-- Chavez and Correa have links to the rebel group;
-- Chavez is trying to undermine, isolate and discredit Uribe and wants to cleanse FARC-EP of its (undeserved) pariah status; and most outrageous of all that
-- FARC-EP acquired 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of uranium for a radioactive dirty bomb it wishes to sell for profit.
Former State Department arms smuggling expert, James Lewis, discounts the story. He said: "In a lot of cases involving uranium deals, somebody's usually getting snookered (and the 50 kilos) quantity sounds really suspicious" because US intelligence would likely spot anyone securing an amount that large.
Chavez as well denounced the claim and called the documents lies and fabrications. He also closed Venezuela's 1300 mile long Colombian border, and at an extraordinary Organization of American States (OAS) session, his representative, Jorge Valero, said: "The Colombian government has lied blatantly. All (its) accusations....against Venezuela and Ecuador are false, totally false." Retired Venezuelan general, Alberto Muller Rojas, went further. He denounced Colombia's "evidence" as an "exercise in falsification (and stated that) the only foreign government that finances the conflict in Colombia is the United States," it's done it with billions for years, and in the same way it destabilizes regions throughout the world.
Corporate Media Responses
A March 5 Washington Post editorial supported Colombia's aggression, but that's typical for its one-sided type journalism. The commentary said: "Colombia's armed forces struck a bold blow against the....FARC, a group specializing in drug trafficking, abductions and massacres of civilians that (the US has) designated a terrorist organization....it showed how Colombia's democratic government may be finally gaining the upper hand over (these) murderous gangs.
Now (Hugo Chavez) has been revealed as an explicit supporter and possible financier of the FARC. (He) made a show of ordering Venezuelan troops to the border (and) goaded his client (Correa) into mimicking his reaction. (They) both may have something to hide (about) financial links with the terrorists (and) backing an armed (terrorist) movement against the democratically elected government of their neighbor. No wonder (Uribe acted); he knows (Chavez and Correa) provid(e) a haven for the terrorists."
The New York Times' Simon Romero's comments were more measured in an article titled: "Colombia is Flashpoint in Chavez Fued with US," but his message was much as it always is - one-sidedly supporting Washington and its allies and hostile to Hugo Chavez. In this instance, it's his ties to the FARC-EP and supplying it with millions of dollars in aid. In an editorial, The Times went further. It accused Chavez of "meddling and manipulation (and trying to) revive his own flagging political fortunes" by getting involved. It added "Mr. Chavez should just keep quiet. The more he meddles, the easier it is to believe that the charges against him are true."
Then there's the Wall Street Journal that's even further hard right since Rupert Murdoch bought it. It's March 4 editorial was titled "Chavez's War Drums" with a sub-headline stating "A laptop spills some of his secrets." The commentary noted "Colombia's....major antiterror victory" and "Chavez....threatening war....But the real news (was in) a laptop belonging to (Paul Reyes) that reveals some of Mr. Chavez's secrets."
Columbia's "military (entered Ecuador) for legitimate reasons of self-defense....the Venezuelan bully....ordered 10 battalions and tanks to the Colombian border, and warned of war if the Colombian army staged a similar raid inside Venezuela....The war bluster is phony because Mr. Chavez is already waging his own guerrilla campaign against Colombia (by) support(ing) the FARC." The recovered "computer contains evidence supporting the claim that the FARC is working with Mr. Chavez (and) showed that Venezuela may have paid $300 million (for the) FARC's recent release of six civilian hostages."
Documents also "show(ed) that the FARC was seeking to buy 50 kilos of uranium (and sold) 700 kilograms of cocaine valued at $1.5 million." The "military found a thank you note from Mr. Chavez to FARC for some $150,000 that the rebels had sent him when he was in prison for his attempted (1992) coup d'etat."
This type agitprop never lets up, so expect continued anti-Chavez rhetoric ahead as the dominant media plays up every chance they get to demonize him and support Bush's hostile regime change agenda.
Some Background on the Diplomatic Crisis
Venezuelan-American lawyer and activist Eva Golinger writes on how Washington relentlessly targets Chavez. In November 2006, she explained what's just as true today - that the Bush administration goes at him by "three different fronts of attack."
-- the financial front by funding opposition groups "to obtain control in all different parts of the country," including the electoral process;
I am a 72 year old, retired, progressive small businessman concerned about all the major national and world issues, committed to speak out and write about them.
in many places around the world is well exposed in this fine and exhaustively detailed work, thanks for it Mr. Lendman.
