www.vheadline.com Posted: Sunday, February 23, 2003 By: Oscar Heck

VHeadline.com commentarist Oscar Heck writes: I would like to give some examples of the fashion in which many (if not most) of the media reports generated by the privately-owned Venezuelan television stations are manipulated to suit the continuing anti-Chavez effort to oust him from power.

To add a taste of panic and desperation, most of the reports, especially those coming from Globovision, are both alarmist in nature and edited for maximum “brainwashing” impact ... often using “impending doom type” background music reminiscent of that used by CNN and others when the Twin Towers were attacked in NYC.

When reading the examples, imagine screaming, yelling, people crying, chaos, etc. ... all part of the audio-visual reporting style used.

Example 1:  February 21, 2003:

Globovision reports, with the corresponding video clips ... asking the rhetorical question:

“Why is it that John Doe, a well-know convicted murderer, is escorted handcuffed from one place to another escorted by only 5-6 police/security personnel (and calmly at that), while Carlos Fernandez is escorted handcuffed from one location to another by tens of armed security/police personnel closely surrounding him as if he were a violent criminal? Why is he being so badly treated?”

(Carlos Fernandez is the president of Fedecamaras ú a major Venezuelan business association ú recently arrested on five charges including treason).

Analyzed with a little bit of logic, the answers to the rhetorical questions posed by Globovision may be quite simple.

A known convicted murderer does not need to be escorted by many armed police people because if he does try to escape, the police will shoot him and nobody would complain. In addition, if there's someone out there that wants to assassinate the murderer while in police custody, say a family member of the victim, it is more convenient that the murderer not be closely surrounded or guarded, making an attempt at revenge easier. Nobody would complain if the convicted murderer were assassinated.

However, the case of Carlos Fernandez is quite different. There are probably people out there that want to assassinate him. (Before his arrest, he was regularly escorted by several bodyguards).  If Carlos Fernandez is not closely guarded by many armed police while in police custody, and if he is assassinated whilst in police custody, who will be blamed for his murder?  Certainly the Chavez government and possibly Chavez himself, for not providing adequate protection.

So why is Globovision, in such an alarmist fashion, reporting that Carlos Fernandez is being “so badly treated” by the police ... treated worse than a convicted murderer?

Why? Because they can use this in their anti-Chavez smear campaign ... and they're using it!

The opposition ... including Globovision personnel ... are now accusing the Chavez government of human rights violations in the Carlos Fernandez case, and people are taking to the streets in support of Fernandez.

Globovision does not explain to viewers the real reasons why Fernandez is being kept under such close police protection. It's simply not convenient at this time.

Example 2: February 21, 2003:

News reports are stating that Chavez personally approved the arrest of Carlos Fernandez ... that Chavez “gave the order,” thus making him "a dictator."  He is also being called heartless because he shows joy at "the misfortunes of others" ... in this particular case, the misfortunes of Carlos Fernandez.

In order to “prove” that this is “true,” Globovision and other media sources, are repeatedly showing a very well-edited video clip, where Chavez recounts his telephone discussion with the judge who issued the order for the immediate arrest of Fernandez.

According to this clip: Chavez says “ ...well, then go ahead...” then smiles a vengeful smile and says something to the effect of “...now I am happy and will sleep better...” ending by laughing and saying sarcastically that he will celebrate with some sweets that his mother sent him.

What Chavez said is true ... however, it is only a part of what Chavez said within a broader context. I have seen the unedited version ... the source of Globovision’s clip ... a lengthy speech that Chavez made on February 21, 2003, broadcast on Venezolana de Television, the government run station.

It went like this: Chavez was, as usual, talking about many issues including the role of the justice system in Venezuela, when he brought up the issue of the arrest of Fernandez. He said something to the effect “... and I received a call from the judge. He said to me that the court had signed an order for the immediate arrest of Carlos Fernandez, ordering the police force to take the action.  I replied ... well, if it was so decided, then, well, go ahead...” Then he smiled a vengeful smile and said “ ...now I am happy, and I'll sleep better...”  He said jokingly that he'd celebrate with some sweets his mother sent him, and he laughed.

Taken in context, Chavez was basically saying: Why call me for the OK to arrest Fernandez if the court has already decided? It makes a lot of sense to me that Chavez would be happy, especially since he has been complaining for years about the inefficiency of the justice system in Venezuela. There's also no doubt in my mind that Chavez was also “personally” satisfied with the arrest of Fernandez ... but his personal satisfaction was clearly overshadowed by his joy at the fact that the justice system is finally on the right track.

Also, why accuse Chavez of laughing at the misfortunes of others?

