Eva Golinger on Venezuela
This is from a meeting that our Witness for Peace delegation had with Ms. Golinger on March 31, 2008.
U.S. Funding in Venezuela
Venezuela is not well known to the U.S., not even Caracazo. Previously known for stability and beautiful women, e.g. the Miss Universe contest.
Ms. Golinger has double citizenship, U.S. and VZ, having claimed her 2nd citizenship (through her mother) as an adult. She is a lawyer educated in New York.
She came to VZ pre-Chavez. It was a time of great repression. The military draft was done away with by Chavez because there was no enemy, so the draft was ridiculous and the military machinery didn't work. The latter was 40-50 years old. Even the tanks didn't work. The draft was weird and random, with poor men being dragged off the street or in a dance club. This didn't happen to those with more money. Now the army is 100% volunteer including the reserves.
Eva was in VZ for 5 years, then left in 1998 because nothing was happening.
The U.S. maintained a good relationship with VZ even before the last dictatorship. Rich Venezuelans went to the U.S. for tourism and shopping.
In 1998 things started to change, but slowly. It's hard to imagine there could be a big change. This was during the Clinton Administration. In VZ, in the 60's and 70's, more than 3000 leftist activists were disappeared, assassinated, or tortured. It was one of the key areas of concern for the U.S., connected with Cuba, so they began to send people here. Carilles started a counter-intelligence movement here.
In 1999-2000, the new constitution was written with 350 articles in five categories, including human rights. There was a package of 49 laws as an enabling act. That's what started the opposition to build and what riled the U.S. Under the hydrocarbons law, oil companies had to be 51% Venezuelan-owned.
Chavez was the only outspoken leader at the Canadian summit. VZ took over leadership of OPEC, of which it was a founding member. Chavez went to visit all the other members, including Saddam Hussein in Iraq.
The U.S. started to provide funding to various political parties and economic forces. In 2001 was the first substantial shift of the U.S. toward VZ. The two main funding entities were the National Endowment for Democracy and ____(?). She obtained information from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). As she outlines in The Chavez Code, the organization used U.S. taxpayers dollars to subvert democracy. It was supposed to be a private entity, created in 1983, but operates out of embassies.
In 2001, there was quadruple funding to build up the opposition movement. The funding went into the organization which organized the coup. Different NGOs , and political parties received funding. Two weeks after the coup, the State Department gave ? million, increased funding to the same groups. International Funding Institute, National Democratic Institute (Madeline Albright), AFFELD—Solidarity Center—infiltrated labor groups. Until two years ago it was the international arm of the AFL-CIO. This was doing something which was illegal in the U.S., i.e. funding foreign political parties, but in a covert way.
USAID – Famine relief, disaster aid, poverty. Billions of dollars, started under Kennedy, perverted to become subversion under the name of democracy. In 2005, created a military division with connections to the Pentagon and Southcom. Didn't have a presence in VZ before June, 2002. Office for Transition Initiatives. Only one in VZ today; in 2004 was in Bolivia, one in Haiti until removal of Aristide. Contract a private organization to administer funds to promote democracy: Development Alternatives, Inc. U.S. corporations which are taking 70% of the money into their own pockets, salaries of people administering the aid, $10 million budget in VZ in 2002.
In 2003, there were 64 days of severe economic sabotage. Every TV channel , except the government channel 8, devoted 24 hours to propaganda against the Chavez government. There was also a lockout of enterprises. No "rational" reason for food shortage. Companies were hoarding food, gasoline. Military finally had to intervene because people were starving.
Recall referendum to recall Chavez--$9 million of U.S. taxpayers dollars. Over 200 outside organizations observing the recall election.
Second front of attack
In 2005, more public attack. Condaleeza Rice is the crafter of the policy. She stated it in her confirmation hearings. Classified Chavez as a destabilizing element. In 2005 Gauss classified VZ as a hotspot. Building rhetoric—Pat Robertson's statement , Bush administration classified VZ as not cooperating in the war on drugs. VZ had discovered evidence that the DEA was sabotaging VZ's anti-drug efforts.
In 2006, Rumsfeld called Chavez a Hitler. John Negroponte stated that Chavez is one of the most threatening elements against the U.S. Repeated concepts of Chavez as a dictator, association with terrorism. State Department classification as a country "not fully collaborating with the War on Terror." There's no other country on that list. Hadn't figured out how they would still get oil if they put VZ on the more extreme list of a country aiding terrorists. Sanctioned against buying weapons, so VZ started to look towards other countries.
Then the famous Devil Speech by Chavez that sets off the media. Shows that Chavez had become a major political power. VZ tied to get a seat on the UN Security Council, but the U.S. pushed for Guatemala instead.