The monies this nation pours into Columbia, supposedly to combat the drug cartels that are poisoning our youth, goes mainly to make Columbia's military the most powerful in that region of the world. Just like Israel, Columbia is propped up with our tax revenues and made as a miltary bastion in a region ever more hostile to US interests there.
There are two great tragedies here, from a standpoint of our own interests; one is that the American people are simply disinterested in this situation to our everlasting shame. The other is that, regardless of which candidate wins the Presidency in the fall, our policies towards Columbia, Venezuela, Israel and the Palestinians will not change one iota.
by
ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2388 comments)
on Monday, March 10, 2008 at 8:47:17 AM
Please pardon my seeming impertinence in drawing attention to your orthography, ardee D.,(whatever that may mean) but, agree with you though I might, what you say would be far more convincing if you learned how to spell Colombia and were able to distinguish between uninterersted and disinterested. Scott Griffith.
by
Scott Griffith (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 18 comments)
on Monday, March 10, 2008 at 10:27:35 AM
perhaps both. Concerning internet etiquette, it is a gross violation of manners to correct ones spelling, grammar or punctuation. You should learn this, adhere to it, or risk being labeled as unworthy of response.
Perhaps you are simply grouchy today, perhaps you are worse than that.
by
ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2388 comments)
on Monday, March 10, 2008 at 4:34:32 PM
The US=Colombian raid was an act of war. In violation of the UN Charter, it illustrates the Administration's zeal for yet another preemptive war.
Under NSPD 51 President Bush has the excuse to declare Martial Law and to suspend the 2008 elections. Stephen Lendman is one of the few who recognizes the dangers the incursion might bring.
If anyone has a more cogent explanation for these goings on, he or she has my complete attention.
by
Jason Paz (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 72 comments)
on Monday, March 10, 2008 at 12:55:25 PM
I'm sure you will be surprised to hear that Chavez and Correa both commited what has been adjudicated to be Acts of War by Intl Law by giving aid and comfort to the enemy of Colombia. I don't need to invent nor borrow from the talking points of the rabid socialists to know that Mr. Lendman's article is pure invention. I've spent too much time in all three of these countries to be gullible enough to believe what he purports. To begin with, Ecuador was advised by Interpol in June of 2007 of the Sta. Rosa emcampment and did nothing. In January this year, that harmless little fellow, Raul (not Paul) Reyes visited Romania to attempt to locate nuclear material. He travelled with, guess, a Venezuelan passport. Now, how did he get that! Ah, I didn't make that up, that was an Interpol report.
When Interpol validates the computers, and contents, how will you defend that, Mr. Lendman? Tell me, do you know why Ecuador has not returned the FARC Kidnapping victim, Sandra Hernandez to Colombia? Recall that she was among the survivors at the camp. I'd love to hear her story.
By the way, The Chilean students photographed at the Sta Rosa camp were in Quito for a socialist gathering, and just happened to find their way to Sta Rosa, with no help at all. Now there's a story for you.
Mr. Lendman, I'm afraid your article is so full of "errors" that it seems to match something I'd read in Prensa Latina (Havana) Granma (Havana) La Hora (Quito, pro goverment) or the Venezuelan government.
by
Don Gist (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments)
on Monday, March 10, 2008 at 3:29:07 PM
You speak of assumption as if it were fact. The violation committed by ColOmbia (happy now kid?) is fact, the contents of that computer are not verified and perhaps will never be, yet you are quick to deflect blame here. I guess you prefer fascists like Uribe to socialists like Chavez, who cares?
You honestly think that we care or believe your credentials after you post such a silly thing as this?
by
ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2388 comments)
on Monday, March 10, 2008 at 4:40:37 PM
I suppose you are telling me that this is a blog open to all who agree with the views expounded by the extreme left wing. In that case, I don't care either, if you can't handle what I write, then don't read it. Your absurd statement that I prefer fascist Uribe to socialist Chavez may better be statede as, yes, I prefer a democratic president to a marxist despot any day. (In case you haven't heard, Chavez has declared himself to be a marxist).
I would imagine that you believe people like me should be locked up, which Castro has been doing for nearly fifty years, or possibly shot, as Che Guevara specialized in during the first days of the new Cuban government (some 7,000 people went straight to the firing squads), because we are counter to your revolution. I happen to believe we have a right to our opinions, and the right to self defense. FARC does not.