What has the opposition been doing for the last 10 weeks of so?

For people who are not familiar with how the Venezuelan justice system has traditionally operated, the Prosecutor General explained it quite well in a televised press release this same day regarding the arrest of Carlos Fernandez. He said that many Venezuelans will find the new justice system/process slow and lengthy compared with the system they had been accustomed to ... but that they should be patient because the new system is more fair and just.  He added that the new system is based on  judicial systems used in modern countries where the person charged has the right to full due process and defense ... unlike the system Venezuelans are used to ... the “systema de justicia policial” (police judicial system).

(I have first hand knowledge and experience of several cases which are reflective of the “old system”)

Example 3: February 21, 2003

Globovision reports live, from the Francisco Fajardo highway ... one of Caracas’ main traffic arteries ... as Juan Fernandez, the president of 'Petroleum People' (one of the main PDVSA union organizations) tries to convince demonstrators to stop blocking the highway, which they had been blocking since before his arrival.

The previous day, the Coordinadora Democratica (the main anti-Chavez movements) had publicly called for all Venezuelans to demonstrate (which usually includes blocking streets) throughout many areas of Caracas in support of Carlos Fernandez. The demonstration call was officially cancelled by CD in the afternoon , but a little too late since people had already begun to block the highways.

Why did Globovision do this live report? Especially when it is precisely Juan Fernandez, along with Carlos Fernandez, Carlos Ortega and the Coordinadora Democratica that ... for the last 10 weeks or so ... have been screaming and yelling, telling people to go out and march, to block the streets!

Juan Fernandez has never before asked people not to block the roads. On the contrary! So, why now, Juan?

• Why is it suddenly, that Juan Fernandez is being filmed trying to tell people not to block the highways?

Within the same report, Globovision announced that even with Juan Fernandez telling people not to block the highways, people refused to un-block the highway. It must be the will of the people! The reporter seemed very intent on “proving” this.

Will this Globovision reporting be used to "exonerate" Juan Fernandez?  Exonerate him from what?...  Like Carlos Fernandez, it is highly probable that within the next few days Juan Fernandez will also be arrested and charged with inciting people to unlawful acts and treason.

What has been happening with a goodly portion of the Venezuelan media ... especially since the National Assembly approved the “Ley Habilitante” (1991) ... a set of laws that include Land and Bank reforms ... is quite amazing.

One must see it to believe it.

Venezuelans have been bombarded incessantly with manipulated information, often under the guise of “editorials”, “commentaries”, “advertising”, “interviews” and “special news programs”, not to mention “news.”

Even with pending media content laws and legal action, it appears that a major portion of the media is circumventing the laws/regulations in an attempt to justify the continued dissemination of manipulated “news.”  Globovision especially, since they advertise themselves as an “all news, twenty-four hours per day” television station.

I've also been thinking of another issue.

Why has the opposition, along with what appears to be whole-hearted support from the private television stations, been constantly calling on all Venezuelans to “take to the streets.” This has been puzzling me for weeks (there are many other ways to protest). Their reason is that "this is the only thing that Chavez understands." It has also been puzzling me that simultaneously, this same media has constantly been bombarding us with “Bolivarian Circles are armed circles of terror” and that “crime is increasing dramatically”.

Here is my theory, another “paranoid” theory?

I calculate that since December 2, 2002, over 3.2 million man-hours have been expended solely in local police/security budgets for demonstrations and marches in six major Venezuelan cities ... not counting the use of equipment, gasoline, food, etc. (calculations are based on the number of security personnel used at Maracaibo’s demonstration of February 21, 2003, - an estimated 300,000 demonstrators. The policeman responsible for security announced that approximately 1,800 local security/police people were present.)

Two observations:

1. How much does this cost, and who pays for it?

2. Is this another diabolical tactic used by top opposition leaders to deviate security forces to the marches, thus increasing crime outside the demonstration perimeters?

Thieves are not that stupid. While the police force is occupied with demonstrations, they have easier access to committing crime. It is a well-known tactic used worldwide by criminals themselves in many robberies ... distraction ... and it usually works wonders for robbers.

Can the supposed increase in crime (which coincidentally appears to be occurring in the major cities, which coincidentally are also the most anti-Chavez areas) be caused directly or indirectly by the fact that so many demonstrations are taking place?

• And if crime is truly on the increase in these areas, then isn’t it coincidentally a perfect opportunity for the opposition to blame Chavez for it?

And isn’t it coincidental that the increase in crime is blamed on the Bolivarian Circles, these supposed circles of terror? They are certainly not at the opposition marches, and according to the vast majority of opposition supporters, the Chavistas belonging to these supposed circles of terror are unemployed and poor!

