Ecuador rebuts Insulza's opinion on Chávez's enabling law

[Judi Lynn]

CARACAS, Wednesday January 12, 2011
Integration | Foreign Office sends communiqué
Ecuador rebuts Insulza's opinion on Chávez's enabling law

In their view, the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS) “is not empowered to construe, let alone, apply to a selected case, international legal instruments in force in the OAS”

The Ecuadorian government on Wednesday termed "inapplicable" the stance taken by José Miguel Insulza, the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS) on the enabling law approved by Venezuela's National Assembly which vests in President Hugo Chávez special powers to govern for 18 months.

The statement "could set a precedent, which in the future may have an impact on any other OAS Member State, in inacceptable meddling in the internal affairs of States, in the sovereign exercise of their intrinsic functions and powers," stated a communiqué from the Ecuadorian Foreign Office, as quoted by Efe.

They think that Insulza "is not empowered to construe, let alone, apply to a selected case, international legal instruments in force in the OAS."

http://english.eluniversal.com/2011/01/12/en_pol_esp_ecuador-rebuts-insul_12A4969651.shtml
Opposition newspaper

[Peace Patriot]

1. Insulza sure didn't "meddle" on Honduras, when he had cause.

So why is he arbitrarily suddenly deciding he can tell countries what to do--only in the case of Venezuela?!

Earning his academic sinecures at Georgetown and Harvard, is he, and may appointment to a prestigious international legal commission? Those are some of the rewards of obeying Washington.

[social_critic]

2. Insulza isn't "meddling"

He mereley stated he felt the enabling law was a troubling development, and this should be discussed by the OEA membership. It will be up to the members to decide if they do discuss the anti democratic nature of the enabling law, and whether it justifies placing sanctions on Venezuela.

Evidently in Honduras' case the subject was brought up, it was discussed, and Honduras was suspended. I believe a similar discussion will take place about Venezuela's drift towards autocracy and possibly a fascist/communist/military dictatorship. But this will take time.

[social_critic]

3. Looks like Chavez is getting cold feet

He told Jaua on TV he could shorten the law's term. I think he's starting to realize they may pull a 350 on him soon. And it may be done by the Cubans themselves. Makes Correa look like an idiot, defending a law Chavez himself wants to disown now.