Hurricane Hugo at the U.N.

By Mike Whitney


09/18/05 "ICH" -- -- "Practically no one in the United States knows that we've donated millions of dollars to the governorship of Louisiana, to the New Orleans Red Cross. We're now giving care to more than 5,000 victims, and now we're going to supply gasoline, freely in some cases, and with discounts in other cases, to the poorest of communities, starting with New Orleans and its surroundings... We've been helping. And we've been even rescuing people." Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez; "Nightline" with Ted Koppel, 9-16-05


Hugo Chavez's performance at the UN was greeted with the bucket-loads of bile that one expects from America's rightward-titling media. Washington Post hatchet-man Colum Lynch provided a typical summary of the speech by dismissing it as "a rant" from the Venezuelan "bad-boy". But, Lynch isn't alone in his hostility; the outpouring of venom came from all corners; appearing in many newspapers across the nation, invoking the hackneyed expressions of contempt for any foreign leader who rebuffs Washington or who follows redistributive economic policies.

In fact, the speech was a brilliant and impassioned analysis of the current state of the world and of the United Nations. Chavez noted that the original intention of the gathering had been "completely distorted" by the so-called reform process introduced by John Bolton. The reforms are entirely designed to transform the UN into a cats-paw for American power creating greater flexibility for Washington's preemptive wars and for dismantling the foundations of international law. They signal the demise of the UN as a legitimate forum for world development and an invitation for Bush and co. to act with even greater impunity.

The Bush administration's maneuvering has successfully sabotaged the efforts made by the international community for real improvement. The goals of the Millennium Summit, to reduce hunger, poverty and ignorance, will not be achieved and the mission of the UN has been effectively torpedoed by Bolton's machinations. Chavez speech draws this same obvious conclusion: "Friends of the world, The United Nations has exhausted its model, and it is not all about reform. The XXI century claims deep changes that will only be possible if a new organization is founded. This UN does not work. We have to say it. It is the truth."

Chavez's remarks are not intended to disgrace the UN, but to offer a different vision for the future. He recognizes the pressing requirements of the new century and realizes that many of these problems "do not have a national solution: radioactive clouds, world oil prices, diseases, warming of the planet or the hole in the ozone layer. These are not domestic problems."

Chavez proposes his own set of reforms for the UN, including expansion of the Security Council, greater transparency, increasing the powers of the Secretary General, and "suppressing" the power of one nation to veto resolutions made by the council. But, he does not believe that reforms are enough by themselves and insists that the UN be transformed completely, beginning with a change of venue from New York to an "international city with its own sovereignty". Chavez's logic is inescapable; if the United States continues to flaunt UN resolutions and violate international law, as it has with the Iraq war, it should not be host to the world body. Chavez's suggestion was not made to humiliate the United States, but to demonstrate the urgency of the calamity the world faces if action is not taken swiftly on matters of mutual concern. Chavez takes a keen interest in these issues even though Washington chooses to ignore them.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are facing an unprecedented energy crisis in which an unstoppable increase of energy is perilously reaching record highs, as well as the incapacity of increase oil supply and the perspective of a decline in the proven reserves of fuel worldwide. Oil is starting to become exhausted.

For the year 2020 the daily demand for oil will be 120 million barrels. Such demand, even without counting future increments- would consume in 20 years what humanity has used up to now. This means that more carbon dioxide will inevitably be increased, thus warming our planet even more."

Chavez cogently draws a straight line between global warming to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina; the first major city lost because from rising ocean temperatures. He deftly connects the tragedy to the neoliberal economic model which continues to thrust the world in a catastrophic direction.

"It is unpractical and unethical to sacrifice the human race by appealing in an insane manner the validity of a socioeconomic model that has a galloping destructive capacity. It would be suicidal to spread it and impose it as an infallible remedy for the evils which are caused precisely by them."

Chavez also defended his record as a reformer and a man willing to take risks for the sake of his own people. In one particularly stinging remark, he noted the progress that had been made in Venezuela since 9-11, while the Bush administration was busy using the pretext of terrorism to violate international law and initiate hostilities against Iraq.