The latest bit of news on Sta Rosa is that one of the uninjured survivors is a Mexican citizen who had been naturalized,- his original country or origin was Cuba. I suppose he was also working on his thesis. The forensic experts working on the computers are Interpol personnel. I wonder, if they pronounce the computers and data as genuine, will you still rant that they are a fraud?
by
Don Gist (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments)
on Monday, March 10, 2008 at 6:27:41 PM
Now if I had soap and a towel I could shower in it.....
Chavez, as you well know, received over 60% of the popular vote in an election certified as fair by the Carter Commission. He has given heating oil to the poor in the Bronx New York, among many other charitable acts, some Marxist there you betcha.
Uribe, on the other hand sponsors and depends upon right wing death squads, has received hundreds and hundreds of millions of our dollars to fight drug cartels which continue to flourish regardless. Some democrat!
You are free to post whatsoever you wish here, just as I am free to note the bias and sophomoric logic contained within your effort, your crocodile tears notwithstanding...shill much for Bush?
by
ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2388 comments)
on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 7:03:48 AM
I don't recall quoting Bush at all, this has nothing to do with him. Chavez had 60%, and the legitimacy of that is questionable. Presently, his support in Venezuela is around 20%, according to many Venezuelan friends. Uribe's last poll reflected 85% overall support, and 83% support for the Ecuador incursion to get Raul Reyes. Los Paras were put out of operation by the Colombian government 4 years ago, so that nonsense is getting old. Chavez did not offer oil out of the goodness of his heart, he was buying support, the same as he does in Latin America. There haven't been that many takers at that, in several states his offer was rejected, and CITGO is being boycotted by 80% of its former customers who see him for what he is.
I fully realize that this is a "progressive" "left leaning" blog, and I present a view that is heresy meriting my execution in several socialist countries, but my opinions are based on my and others experiences, and just maybe it will make some of you think a little bit.
by
Don Gist (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments)
on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 7:31:18 AM
Colombian right wing death squads are currently active within that nation, very active, and with the support of many within the Uribe government, the President included. Uribe himself is nothing more or less than a tool of the Bush intentions to keep South America enslaved to US corporations.
That election was, once again, certified as fair by the Carter Commission, ignore facts all you wish. According to every account not coming out of an NSA or CIA cubicle ( how is the view anyway?) Chavez has , not only th eoverwhelming support of his citizenry, but the support of most of South and Central America as well.
You may tell all the fairy tales you care to make up, but they will be exposed as such and you will be thought of accordingly. Dont cry those stupid tears about free speech either because your idea of such is lies and distortions as you are simply a tool.
by
ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2388 comments)
on Friday, March 14, 2008 at 11:59:27 AM
Little buddy, I do not, and have not, cried about anything, although I wouldn't mind getting in your insolent little face at this point. Neither have I lied. I've spent more time in Colombia, Ecuador, Central and South America than you've been alive, and my own relatives and friends still living there are my primary sources of information, along with local newspapers in any country of interest. Have you done that? Oh my, you would need to speak Spanish in order to read them, and I'm sure your party line news comes from the English version of Prensa Latina (Havana Cuba) and similar sources.
For a pipsqueak like you to call me a liar is like a 2 year old screaming at the top of his lungs thinking he's communicating something intelligble,- Absolutely juvenile.
by
Don Gist (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments)
on Friday, March 14, 2008 at 12:20:59 PM
Now button your fly, understand that I am neither little, your buddy, or a pipsqueek. Im 240 lbs, six foot even and a former biker of long standing in a certain club. You may get in my face but you would certainly regret doing so.
You are a damn liar and you and I both know that to be fact. you posted tripe, plain and simple, egregious lies in fact and then lost your temper because someone cared enough to expose you as the liar you are. Tough, punk.
by
ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2388 comments)
on Monday, March 17, 2008 at 3:20:23 PM
Mr. Gist is right. As an Ecuadorian who studied in the United States and has many relatives living there, I'm increasingly concerned about Americans being manipulated by Fidel Castro, Hugo Chávez and Islamic Terrorists. Hugo Chávez steals millions from his people to manipulate people in the U.S. From the comments I'm reading here, except for Mr. Gist's, I'm afraid he is achieving his purpose. My family and friends in Ecuador are now in the hands of a dictator, Rafael Correa, whose campaign was paid by Chávez and FARC. They were both working with FARC to undermine Uribe, because he is a friend of the U.S. They are aslo working with Islamics to harm the United States. We can't defend ourselves because we are in a ditatorship. Please do become informed, but not with "news" from the enemies of the United States, but with real news.
by
Antonio Calderon (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments)
on Friday, March 14, 2008 at 7:00:02 PM
