Venezuela's Chavez no threat to region -Jackson (Jesse)

[sabra]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N2827786.htm

Venezuela's Chavez no threat to region -Jackson

CARACAS, Venezuela, Aug 28 (Reuters) - U.S. civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson on Sunday rejected U.S. government claims that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is a threat to regional stability and called on both governments to curb escalating rhetoric to resolve their differences.

Relations between Venezuela and the United States, strained since left-winger Chavez first won office in 1998, have deteriorated in recent weeks after U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld repeated accusations during a South American tour that Chavez was fomenting regional instability.

Jackson, who plans to meet with Chavez during a three-day visit to Venezuela, said the U.S. charges were baseless but that both sides should work to scale back their war of words.

"There is no evidence that is stated and established that this government is in fact a source of instability," Jackson told reporters at a news conference. "I hope that we would reduce the rhetoric that exacerbates tensions."

[getmeouttahere]

1. thank you, Jesse!

Give my best wishes to Prez Chavez!

[Peace Patriot]

2. The real threat in all this is that the American people will learn what...

...HONEST elections can produce--a government, like that of Hugo Chavez, that cares about the poor, and the great majority of the people, and tries to DO something for them.

Venezuela = electronic voting with OPEN SOURCE CODE.

U.S.A. = electronic voting controlled by two far rightwing corporations (Diebold and ES&S) using SECRET, PROPRIETARY programming code.

Hint, hint. (Wake up, Americans! Into 'Boston Harbor' with their election theft machines!)

[IndianaGreen]

3. BBC: Jackson defends Venezuelan head

Last Updated: Sunday, 28 August 2005, 21:31 GMT 22:31 UK

Jackson defends Venezuelan head

US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson has offered his support to the Venezuelan president after a call by a US TV evangelist for his assassination.

Rev Jackson denounced Pat Robertson's suggestion that US agents should kill Hugo Chavez as "immoral" and "illegal".

<snip>

Rev Jackson later met and shook hands with Mr Chavez during the Venezuelan leader's weekly radio and television programme, the Associated Press reports.

Mr Jackson's visit is a propaganda coup for the Venezuelan president, says the BBC's Justin Webb in Caracas.

Mr Chavez is likely to use the reverend's presence to demand that the White House apologise for Mr Robertson's remarks, our correspondent adds.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4193574.stm

[alarcojon]

6. So the imbecile Pat Robertson has apologized

but the damage has been done:

However, senior members of Mr Chavez's government have said they take the threat from the US very seriously.

I love the last line of the article, which points out that, though Venezuela is no longer our "partner" in the "War on Drugs", we're still happy to buy oil from them. Ah, Bush, Oily Dick and the rest of them...

The two nations have recently broken off co-operation on combating illegal drugs, though America still buys Venezuelan oil. The nation is the world's fifth-largest producer.

[IndianaGreen]

16. We bought Iraqi oil up until the day of the invasion!

I take no comfort in that fact.

[1932]

4. Wish he'd say Chavez is a threat to INstability caused by neoliberal

wealth-polarizing policies.

[glendavis77]

5. photo

[Judi Lynn]

13. Great photo! Thanks for posting it. n/t

[IChing]

7. Rev. Jackson Lends Support to Chavez

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- The Rev. Jesse Jackson offered support for President Hugo Chavez on Sunday, saying a call for his assassination by a U.S. religious broadcaster was a criminal act and that Washington and Venezuela should work out their differences through diplomacy.

The U.S. civil rights leader condemned last week's suggestion by Pat Robertson that American agents should kill the leftist Venezuelan leader, calling the conservative commentator's statements "immoral" and "illegal."

Jackson urged U.S. authorities to take action, and said the U.S. government must choose "diplomacy over any threats of sabotage or isolation or assassination."

"We must choose a civilized policy of rational conversation," he told reporters at a news conference.>>>>snip

[babylonsister]

8. This annoys me. Why couldn't he have lent support to Cindy? nt

[IChing]

11. Why does it take three black men stand up and do the right thing?

John Conyers, Al Sharpton, and yes Rev. Jackson.

We should have had all our democratic leaders behind all of these issues that they have taken on. Yes to Cindy, yes the DSM, yes the Pat roberson shit,

(which I think is an issue for Pat is a Repug and former repug presidential candidate) and it is against federal law to advocate what he did against Chavez.

[babylonsister]

12. I can't imagine where the Dem party is right now.

I'm disappointed as is everyone. And I think they know this. What ticks me off is all the negative press the blivet is getting for taking a 5-week vacation, and not a peep out of the Dems, who are doing likewise for the most part, except for an occasional press release. Our leaders are missing!

[alarcojon]

17. Good Point

Like the Congressional Black Caucus speaking truth to power in Fahrenheit 9/11.

[applegrove]

9. Chavez is only asking for 30% of the oil profits. It could be much worse.

[katsy]

10. Maybe it wouldn't have helped Cindy.

I think Cindy's message is loud and clear. It speaks to every mother's nightmare.

Rev. Jackson condemning robertson is better served in this case.

[genius]

14. Where is the site for this one?

This is great.

[IChing]

15. here is the AP news link I posted

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/V/VENEZUELA_US_JACKSON?SITE=MNMAN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-08-28-22-43-06