2007—U.S. statements worse. Called VZ complicit with drug trafficking, now #1 (cf. Columbia!).
2008—Bush trying to put VZ on a list of state-sponsored terrorism, sponsored by Kay Bailey Hutchinson. This is working right now in Congress. The famous super-laptop is the justification for placing VZ on the list.
U.S. bases border vZ maritime territory are expanding. Military exercise, first time in this region since the cold war—intimidate VZ by a show of U.S. force and power. The same tactic was used against Nicaragua, Granada before invading.
Operation Enduring Freedom in the Caribbean and Central America. Also happening in Bolivia—separatist movements. Zulia is the seat of VA opposition. Expanded base in Curacao.
Hostile Discourse, Increased Military Presence
Subversion in country, through funding, e.g. student groups on the right, subvert Chavez movement, ala Cointelpro in the U.S. When combined, marked and scare increase in aggression. Can see there's a goal of Destruction of the Bolivarian movement.
Subversion of referendum by incredible propaganda campaign, internal confusion, exploiting corruption, economic sabotage—no corn meal, milk, rice, toilet paper, car parts. National Guard uncovering warehouses with tons of sugar.
Plan Balboa—fictitious exercise to take over VZ to save and rescue Columbia, "The White Country," secure oil reserves.
Role of U.S. expatriates?
Q&A:
(Tom) Info on how U.S. is coordinating shortages of sugar, corn meal?
Kissinger, re Chile in 1970, "Make the economy scream."
May be controlled through a U.S. multinational not distributing. VZ distributors sending it across the border into Columbia. U.S. Government documents on website that Uriba is incorporating paramilitaries into the Columbian government.
Encroachment of Columbian paramilitaries into vZ, including in Petare (the barrio we visited). There is an area there called Little Columbia.
Almost 100 paramilitaries were arrested; they were trying to assassinate Chavez. Chavez pardoned 40 of them in order to get Uribe to let him facilitate the peace process.
U.S. elections?
John McCain—Man of War—has made several anti-Chavez comments.
Clinton—political strategist Mark Penn is working with the VZ opposition to make statements against Chavez.
U.S. embassy attempts to influence Fulbright scholars in Bolivia to spy on Cubans and Venezuelans there. No one has looked into Fulbrights in VZ. There are no Peace Corps projects in VZ.
Separatism in Kosovo – Philip Goldberg, now in Bolivia, encouraged separatism. Bolivian government has made him a persona non grata.
Ex-Presidents Club, includes Aznar from Spain and Fox from Mexico, with right-wing political think tanks, etc.
Creation of civilian reserves, joint exercises. Military trained with U.S. perspective. Can't see possibility of U.S. invasion.
Cuba has excercises of simulated invasion of the U.S.
Three main separatist movements, started 2005-2006 when William Brownfeld went to VZ as ambassador.
1. VZ is a clash with Venezuelan culture. Zulia is bordering Columbia, Pacific? Is important for agriculture. Another place is Margarita Island. Brownfeld would say how much he liked the independent Republic of Margarita. Not taken seriously in VA.
2. Bolivia – Santa Cruz. Very serious. Economic, racism against indigenous people, fascists who come to live there.
3. Ecuador
In upcoming elections, Chavista strategy to nominate one candidate for each position instead of multiple candidates, to strengthen position against opposition.
Take action on funding issue—Why are we funding political activity in VZ, feeding the conflict and polarization.
VZ Solidarity Network website—directly geared toward congressmen. Why don't we know more about it?
Legacy of Ashes, a book about the CIA
Respond to all the lies in the Washington Post and everywhere in the U.S. Why do they have to attach an adjective to Chavez's name every time they mention it? Why not just President Chavez. Go to editorial boards, like Condaleeza does.
Creation of Sister Cities project.
Public TV system at county and city level—lack of political position (community access channels).
VZ labor movement? Previous labor unions lost credibility. New union federation UNT. Bolivarian federation of workers. Internal conflicts among themselves. What's the role of a union in a worker-owned company? Chavez involved in the discussion.
Payments to journalists—Eva has a list in doc(?)
Program was created by Rockefeller—propaganda outlet? Brings journalists to the U.S.
Eva published a list of 33 journalists. Got branded as McCarthyism. Her apartment got ransacked. She became the subject of political cartoons that tried to smear her.
3/28 Washington Post, blog by William Arkin: fighting the war on terror from the Caribbean and Central America http://blog.washingtonpost.com/earlywarning/2008/03/fighting_the_war_on_terror_in.html
3/28 Rhode Island Troops deployed from R. I. Army National Guard
http://www.turnto10.com/northeast/jar/news.apx.-content-articles-JAR-2008-03-25-0009.html
www.chavezcode.com
Evagolinger@hotmail.com
U.S. Funding in Venezuela
Venezuela is not well known to the U.S., not even Caracazo. Previously known for stability and beautiful women, e.g. the Miss Universe contest.
