbara Lee and Jim McDermott to that list. But more apply, I'm sure.

[Guillermo]

I was surprised to see Sanford Bishop's name on that list.

He's probably the most conservative black Democrat.

Chavez has probably given some of the GA 2nd farmers some sweetheart deals.

[madfly]

Outrageous. That's at least 2 laws this week out the window. I'd like to see Ron Paul at least make a speech on this for the record. Thanks for the info.

[snippy_about_it]

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.

Communists in the house!

[The Electrician]

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

In the same way that Reuters stumbles over the use of the word "terrorist" to describe people who perpetrate terroristic acts, they just don't seem able to call Chavez, a Castro sympathizer and Communist sympathizer, a "Communist sympathizer", and instead label him a "populist". Another article, another lie, huh Reuters?

[Squantos]

The usual POS seditious polidiot trash .......good news is it was only 19 this time. We're winning ! Vote Vote Vote !!

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

the 18 Democrats and one independent (rueters forgets to mention sanders is a admitted socialist)

I am shocked I tell you just shocked

[Paulus Invictus]

Is there any confusion about why these RAT Congressional commies support other commies? What says Her Heinous?

[Gritty]

18 Democrats and one independent

I don't know why anybody should be surprised by this. Democrats have been supporting Communists for decades. In fairness, the Communists have also been supporting the Democrats. So it's not just a one way street.

The astonishing part of all this is nobody seems to care any more!

[houstonian]

These Fifth-Column Democrats are the ones who want Korean nukes in Latin America.