www.vheadline.com Posted: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

In the run up to February 27, 1989 “Caracazo” anniversary, Cofavic human rights group, which was created out of the event, has once again slammed the government for failing to act on an Inter American Human Rights Court (IAHRC) ruling issued on August 29, 2002, to compensate families of victims killed by the security forces.

Executive director, Liliana Ortega says it’s a shame that Venezuela has not complied with international norms and that people buried in a common grave have not yet been identified after 14 years.

Ortega also calls on the Attorney General’s Office to leave aside political interests and investigate the murders of three soldiers connected to Plaza Francia (Altamira), the violent incident between Metropolitan Police (PM) and government supporters stationed in La Campina and the death of 2 government supporters in Los Proceres on January 3.

Ortega will visit the Inter American Human Rights Commission in Costa Rica this week to follow up the group’s complaint against the mushrooming of police murder squads throughout Venezuela, which the government has not acted upon, as well as the case of 60 prisoners murdered at the infamous Catia prison in 1992.

Among other abuses, Cofavic will highlight in its report are: generalized impunity, the security “Plan Avila” implemented in April 2002, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice’s (TSJ) ruling allowing the use of soldiers to maintain public order, the government’s decree creating security zones in Caracas, raids on industrial plants (Valencia) and excessive use of force to repress public manifestations.

Even though the government has until August 2003 to comply with IAHR Court rulings, President Chavez Frias could encounter problems regarding his HR record … he can still be accused of failing to fulfill his electoral promise to make HR an integral part of his presidency … the army, National Guard (GN) and Metropolitan Police (PM) were responsible for blatant HR abuses during the Caracazo.

news.ft.com Lex News by email Published: Feb 25 2003 21:00 | Last Updated: Feb 25 2003 21:00

The Conference Board survey of consumer confidence was much worse than recent macroeconomic data, market movements and, indeed, the Michigan confidence survey would have suggested. The 15 per cent drop, to a level associated with past recessions, was truly awful. The prospect of war in Iraq, and terrorist threats at home, clearly have not helped the consumer mood. Yet if war was the only reason for declining confidence, this would presumably disproportionately affect the expectations component of the survey, when the current conditions index fell almost as much. Nor can the dismal assessment of labour market conditions sensibly be pinned on Saddam Hussein.

High energy costs sap consumer spending power, but the high oil price is the result of Venezuela's troubles as well as Iraq. A jobless recovery, high household debt, a forecast improvement in business spending that has not materialised, and even worse economic conditions outside the US all suggest caution. February's Conference Board reading might just be a blip. But if sustained, and reflected in the economic data, forecasts will have to be revisited and the Federal Reserve, which is hoping to wait and judge the underlying strength of the recovery once war risk recedes, will be forced to act. With bonds so expensive, stocks look a better bet. But the assumption that all will be well once the geopolitical picture clears remains a very dangerous one.

usinfo.state.gov 25 February 2003

Q: And next question, on Venezuela, President Chavez has criticized directly the United States government, Spain, Colombia and even the Secretary General of the OAS -- to mediate the Venezuelan crisis. What is the White House position on the criticism of Mr. Chavez?

MR. FLEISCHER: One of the key issues here in bringing a peaceful resolution to the situation in Venezuela is for the will of the international community to be listened and not be disregarded when the international community focuses on peaceful dialogue. So this is -- any such language from President Chavez, the confrontational rhetoric is unwarranted, is unnecessary and is not helpful. Inflammatory statements by President Chavez are not helpful in advancing the dialogue that is necessary to maintain peace in Venezuela.

www.theaustralian.news.com.au From correspondents in Washington February 26, 2003

THE US has condemned twin bomb blasts near the diplomatic missions of Colombia and Spain in the Venezuelan capital and chastised President Hugo Chavez over his sharp rhetoric. Washington stopped short of blaming Chavez directly for inciting the attacks in Caracas, after he had earlier attacked both nations and the United States for their stand on the Venezuelan political crisis.

But a senior US official said: "(Chavez) says these things and that is followed by this."

Authorities in Venezuela said three people were hurt at the Colombian consulate and one at the Spanish Embassy. The blasts also damaged buildings and cars nearby.

"We strongly condemn today's bombings and the use of any form of violence," said US State Department deputy spokesman Philip Reeker.

"We note that these bombings followed the sharp verbal attacks by President Chavez on the international community as well as Venezuelans."

He called on Venezuela to launch an expeditious and thorough probe into the violence and to punish those responsible.

Chavez spoke out against Spain and the United States after they criticised the arrest of business leader Carlos Fernandez who headed a 63-day anti-government strike.

He also slammed Colombia, reacting to a statement by Colombian Interior Minister Fernando Londono who criticised the Venezuelan leader's contacts with Colombian rebels.

Asked whether there was concern that US diplomatic missions in Caracas could be the next to be attacked, the senior US official said: "Certainly, we worry about security all the time at all of our posts, but the tone and the atmosphere have taken a turn for the worst in the last few days."

Washington called on Chavez to live up to the terms of a non-violence pledge reached by the government and the opposition last week, which included a provision emphasising the need to curb inflammatory statements.

www.vheadline.com Posted: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 By: Scott Joyce

Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 21:26:00 -0600 (CST) From: Scott Joyce scottrans242@yahoo.com.mx To: editor@vheadline.com Subject: Dear friend

Dear Editor: The entire world is appalled at the extremely undemocratic action of the political imprisonment of those who dare to speak up and organize against Chavez.

The world recognizes Hugo Chavez's excuses for this tyrannical act as a weak.

They do not veil his mentality as a new demagogue and arrogant man who thinks that he speaks and acts for Venezuela.

The millions in the street and the polls that show the vast majority against him do not deter him.

The fact that one is democratically elected does not endow them with the right to act undemocratically.

Chavez has given himself more power than any one man should have in any one nation.

The world and those who love liberty and freedom of expression have every right to speak out against this abusive and criminal imprisonment and witch hunt.

How can one defend someone's taking away another's freedom of speech?

Chavez should have compromised if he really wanted the strike to end sooner. It appears no that he just wanted self-justification to entrench himself more firmly in power.

Communism is a lie that keeps poor people and under power by using hate against the rich.

Hate is never from God.

From someone who loves Venezuela

Scott Joyce scottrans242@yahoo.com.mx