Here is another interesting subject:

All Venezuelans are now invited to a grand march “For the love of Venezuela” in Caracas and other cities. The difference with this march is that now they, the unnamed organizers are saying “Come, all Venezuelans, to the streets, to march for the love of Venezuela ... to embrace Venezuela ... here we are Lord ... for peace ...for civilization ... all together, we yell to our Lord ... here we are ... come all together together in prayer ... in the streets...“

This is a grand religious march scheduled today, Sunday, February 23, 2003.

Who is organizing it?

I've asked people if large religious marches of this kind are typical yearly events here in Caracas. The answer is no, this is the first year.

One took place last week, but I thought it was quite normal since it was called the “March of the Virgin Corromoto” the Venezuelan patron.

Oscar Heck oscarheck111@hotmail.com

www.vheadline.com Posted: Sunday, February 23, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Opposition Coordinadora Democratica (CD) wants international bodies to brand the Venezuelan government a “rogue State” because it is transgressing the law of the land by arresting Federation of Chambers of Industry & Commerce (Fedecamaras) president, Carlos Fernandez.

Opposition negotiator and former Chavist, Jose Luis Farias says he will take the proposal to a meeting of the Group of Friends scheduled in Brazil and will lobby the Organization of American States (OAS) general assembly  … “we want the OAS to guarantee compliance with the non-aggression signed last Friday.”

According to the opposition, Carlos Fernandez has done nothing wrong and the National Assembly board was out of order criticizing Spain, the USA and OAS for disagreeing with the government’s arrest of Fernandez.

www.hinduonnet.com By Sushma Ramachandran

NEW DELHI Feb. 23. With prospects of a war on Iraq continuing to loom large, the country is set to face a spiralling oil import bill as the hardening trend continues in international markets. What could be worse is supply disruptions, though the oil companies are confident that the current level of stocks will weather a brief sharp conflict.

The fact is, however, that the country still does not have a system of strategic oil storages though the plan to set these up is now finally under way. In case of a war taking place in the next few months, it is clear that the country's oil requirements will have to be met from the existing stocks in refineries and in the pipeline. This may not prove much of a problem for about three to four weeks, but a longer conflict could pose difficulties, especially since supplies from West Asian countries are likely to become problematic.

As far as the oil import bill is concerned, there may not be any immediate difficulty since foreign currency reserves are at an extremely comfortable level. But war can lead to volatilities in movement of capital. The situation thus has to be carefully monitored, especially in view of reports that NRI funds have been parked in a big way in this country. These issues will have to be factored in by the Finance Minister, Jaswant Singh, while making his budget calculations. A high oil import bill is bound to add to concerns over containing the fiscal deficit in both the current and next fiscals.

Presently international prices are ruling at about $32.50 per barrel of the benchmark Brent crude, but there are fears this could spurt to nearly $ 40 per barrel in case a war erupts. The hardening trend in world oil markets has been continuing for the last few months not just on fears of an Iraq war but also because of lower supplies due to an oil strike in Venezuela. Besides, demand for heating this winter has risen in Europe and the U.S. leading to further pressure on prices.

Even for 2002-03, the oil import bill is likely to reach $ 18 billion, largely because of the recent spurt in world prices rather than due to higher imports. Fortunately India does not have much of a demand for imports of oil products like diesel and kerosene owing to refining capacity having risen sharply in the last two years. It does need crude oil imports, however, as domestic production has plateaued around 30 million tonnes per annum, while consumption is rising steadily despite economic growth expected to remain at about five per cent this year.

Even efforts to improve domestic availability will take several years to fructify owing to past delay in finalising contracts under the new exploration licensing programme (NELP). Though award of these contracts has been tied up fairly rapidly over the last two years, it will take some time for the results to be seen. One positive development has been the huge gas discovery made by Reliance Industries off the west coast of Andhra Pradesh but even this will take several years to come into commercial production. Other efforts to tie up oil equity abroad are also fairly longterm projects.

As a result, policy-makers here are hoping that any war in West Asia is swiftly concluded as the country is well prepared to meet any short-term crisis.

www.zwire.com By: AMY REININK, Staff Writer February 23, 2003

Burton Wilson of Stoney Ridge looks for the lowest gas prices available when he has to fill up the two 15-gallon tanks that hold fuel for his 1992 Ford F150 pickup truck.

EASTON - Gas prices have spiked nearly 10 cents per gallon in the Washington, D.C., region in the past week, frustrating Eastern Shore drivers and forcing trucking companies to seriously watch their wallets to compensate. Maryland prices were up to an average of $1.62 per gallon for self-serve regular this week, up from $1.49 a month ago and $1.12 a year ago, according to the latest American Automobile Association survey. Local gas stations did not seem busier than normal, but those waiting to fuel up were annoyed nonetheless.

