Latin America Leaders Balk at U.S. Plan

[Judi Lynn]

June 3, 2005 latimes.com
THE WORLD
Latin America Leaders Balk at U.S. Plan
Many oppose the push to get the OAS to set democratic standards, saying they want to avoid the Washington- Venezuela dispute.

By Paul Richter, Times Staff Writer


WASHINGTON — Latin American leaders are quietly resisting a Bush administration proposal to strengthen democracy in the region, saying they fear it was crafted to target Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

U.S. officials have been trying to persuade the Organization of American States to adopt what they say are standards for democratic government.

Diplomats from many countries fear that it is aimed at Chavez, viewed by some as an anti-U.S. leader, and that it also could amount to an invitation for the U.S.-dominated group to meddle in other nations' affairs.
(snip)

The dispute over the proposal, which will be the focus of discussion at an OAS meeting in Florida next week, also is a sign of Latin America's growing resistance to U.S. influence. Left-leaning leaders are now in charge of three-fourths of the hemisphere's governments.
(snip/...)

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-oas3jun03,1,69304.story?coll=la-headlines-world
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[anotherdrew]

1. we'll be needing some media standards too then

Like maybe yank the license for spreading treasonous lies?

[ugarte]

2. Notice how it's phrased: "...to strengthen democracy in the region..."

Total b.s. Translation: "...to strengthen corporate profits..."

[getmeouttahere]

3. BushCo should worry about strengthening democracy....

right here in Jesusland first. How is it that a democratically-elected government like Venezuela's is not strengthening democracy? I think this is a sign that the Latin American governments see right through the hypocricy coming out of Washington. They understand that BushCo isn't really interested in democracy, but unfettered capitalism.

www.handsoffvenezuela.org

[Spazito]

4. Good! The bush cabal attempt to regain control of Latin America

is failing miserably. This latest attempt is beyond pathetic and the Latin American countries can see right through it.

[getmeouttahere]

6. Exactly, Spazito....

it's as if BushCo is deliberately trying to re-define democracy, in their despicable terms. Which of course would be in keeping with so much of what constitutes their propaganda machine.

[tlcandie]

5. Hell I bet the US doesn't even hold up to those standards

UNLESS it is about rampant privatizing oil, water, lands!! I say stand up to the US and do your own thing... YOU decide what this hemisphere does and doesn't do...no longer the US!

Let Chavez lead them.. :applause:

[getmeouttahere]

7. Right on, tlcandie! Let Venezuela & Chavez....

be a model for what sovereign Latin American governments want to achieve. Leave them alone!

www.handsoffvenezuela.org

[Zorra]

8. The PNAC led Commander Cuckoobananas RW government is like

a bull in a china closet, diplomatically speaking. Their unmitigated diplomatic arrogance, combined with a policy of unwarranted military aggression, has now alienated the entire rest of the world, except perhaps for a few minor fascist ideologues in "Lower Managuador", and even these are only hanging on because the PNAC is subsidizing them.

The damage that Commander Cuckoobananas and the PNAC has done to the world view and the international relationships of the US is unprecedented, and will be irreparable as long as these thoughtless, tactless, classless boors remain in power. The nomination of John Bolton as US envoy to the UN is a real tribute to the "neanderthalian" arrogance and stupidity of the PNAC.

These clueless fools would do well to remember the African proverb quoted by Teddy Roosevelt: "Walk softly and carry a big stick".

The PNAC still plans to go on full throttle with it's plans to take over the world. Like spoiled, petulant children, their unevolved immature psyches are frustrated at the overwhelming stubborn resistance they have encountered to their plan for world conquest.

Should we expect a retaliatory temper tantrum from Mr. Danger and the frustrated schoolyard bullies in the near future?

"The global power of the financial centers is so great, that they can afford not to worry about the political tendency of those who hold power in a nation, if the economic program (in other words, the role that nation has in the global economic megaprogram) remains unaltered. The financial disciplines impose themselves upon the different colors of the world political spectrum in regards to the government of any nation. The great world power can tolerate a leftist government in any part of the world, as long as the government does not take measures that go against the needs of the world financial centers. But in no way will it tolerate that an alternative economic, political and social organization consolidate. For the megapolitics, the national politics are dwarfed and submit to the dictates of the financial centers. It will be this way until the dwarfs rebel."

http://flag.blackened.net/revolt/mexico/ezln/1997/jigsaw.html

[denverbill]

9. When they say 'democracy' they mean 'capitalism'.

Frankly, conservatives hate democracy, but they tolerate it as long as it's pro-capitalist. As soon as democracy leans even slightly socialist, democracy becomes a liability and it's time for a coup.

[damntexdem]

10. If the OAS really set democratic standards, ...

they'd target the U.S. for criticism.

[0007]

11. Good for them them....everthing junior does that is crafted for

democracy is indeed crafted for plunder it is about time someone stands up to the organized crime bullies of the world.