"One million four hundred and six thousand Venezuelans learned to read and write. We are 25 million total. And the country will, in a few days, be declared an illiteracy-free territory. And three million Venezuelans, who had always been excluded because of poverty, are now part of primary, secondary and higher studies.

Seventeen million Venezuelans, almost 70% of the population, are receiving, and for the first time, universal healthcare, including the medicine, and in a few years, all Venezuelans will have free access to an excellent healthcare service. More that a million seven hundred tons of food are channeled to over 12 million people at subsidized prices, almost half the population. One million gets them completely free, as they are in a transition period. More than 700 thousand new jobs have been created, thus reducing unemployment by 9 points. All of this amid internal and external aggressions, including a coup d'etat and an oil industry shutdown organized by Washington."

Unlike Bush, Chavez's record is backed up by a solid performance in nearly every area of social development. Its no wonder the elitist American media, driven by their class-based ideology, has tried so desperately to discredit him.

Chavez oratory to the General Assembly will undoubtedly elevate him in the eyes of many as a serious futurist who offers genuine solutions for a war-ravaged planet. His personal fortitude and optimism are matched by his selfless conduct as President; working persistently on behalf of his people and strengthening global relations. His iconic image around the world is well deserved.

"We will fight for Venezuela, for Latin American integration and the world. We reaffirm our infinite faith in humankind. We are thirsty for peace and justice in order to survive as species... Now is the time to not allow our hands to be idle or our souls to rest until we save humanity."

His speech was received with thunderous applause.

(Note: "Operation Balboa; the plan to invade Venezuela; President Chavez announced on "Nightline" Friday edition 9-16-05 that, "I have evidence that there are plans to invade Venezuela. Furthermore, we have documentation: how many bombers will over-fly Venezuela on the day of the invasion, how many trans-Atlantic carriers, how many aircraft carriers need to be sent to (inaudible) even during (inaudible)." The US is carrying out maneuvers at Curacao Island, and Chavez claims to have documentation to back up his allegations. "The plan is called Balboa and Venezuela is indicated as its objective.")

Information Clearing House, 18/09/2005

__________________
"Never argue with an idiot, they'll just bring you
down to their level and beat you with experience." (c)TB

September 24, 2004

President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez has modeled himself after past and present revolutionary leaders such as Simon Bolivar and Fidel Castro. His great admiration of the Cuban Revolution and friendly relationship with Fidel Castro has given America the perception that Chavez is the next Castro. The reason why this notion of Chavez being the next Castro is so prevalent is because Venezuela has the fifth largest oil deposit in the world and is the second largest supplier of oil to the United States. Buddy, buddy relations between the two men has concerned the “American Machine” because of the possible spread of communism, “Domino Theory.” Although this idea is preposterous, and the spread of communism is highly unlikely America can’t have another Fidel running around in Latin America especially because of the interest in petroleum in Venezuela and other natural resources the country boasts.

The Next Castro?
Chavez claimed that his revolution is built around that of Cuban Revolution and emulates himself after Fidel Castro. The question is “Will Hugo Chavez be the next Fidel Castro?” No one really knows, but the truth of the matter is that Chavez has only been in office for five years and he is already losing a lot of support from his staunch followers. Now on the other hand Castro has been in office for over forty years but yet he still maintains a large amount of support from people in Cuba, as well as admiration from people all over the world for the struggle that the Cubans have endured by a trade embargo, and have been on the receiving end of harsh American rule.

Due to how popular the United States is right now, attacks against the Cubans have made the United States even more unpopular. Nationalism among Cubans and Cuban Americans has become even more profound. The bottom line is that the genuine charisma of Fidel Castro has enabled him to catapult to the top, while the charisma of Hugo Chavez is manufactured, and seemingly not genuine. This is according to the Max Weber theory of “routinisation of charisma” where the charismatic qualities of one leader are transferred to another up and coming leader trying to instill the same rhetoric and ideologies as his predecessor. Even though the concept is manufactured and not genuine it is still considered charisma.