"It's outrageous," said Chris Lanning, 29, of Easton, after paying his tab. "I'm just dealing with it day by day."

Some, like Barry Curry, 43, of Salisbury, shopped for the lowest prices before pulling in. Curry decided on Elliott's Exxon on U.S. Route 50, where regular fuel cost $1.69 per gallon.

But most said they felt helpless to do anything but watch the numbers on the roadside stands multiply.

"It looks like it's going to go up, much to my dismay," said Bill Parker, 66, of Easton. "There's nothing you can really do - if you're going to travel, you're going to need gas."

Many local motorists also said they expected a more severe increase if the country goes to war with Iraq.

Personal drivers weren't the only ones stupefied by the spike. Local trucking companies said the high prices could seriously hurt business and cause them to raise their own prices to compensate.

"Diesel fuel has gone out of whack," said Gary Fox, president of Fox Trucking in Easton. "We've really got to pinch pennies now, because it's hard to get our freight rates up to match our fuel costs. It's pretty tough right now."

The industry has blamed tensions in the Middle East and a strike in Venezuela that has crippled that nation's petroleum industry. Venezuela is one of the largest exporters of crude oil to the United States.

AAA spokespeople this week said the increase is unwarranted and oil companies may be looking ahead to what could happen to crude oil prices if the United States invades Iraq.

"It's terrible, I resent it and it's a personal affront," said Bart Pelstring, a self-described "adult citizen" of Easton who was fueling at the Super Soda Center on Dover Street, where regular gas cost $1.59 per gallon. "Really? This is just goofy."

www.canada.com GILLIAN LIVINGSTON AND CHRIS MORRIS Canadian Press Sunday, February 23, 2003 

Canadians are facing sticker shock on a slew of products, from gasoline to heating costs, bread, milk and other basic grocery items, and it could put a deep dent in their budgets. (CP Archive)

TORONTO (CP) - Canadians are facing sticker shock on a slew of products, from gasoline to heating costs, bread, milk and other basic grocery items, and it could put a deep dent in their budgets.

Gas pump prices are already at 90 cents a litre in some parts of the country and the rising crude oil price to more than $35 US a barrel - related to war fears and Venezuela's general strike - has caused a spike in home heating fuel during what's been a bitterly cold winter across most of Canada.

Natural gas prices are also on the rise.

Now skyrocketing transport costs are trickling into the prices consumers pay for products such as fruits and vegetables that get shipped into and across the country. And last year's drought has put upward pressure on grain prices.

That affects livestock feed costs and flour prices, which in turn boosts the cost of bread and meat.

Car-loving Canadians traditionally gripe about the cost of gasoline, but with pump prices edging ever closer to the dreaded $1-a-litre level, there's good reason.

For some, that means the car will have to be left in park.

"I'm on a very strict budget and, because of that, I can only spend $40 a month on gas," said Dave Steeves, who works at a communications company in Toronto.

Because of rising fuel prices - adding $10 to $15 to the cost of filling up his car, "now what's going to happen is I'm not going to use the car," he said.

Last month the car sat idle for the final two weeks of the month because it had guzzled up its budgeted quota, Steeves said. That will likely happen this month too, he added, which is a frustrating situation.

As a result, Steeves is walking to get groceries and to take his two children places. And he's relying on friends to help him get to work and his hockey games.

"If I vary from (my budget), then something else won't get paid," he said, adding that although the government could shift taxes away from gasoline, it would just show up somewhere else.

As for the cost of groceries, "what else can you do but suck it up and move on?" he commented.

So far, prices on fruits and vegetables haven't gone up much, but that's expected to change if gasoline prices stay at elevated levels.

Ralph Boyd of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association said prices of fresh fruit and vegetables from California, Florida and the southern states will rise most quickly and most steeply, "simply because transportation is a large part of the cost of those goods."

Boyd said there's a looming crisis in Atlantic Canada because few trains come to the region and air freight is uneconomical, so trucks account for about 95 per cent of consumable goods brought into the area.

Earlier this month, gasoline prices took a hike of 12 to 13 cents a litre across New Brunswick, the largest increase in the country. It's only a matter of time before those higher bills get passed down the line.

"We can't absorb those costs. We have no choice but to pass them on to the users of our service," Boyd said.

Although grocers try to keep those price spikes from hitting the shelves immediately, it's impossible to remain in business without charging more when costs escalate, said Mike Apostolou, the manager at Sun Valley Fine Foods in Toronto.