Ms. Golinger has double citizenship, U.S. and VZ, having claimed her 2nd citizenship (through her mother) as an adult. She is a lawyer educated in New York.
She came to VZ pre-Chavez. It was a time of great repression. The military draft was done away with by Chavez because there was no enemy, so the draft was ridiculous and the military machinery didn't work. The latter was 40-50 years old. Even the tanks didn't work. The draft was weird and random, with poor men being dragged off the street or in a dance club. This didn't happen to those with more money. Now the army is 100% volunteer including the reserves.
Eva was in VZ for 5 years, then left in 1998 because nothing was happening.
The U.S. maintained a good relationship with VZ even before the last dictatorship. Rich Venezuelans went to the U.S. for tourism and shopping.
In 1998 things started to change, but slowly. It's hard to imagine there could be a big change. This was during the Clinton Administration. In VZ, in the 60's and 70's, more than 3000 leftist activists were disappeared, assassinated, or tortured. It was one of the key areas of concern for the U.S., connected with Cuba, so they began to send people here. Carilles started a counter-intelligence movement here.
In 1999-2000, the new constitution was written with 350 articles in five categories, including human rights. There was a package of 49 laws as an enabling act. That's what started the opposition to build and what riled the U.S. Under the hydrocarbons law, oil companies had to be 51% Venezuelan-owned.
Chavez was the only outspoken leader at the Canadian summit. VZ took over leadership of OPEC, of which it was a founding member. Chavez went to visit all the other members, including Saddam Hussein in Iraq.
The U.S. started to provide funding to various political parties and economic forces. In 2001 was the first substantial shift of the U.S. toward VZ. The two main funding entities were the National Endowment for Democracy and ____(?). She obtained information from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). As she outlines in The Chavez Code, the organization used U.S. taxpayers dollars to subvert democracy. It was supposed to be a private entity, created in 1983, but operates out of embassies.
In 2001, there was quadruple funding to build up the opposition movement. The funding went into the organization which organized the coup. Different NGOs , and political parties received funding. Two weeks after the coup, the State Department gave ? million, increased funding to the same groups. International Funding Institute, National Democratic Institute (Madeline Albright), AFFELD—Solidarity Center—infiltrated labor groups. Until two years ago it was the international arm of the AFL-CIO. This was doing something which was illegal in the U.S., i.e. funding foreign political parties, but in a covert way.
USAID – Famine relief, disaster aid, poverty. Billions of dollars, started under Kennedy, perverted to become subversion under the name of democracy. In 2005, created a military division with connections to the Pentagon and Southcom. Didn't have a presence in VZ before June, 2002. Office for Transition Initiatives. Only one in VZ today; in 2004 was in Bolivia, one in Haiti until removal of Aristide. Contract a private organization to administer funds to promote democracy: Development Alternatives, Inc. U.S. corporations which are taking 70% of the money into their own pockets, salaries of people administering the aid, $10 million budget in VZ in 2002.
In 2003, there were 64 days of severe economic sabotage. Every TV channel , except the government channel 8, devoted 24 hours to propaganda against the Chavez government. There was also a lockout of enterprises. No "rational" reason for food shortage. Companies were hoarding food, gasoline. Military finally had to intervene because people were starving.
Recall referendum to recall Chavez--$9 million of U.S. taxpayers dollars. Over 200 outside organizations observing the recall election.
Second front of attack
In 2005, more public attack. Condaleeza Rice is the crafter of the policy. She stated it in her confirmation hearings. Classified Chavez as a destabilizing element. In 2005 Gauss classified VZ as a hotspot. Building rhetoric—Pat Robertson's statement , Bush administration classified VZ as not cooperating in the war on drugs. VZ had discovered evidence that the DEA was sabotaging VZ's anti-drug efforts.
In 2006, Rumsfeld called Chavez a Hitler. John Negroponte stated that Chavez is one of the most threatening elements against the U.S. Repeated concepts of Chavez as a dictator, association with terrorism. State Department classification as a country "not fully collaborating with the War on Terror." There's no other country on that list. Hadn't figured out how they would still get oil if they put VZ on the more extreme list of a country aiding terrorists. Sanctioned against buying weapons, so VZ started to look towards other countries.
Then the famous Devil Speech by Chavez that sets off the media. Shows that Chavez had become a major political power. VZ tied to get a seat on the UN Security Council, but the U.S. pushed for Guatemala instead.
2007—U.S. statements worse. Called VZ complicit with drug trafficking, now #1 (cf. Columbia!).
2008—Bush trying to put VZ on a list of state-sponsored terrorism, sponsored by Kay Bailey Hutchinson. This is working right now in Congress. The famous super-laptop is the justification for placing VZ on the list.
