US aircraft carrier docked nearby poses no threat, Venezuelan defense chie

[Judi Lynn]

UPDATED: 13:34, August 23, 2005
US aircraft carrier docked nearby poses no threat, Venezuelan defense chief

US aircraft carrier with 1,500 Marines on board which docked last Friday in the island of Curacao, north of Venezuela, did not pose a threat to the country, Defense Minister Orlando Maniglia said Monday.

In remarks to the state-run Venezuelan Television, Maniglia said this was a resting stopover after a nine-day naval drill, adding that a similar situation took place three months ago.

"They planned to have a resting day, like in the other occasion," he said.

But he noted that any foreign military approach off Venezuela's coasts will be closely followed.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez termed the presence in March of a US aircraft carrier in Curacao as an "act of provocation," but Venezuelan Ambassador to the United States William Brownfield later said the tension only was generated by a "lack of communication."
(snip/...)

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200508/23/eng20050823_204154.html

[Maple]

1. 'But

he noted that any foreign military approach off Venezuela's coasts will be closely followed.'

Good thinking

[CottonBear]

3. The Grenadians know what it is to be targeted by the US.

Grenada is a tiny (but beautiful) island. Venezuela is much larger.

I have Grenadian friends who are still suffering from the effects and the political upheaval of the US invasion.

What the hell is * thinking? We are being "ruled" by a mad man. Is he thinking of invading Venezuela? He must be out of his fucking mind.

[Al-CIAda]

5. He isn't...yes we are...yes he is...yes he is. nt

[Fire Walk With Me]

2. "America..poses no threat" just doesn't ring true anymore.

[Sgent]

4. Wow

I never heard of an AC fleet in Curacao. Saw some British and French vessels, but never any US other than the USCG. My parents (just asked them) never saw one either (they lived in Bonaire for 3 yrs).

ABC Islands = Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, make up the Netherland Antilles.

[satya]

6. Did Pat Robertson let the cat out of the bag? n/t

[mom cat]

10. He must have read his talking points.

[anotherdrew]

15. omg - that's a scary thought - I hope not

[aquart]

7. It's called a "show of force."

And it's international muscle flexing. It's NOT an act of war. It isn't really a provocation. Just a whole lotta implied threat. We REALLY want Venezuela's oil.

Unfortunately, our diplomacy (and assassination attempts) did not go over well.

[0007]

8. Is this how the shake down racket works?

Is it called intimidation? The U.S. is the number one bully in the world.

[Kolesar]

9. Against the back drop of an attempt by the US-CIA to depose Chavez in 4/02

They got so far as abducting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. This was reported by Greg Palast. Mexican President Fox voiced his objections to *, which gives the story credibility.

[classysassy]

12. The real bully

Bushco and his greedy partners in crime.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

13. I did find it interesting that the carrier was named the

USS Knuckles.

[MaineDem]

11. I find this disturbing

I know the Navy makes "goodwill" port calls all over the world but the closeness to Venezuela at this time causes me concern.

[barb162]

14. Is Pat Robertson on the carrier?

I think we need to maybe stop playing gunboat diplomacy. Reminds me of Theodore Roosevelt and I don't think it works anymore

[daleo]

17. Robertson may not be there.

But I bet he has been praying hard for a carrier.

[Gyre]

16. Gunboat diplomacy

but who would expect more of the chimp?

Gyre

[Bozita]

18. Carriers don't often take 1,500 Marines on a vacation cruise

Sounds a lot like intimidation, pure and simple.

[Porcupine]

19. Chavez must have the oil facilities rigged to blow.

He knows damn well that if Venezualan oil quits going to America the shit hits the fan at U.S. gas pumps. We just can't afford to lose his oil right now politically. We can't get facilities up and running again if they are sabotaged and we have to fight ANOTHER "insurgency."


He is probably right know studying Iraqi resistance forces response to the U.S. invasion and resetting his military to disperse and respond. He's going to call our bluff and invite the Chinese in. They got missles that can tag that carrier.