Many of Hugo Chavez’s ideologies are rooted from that of Castro and Bolivar, and he has proven that he is not able to maintain support on a national level for such a long period of time as Castro has. Some might say that the Cubans have no choice but to follow Castro’s lead but the truth of the matter is that there is always a choice. Castro had a choice to take up arms and overthrow the government, so there is always a choice no matter how far fetched it may seem.

If the people did not believe in Castro and deem him as a godly figure or “savoir” it is more than likely that the Revolutionary government would have been overthrown. An up and coming leader in Latin America is more often than not likely to rise out of disgust of the present government. Chavez is no exception to this rule; his rhetoric is often noted in socialism, and the ideologies of communism. Although Chavez claims that he is not communist his new social programs and land reforms have said otherwise. He says that his government is social democrat, and will not be taking the turn to communism.

Run Around
One might argue that Chavez is giving everybody the run around especially the United States about the communist theory. Another communist country in Latin America will set off alarms in America. Even though the likelihood of the “Domino theory” playing a role in Latin America is improbable, Venezuela is still the second largest petroleum supplier to the United States, and it under communist rule will probably rule out supplementation to America.

Chavez will never be anything close to what Castro is. The difference between the two is Castro fought for what he believed in, and was either ready to make his dream a reality or die doing so. Castro was organized, determined, and had a tactical plan for fighting the opposition when he organized the 26 th of July Movement. Chavez’s move to replace the government was quite different. In 1992 he and his movement attempted a coup with soldiers who were more loyal to him than to the Venezuelan Army.

Overthrow
Their plan was to overthrow President Carlos Andres Perez because of growing animosity at the economic austerity measures. The coup claimed eighteen lives and wounded sixty before Chavez put his arms down and surrendered. Nine months later while Chavez was still in jail his comrades tried to seize power again. He was given one minute on a national television station to announce the fall of the party, and pleading with his comrades to put their arms down. The failed coup laid the foundations for Chavez’s claim to fame.

Now look at things in perspective, while Hugo Chavez’s failed coup is similar to that of the failed coup on Moncada by Fidel Castro. Chavez’s attempt at overthrowing the government gave him hero status amongst the Venezuelan people, Castro’s failed coup gave him a chance to revitalize his soldiers, and declare guerilla warfare for over two years. It wasn’t a failed coup by Castro that earned him hero status among the oppressed Cubans it was constant fight and struggle through the Sierra Maestra that gave him such an appeal to the people. In addition to everything else Castro is charismatic.

Chavez is losing support quick among the Venezuelans, already there has been an unsuccessful coup on him in 2002, and recall referendum to vote him out of office. Even though he has survived both, his popularity rating among is rapidly losing support among the underprivileged lower-class and this is in a time frame of only five years. It doesn’t look like his term as the leader of Venezuela will last nearly as long as Castro’s 45 year reign. Castro, although unpopular among Americans, Cuban exiles in America, and Cubans who say that their human rights are violated under Castro every day of their lives, he still manages to maintain popular support in Cuba from people who see a unified Cuba under all every ethnic groups. People live vicariously through Castro in Latin America and all over the world because of his plight for the Cubans and promotion of nationalism and this is what people where hoping for in Venezuela, and that is not the case at all, because Chavez lacks one thing that Castro has relied on for all his years as leader of Cuba and that is charisma.

Conclusion
Castro’s charisma is genuine and has enabled Castro’s political career to catapult and to be loved and hated by many. While people would like to think that Chavez’s charisma is genuine, it is clearly not, and charisma is not a simple concept to grasp especially when referring to politics. Chavez’s has tried to be charismatic to have the same effects politically as Castro. Chavez’s reign will not last nearly as long as Castro’s because he lacks the appeal that Castro has and therefore the answer to the question is “no” Chavez will never be as charismatic as Castro is!

Luis Vega
link: http://goinside.com/04/9/chavez.html

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"Helden en getal zijn woorden die niet paren, leeuwen lopen in geen benden, veel kan zo weinig zijn. Macht van getal is zo vaak waan van macht. Wie zijn getal niet kent, kent zijn moed en één kan dan een leger zijn".- Cyriel Verschaeve -