Venezuela Invites US Officials to see Results of Investigations

[Say_What]

Venezuelan Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez's letter to the US Senate follows the excerpts.

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Venezuelan Ambassador to the United States Bernardo Alvarez, sent a letter to members of the Subcommittees of International Operations, to Representatives of the U.S. Senate, and to other officials of the American government, to clarify several acusations against the Venezuelan government done by some Colombian newspapers.

"My country has been falsely accused of sheltering terrorist activities against Colombia in our territory, of supporting Colombian guerillas, and, by innuendo, it has even been suggested that there is some form of alliance between the Venezuelan government and Colombian subversives. This campaign has manipulated and misrepresented facts and has created false impressions and negative opinions about Venezuela," Alvarez said.

According to Alvarez, the Venezuelan government has investigated several of the allegations, and he invited the U.S. officials meet in order to discuss their concerns and the results of those investigations.

The Ambassador also asked members of the Subcommittees of International Operations, to eliminate SEC. 687 in the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill (HR2800) on the grounds that the way it is drafted, suggests that the Venezuelan government could be “assisting, harboring, or providing sanctuary for Colombian terrorist organizations.”

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1092

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Letter from Venezuelan Ambassador to the United States to U.S. officials with regard to Colmbian media accusations and the U.S. Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill
Thursday, Nov 06, 2003

By: Embassy of Venezuela in the United States

The Honorable
United States Senate
Washington, D.C.

Dear Senator

Washington, November 5, 2003

For several years, the Venezuelan government has been following with increased concern, the unfolding of a media campaign in the Colombian and opposition-controlled Venezuelan press that is directed against the reputation and standing of my country, my government and that of President Hugo Chavez Frias.

This campaign has manipulated and misrepresented facts and has created false impressions and negative opinions about Venezuela. My country has been falsely accused of sheltering terrorist activities against Colombia in our territory, of supporting Colombian guerillas, and, by innuendo, it has even been suggested that there is some form of alliance between the Venezuelan government and Colombian subversives.

None of these allegations, innuendos, or suggestions are true or supported by credible evidence. To the contrary, it is our view that this campaign is a product of collaboration between the Venezuelan opposition and those who oppose the Venezuelan government’s reform efforts and seek to preserve the social and economic status quo.

We are aware of certain specific allegations that have been made against our country in this regard, and, in response, have investigated them in detail. Conscious that this manipulation of information has significantly affected my country and has affected its relations with other countries, I would like to share with you the results of our investigation. I extend to you an invitation to sit down with us to discuss your concerns in detail so that we may address those issues on a basis of fact rather than innuendo. We are confident that through this process, you would conclude, as have we, through a detailed investigation, that there is no merit to these allegations.

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1. I hope the administration would accept this invitation...

from Venezuela. I fear the U.S. will send the spooks and 'Bug Man' Tom Delay to rid the White House of it problem.

[9215]

2. Brilliant move, IMO

This could defang the accusers, while at the same time keeping Venezuela in the spotlight. Also if the news media starts snooping around Columbia they may expose the CIA shit going on there. "Plan Columbia" was what Wellstone went to Columbia to investigate when there was an apparent attempt to assasinate him. This is not confirmed though.

[Say_What]

3. This is how I see it too. Little by the little Venezuela is presenting

the evidence so that the globe can take it in and digest it. Not that US actions are any surprise to anyone who looks back over history, however. Consequently, the US--denying any wrong doing at every turn and publishing smoke screens such as Venezuela is *polarized* and the US is *worried*--is looking more and more like the liars they actually are.

Speaking of US dirty tricks, a new film has just opened; Hidden in Plain Sight is the story of the School of the Americas in Latin America. Some of the interviews are absolutely riveting, especially the one with Sister Dianna Ortiz. Here's a link to the movie, which is playing at several locations including the Roxy in San Francisco and Rafael Film Center in San Rafael. Other locations around the country are also listed. They reviewed it last night on Democracy Now!--definitely a must see.

http://www.hiddeninplainsight.org/pages/screenings.html


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Every November, thousands of people from across North America gather outside Fort Benning, Georgia to form one of the largest anti-war demonstrations in the U.S. since the Vietnam War. The issue is the controversial U.S. Army School of the Americas, where over 60,000 Latin soldiers have been trained, among them dictators like Manuel Noriega of Panama and death squad leaders like Roberto D’Aubuisson of El Salvador.

Demonstrators denounce the SOA as a “School of Assassins,” but Army officials argue that the school has played a crucial role in bringing democracy and stability to Latin America. On this issue, the U.S. Congress is sharply divided. Enter noted scholars Noam Chomsky, Eduardo Galeano, Christopher Hitchens, and Michael Parenti, who broaden the debate to include such subjects as militarism, globalization, national security, and international terrorism. Personal accounts from victims of the violence and repression in Latin America raise questions and concerns about the true aims of U.S. foreign policy.

Informative and provocative, this documentary presents different points of view which illuminate the turbulent reality of Latin America, demystify the policy-making process, and shed light on some of the most complex and urgent problems facing U.S. citizens today.

A short history, a spirited debate, a personal story, and a call for accountability, “Hidden in Plain Sight” is a bold, unflinching look at the nature and consequences of U.S. policy in Latin America.

Featured Speakers: Sandra Alvarez, Hector Aristizabal, Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr. (D-Ga.), Maj. Joseph Blair, Father Roy Bourgeois, Noam Chomsky, Rep. Mac Collins (R-Ga.), Ana Chavez Fisher, Eduardo Galeano, Christopher Hitchens, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Ca.), Maj. Gen. John LeMoyne, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Ma.), Sister Dianna Ortiz, Michael Parenti, Col. Glenn Weidner.

http://www.hiddeninplainsight.org/main/home.html