"The companies have to raise their prices sooner or later," he said. "Some try to hold off as much as possible but it comes to a point where they say, 'We're going to go belly-up if we don't raise it.' "

In recent months the cost of milk, cream, flour, cookies, bread and related products, has risen, Apostolou said.

"The consumer is going to be spending more money to buy staple items like milk, eggs, juice, bread."

Bread prices are up about a nickel or so per loaf, although that depends on the product, said Geoff Wilson, a spokesman for grocery giant Loblaw Co. and breadmaker Weston, an affiliate company. But producers have been trying to keep costs from hitting product prices, he said.

On Friday, Maple Leaf Foods reported lower fourth-quarter profits partly because of higher feed costs for its meat operations. Meanwhile, its Canada Bread bakery division - which makes the Dempster's, Olivieri and Tenderflake brands - passed on wheat price increases to its customers.

Pete Luckett, the Cockney grocer who transformed a small fruit and vegetable operation into a popular Atlantic Canada chain, said he's trying to hold off raising prices to deal with higher transport costs.

But "if it continues to go crazy, it has to happen sometime," he said.

Although customers say higher costs haven't shown up in a major way at the market, they expect the price shock to come soon. And when fruits and vegetables get too pricey, "I just won't buy them," said Halifax shopper Lynn Brooks,

A price crunch will force her and her neighbours to make tough choices in their shopping and eating patterns, she said, by using frozen vegetables or simply not buying items when the price skyrockets.

"When lettuce went up to over $2 a head last year, I didn't buy it unless it was a treat."

The rising food bill for others has meant cutting back on other areas.

Chris Lee, a construction worker in Vancouver, said he has to eat properly, so his social life suffers when food costs soar.

"More money on food means less cash on the weekends. I stay home more," he said. "I do drive to work and, yeah, after groceries and gas there's not much left for the weekend."

Facts about recent price increases:

Energy prices: Up 7.1 per cent in December 2002, compared with December 2001, according to Statistics Canada's consumer price index. In November, the increase was 14 per cent. In December, gasoline prices rose 20.8 per cent and fuel oil prices increased 17.2 per cent.

Gasoline prices: Canada's average regular gasoline price topped 82 cents a litre last week. In 2001, the low was 55.9 cents, the high 80.4 cents. In 2002, the Canadian average ranged from a low of 56.4 cents to a high of 75.5 cents, says research by MJ Ervin & Associates.

Food prices: In December, fresh vegetable prices soared five per cent, mainly due to a big jump in the cost of tomatoes and increased demand during the holidays.

Food prices rose on average 2.6 per cent in 2002 after a 4.5 per cent increase in 2001. The increases in 2002 were due to higher costs for fresh vegetables, especially potatoes, milk products, bakery products, beef and fresh fruit, says Statistics Canada.

Grain prices: Have been rising since the middle of last year after the drought in Canada, the United States and Australia caused grain stocks to drop substantially. In 2002, wheat prices rose by 12 per cent. When prices peaked in September 2002, they were up 49 per cent year-over-year, says Kenrick Jordan, a senior economist with BMO Financial Group, who tracks agriculture product prices.

BMO forecasts that these prices will continue to rise, up about 15 per cent this year.

Dairy prices: Higher feed and fuel prices have led to an increase in the price of dairy products. The Canadian Dairy Commission increased its support prices for milk producers, a price used to determine the price of fluid milk, so their return is expected to rise by 3.9 per cent to deal with higher costs. In 2001, the support price increased and was expected to increase the dairy farmers' return by 1.7 per cent.

Here are some comments from consumers about how higher gas, heating, and food prices are affecting them:

"I don't buy many packaged foods any more, like pre-made salad or fancy biscuits. It would be nice to, but on a fixed income you have to be very careful. And I live on my own, so everything is so expensive. It's a worry, so you just buy basics, milk and bread." - Beth Doe, a widow living on a pension in the west end of Vancouver.

"Well living downtown, rent is so much higher, so I do have to cut back on my groceries quite a bit. I share costs with my roommates, but it still seems horrendous. If I didn't work in a restaurant on the weekends how would I be able to afford this bag of groceries . . . this bag cost over $30. Yikes. How did it get to be that high? One bag?" - Lisa McIntyre, a student in Vancouver.

"Heating costs, I've noticed, especially with this winter. It's been brutal. But you just have to bite the bullet and hope it ends soon." - Sonia Haynes, an account manager with an insurance firm in Toronto, who says gas prices are "ghastly" but she's fortunate that most of those costs are covered by her company as part of her job.