Kerry Statement on Venezuela

John Kerry attacks Chávez...
lesser evil like Mussolini perhaps.

Macdonald

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [Venezuela_Today] Kerry Statement on Venezuela

==============================

Kerry Statement on Venezuela
March 19, 2004

With the future of the democratic process at a critical
juncture in Venezuela, we should work to bring all possible
international pressure to bear on President Chavez to allow
the referendum to proceed. The Administration should
demonstrate its true commitment to democracy in Latin
America by showing determined leadership now, while a
peaceful resolution can still be achieved.

Throughout his time in office, President Chavez has
repeatedly undermined democratic institutions by using
extra-legal means, including politically motivated
incarcerations, to consolidate power. In fact, his close
relationship with Fidel Castro has raised serious questions
about his commitment to leading a truly democratic
government.

Moreover, President Chavez's policies have been detrimental
to our interests and those of his neighbors. He has
compromised efforts to eradicate drug cultivation by
allowing Venezuela to become a haven for narco-terrorists,
and sowed instability in the region by supporting
anti-government insurgents in Colombia.

The referendum has given the people of Venezuela the
opportunity to express their views on his presidency
through constitutionally legitimate means. The
international community cannot allow President Chavez to
subvert this process, as he has attempted to do thus far.
He must be pressured to comply with the agreements he made
with the OAS and the Carter Center to allow the referendum
to proceed, respect the exercise of free expression, and
release political prisoners.

Too often in the past, this Administration has sent mixed
signals by supporting undemocratic processes in our own
hemisphere -- including in Venezuela, where they acquiesced
to a failed coup attempt against President Chavez. Having
just allowed the democratically elected leader to be cast
aside in Haiti, they should make a strong statement now by
leading the effort to preserve the fragile democracy in
Venezuela.
http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0319d.html



-- 
Macdonald Stainsby
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/rad-green
In the contradiction lies the hope
		--Brecht.



_______________________________________________
Rad-Green mailing list
[email protected]
To change your options or unsubscribe go to:
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/rad-green