Venezuela Pushes for Social Agenda and Debate on Existing Economic Model

[Say_What]

Chavez noted in his speech that "Poverty has increased. In 1995 the FTAA was first proposed, 110 million people in the region were poor, now poverty affects 227 million,". Also, check remarks about PretzelBoy at the end of the article.

<clips>
Venezuela Pushes for Social Agenda and Debate on Existing Economic Model at Summit of the Americas

Monterrey, Mexico. January 13, 2004 (Venezuelanalysis.com).- Shortly after arriving at Monterrey, México, to participate at the Summit of the Americas, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez expressed hopes that the Summit takes into account social issues and not just free trade as the fundamental aspect for the region’s development.

On Monday night, during his unscheduled intervention at the Summit's inaugural meeting, Chavez criticized the neoliberal policies being promoted by developed countries, and argued that it is impossible for developing countries to experience sustainable economic growth and social equity by applying these economic models. Chavez was expected to speak on Tuesday, but he was asked to speak on Monday night on short notice.

"If we seriously want to talk about economic growth and social justice in Latin America and the Caribbean, we must debate around the current economic model that we have," said the Venezuelan President.

U.S. Roosevelt: a courageous President

Chavez mentioned US President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "new deal" implemented during the US economic depression of the 30's. He hailed Roosevelt as a courageous President for championing a new economic policy during those harsh days of depression.

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1168


Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez ,who will participate in the Special Summit of the Americas, waves to the media upon his arrival in Monterrey at Mariano Escobedo International airport Monday Jan. 12, 2004, in Mexico. The 34 members of the Organization of American States are meeting in Monterrey January 12-13. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

[Judi Lynn]

1. For any DU Spanish speakers

Hugo Chavez is speaking, can be heard on this link, reachable from Say_What's link above:

http://www.oas.org/OASpage/live/oaslive4.asp

No translation available right now.
12:53 p.m., EST

On edit:

I think his Spanish is just the slightest bit better than _Bush's Spanish, gasp.

OAS meeting broadcast live.

Panama speaker currently, following Vicente Fox.

[La_Serpiente]

2. Aghhh

Perdi su oracion.

[Judi Lynn]

4. The transmission's a little goofy

It seems to come back if you click the "refresh" button, after some faltering.

It appears Vincente Fox is officiating the meeting. Chile is speaking now.

[La_Serpiente]

5. Notice the president of Ecuador

he is talking about the rights of indigenous people and being culturally sensitive. In fact, most of the speakers are talking about the rights of indigenous people.

No wonder Bush can't relate to them. He doesn't think about this stuff everyday.

[Say_What]

6. Ecuador and the oil law suit update

Amazing how much we DON'T hear about what's going on in the southern half of the hemisphere. At least one activist associated with the indigenous who brought this law suit has been murdered there in the past few months.

<clips>

In Ecuador, taking an oil giant to task
César Chelala and Alejandro M. Garro IHT
Monday, January 12, 2004
Ecuador

NEW YORK Drilling for oil without adequate safeguards is one of the most destructive processes to man and the environment. This fact has been particularly apparent in the Ecuadorean area of the Amazon basin, where Texaco - which later merged with Chevron - drilled for oil from 1964 through 1992. ChevronTexaco is now facing a billion-dollar legal battle for polluting significant portions of the Ecuadorean Amazon. The outcome of this legal battle will set the standards under which powerful multinational companies will be held accountable for harming the health of the population in their working areas, and for polluting the environment in many developing countries.

Oil exploration involves a complex set of activities, starting with the construction of roads into remote areas, destroying the natural habitat. Waste substances from oil drilling are stored in pits. Unless these pits are properly lined, toxic substances leak into the water supply, polluting rivers and lakes, killing fish, and threatening the survival of people and livestock.

Such toxic dumping has affected a local indigenous community of 30,000 people in Ecuador, and has led to a loss of one million hectares, or 2.5 million acres, of rain forest. The "Yana Curi" report (from the local indigenous expression for oil) was one of the first studies on the effects of oil pollution on people's health in the northeast region of the Ecuadorean Amazon. The study was conducted in the village of San Carlos, where more than 30 wells were built by Texaco; it was prepared by two medical doctors in collaboration with the Department of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene at the University of London.

According to the study, exposure to toxic substances resulted from absorption through the skin, ingestion of food and water and inhalation of oil and its gases. The study estimates that the water used by local residents for drinking, bathing and washing clothes contains nearly 150 times the amount of substances such as hydrocarbons that is considered safe.

http://www.iht.com/cgi-bin/generic.cgi?template=articleprint.tmplh&ArticleId=124620

[ret5hd]

3. A truly great leader at a truly important time. (nt)

[reprobate]

7. BBC World said last night that South America......

....was rebelling against the giant to the north.

Apparently george is TRULY a uniter. Europe, south america, the middle east, hell, everyone hates us now.