Opposition Demands Referendum in Venezuela

[AP]

Let's not forget that there's another democratic election rightwingers are trying to overturn down south (and east) of California.

From Associated Press

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Tens of thousands of Venezuelans celebrated in the streets after opposition leaders turned in 2.7 million signatures today to demand a referendum on ending Hugo Chavez's tumultuous presidency

...

"If they manage to arrange a referendum, we'll defeat them," Chavez said. "We've beaten them before and we'll do it again."...Opposition leaders kept their plans for delivering the signatures a secret, hoping to avoid clashes with Chavez supporters. The vote is allowed by Venezuela's constitution after the midpoint in a president's term. For Chavez, that was Tuesday

....

The United States, Venezuela's top oil client, has endorsed a referendum...Some recent independent polls suggest Venezuelans would vote 2-1 to oust Chavez in a referendum. Chavez claims his own polls show he has 70 percent support.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-082003chavez_wr,1,664851.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[GainesT1958]

1. One word of advice for them...

Be careful what you wish for in staging those recall elections...you may just GET IT!:eyes:

B-)

[mjb4]

2. Bushco supported the coup as well

why to people continue to ask why is america hated....

[Judi Lynn]

3. Some of Chavez's enemies are turning up in Iraq!

(snip) Old PDVSA negotiates jobs for dismissed rebels in Iraqi oil fields

Dismissed Venezuelan oil industry employees' leader, Juan Fernandez says many colleagues are applying for jobs with transnational oil companies seeking contracts in Iraq. Fernandez and his team of former Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) top executives and managers have sent a team to Baghdad to lobby and secure job openings for Venezuelan engineers and technical staff ... "I think that between 50 and 60 Venezuelans will join oil and service companies seeking contracts in Iraq."

The new venture forms a part of an ambitious plan Fernandez and other former executives have been mapping together since February. During trips to Europe and the USA to lobby support against President Hugo Chavez Frias and his refusal to allow oil sector strikers to return to their jobs, Fernandez & Co. have sent out feelers to Spanish business sectors, for example, regarding possible joint ventures and consultation contracts.

Fernandez says foreign oil companies could avoid Venezuelan government pressure not to employ former employees in Venezuela itself by hiring them to work abroad ... "we have received many requests form oil companies but Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) is applying pressure on foreign companies working in Venezuela not to hire the rebels."

The government counters arguing that there is no way it will reinstate employees that joined the national strike and nearly brought Venezuela's main company to its knees, insisting that the stoppage was highly political. (snip/...)

http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=10471

(What a surprise seeing oil people who sought to destroy Hugo Chavaez showing up in Iraq after Bush hurled us into a bogus war.)

[AP]

4. He'll take the money the US directs his way down to Venezuela

to help pay for a coup attempt.

[tlb]

5. 2.7 million people in a nation of approx 20 million

shouldn't be so lightly brushed off. With or without US approval there is a substantial movement against Chavez here.

Past anti Chavez street marches have included over a half million people. They are certainly speaking out in much higher proportions then Americans did 6 months ago.