U.S. bases border vZ maritime territory are expanding. Military exercise, first time in this region since the cold war—intimidate VZ by a show of U.S. force and power. The same tactic was used against Nicaragua, Granada before invading.
Operation Enduring Freedom in the Caribbean and Central America. Also happening in Bolivia—separatist movements. Zulia is the seat of VA opposition. Expanded base in Curacao.
Hostile Discourse, Increased Military Presence
Subversion in country, through funding, e.g. student groups on the right, subvert Chavez movement, ala Cointelpro in the U.S. When combined, marked and scare increase in aggression. Can see there's a goal of Destruction of the Bolivarian movement.
Subversion of referendum by incredible propaganda campaign, internal confusion, exploiting corruption, economic sabotage—no corn meal, milk, rice, toilet paper, car parts. National Guard uncovering warehouses with tons of sugar.
Plan Balboa—fictitious exercise to take over VZ to save and rescue Columbia, "The White Country," secure oil reserves.
Role of U.S. expatriates?
Q&A:
(Tom) Info on how U.S. is coordinating shortages of sugar, corn meal?
Kissinger, re Chile in 1970, "Make the economy scream."
May be controlled through a U.S. multinational not distributing. VZ distributors sending it across the border into Columbia. U.S. Government documents on website that Uriba is incorporating paramilitaries into the Columbian government.
Encroachment of Columbian paramilitaries into vZ, including in Petare (the barrio we visited). There is an area there called Little Columbia.
Almost 100 paramilitaries were arrested; they were trying to assassinate Chavez. Chavez pardoned 40 of them in order to get Uribe to let him facilitate the peace process.
U.S. elections?
John McCain—Man of War—has made several anti-Chavez comments.
Clinton—political strategist Mark Penn is working with the VZ opposition to make statements against Chavez.
U.S. embassy attempts to influence Fulbright scholars in Bolivia to spy on Cubans and Venezuelans there. No one has looked into Fulbrights in VZ. There are no Peace Corps projects in VZ.
Separatism in Kosovo – Philip Goldberg, now in Bolivia, encouraged separatism. Bolivian government has made him a persona non grata.
Ex-Presidents Club, includes Aznar from Spain and Fox from Mexico, with right-wing political think tanks, etc.
Creation of civilian reserves, joint exercises. Military trained with U.S. perspective. Can't see possibility of U.S. invasion.
Cuba has excercises of simulated invasion of the U.S.
Three main separatist movements, started 2005-2006 when William Brownfeld went to VZ as ambassador.
1. VZ is a clash with Venezuelan culture. Zulia is bordering Columbia, Pacific? Is important for agriculture. Another place is Margarita Island. Brownfeld would say how much he liked the independent Republic of Margarita. Not taken seriously in VA.
2. Bolivia – Santa Cruz. Very serious. Economic, racism against indigenous people, fascists who come to live there.
3. Ecuador
In upcoming elections, Chavista strategy to nominate one candidate for each position instead of multiple candidates, to strengthen position against opposition.
Take action on funding issue—Why are we funding political activity in VZ, feeding the conflict and polarization.
VZ Solidarity Network website—directly geared toward congressmen. Why don't we know more about it?
Legacy of Ashes, a book about the CIA
Respond to all the lies in the Washington Post and everywhere in the U.S. Why do they have to attach an adjective to Chavez's name every time they mention it? Why not just President Chavez. Go to editorial boards, like Condaleeza does.
Creation of Sister Cities project.
Public TV system at county and city level—lack of political position (community access channels).
VZ labor movement? Previous labor unions lost credibility. New union federation UNT. Bolivarian federation of workers. Internal conflicts among themselves. What's the role of a union in a worker-owned company? Chavez involved in the discussion.
Payments to journalists—Eva has a list in doc(?)
Program was created by Rockefeller—propaganda outlet? Brings journalists to the U.S.
Eva published a list of 33 journalists. Got branded as McCarthyism. Her apartment got ransacked. She became the subject of political cartoons that tried to smear her.
3/28 Washington Post, blog by William Arkin: fighting the war on terror from the Caribbean and Central America http://blog.washingtonpost.com/earlywarning/2008/03/fighting_the_war_on_terror_in.html
3/28 Rhode Island Troops deployed from R. I. Army National Guard
http://www.turnto10.com/northeast/jar/news.apx.-content-articles-JAR-2008-03-25-0009.html
www.chavezcode.com
Evagolinger@hotmail.com
Labels: Condaleeza Rice, Eva Golinger, Hugo Chavez, National Endowment for Democracy, paramilitaries, U.S.intervention, Venezuela, war on terror, Witness for Peace
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home