www.heraldtribune.com By LIZ DOUP

Her name is Sarah. Sarah Mohammed. She's easy to identify at Boca Raton High because she dresses according to her Muslim faith. Her body is covered. Her head is covered. As President Bush talks to the country about war with Iraq, Sarah struggles through every day at school, looking different, feeling different. But she's found a bit of acceptance in the school's ROTC program, of all places. Not because of its connection with military training, but because of the commander, a man with brown skin and accented English, a man who knows what it's like to be an outsider, too. He's retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Edwin Morales - Chief Morales to the kids in the Navy Junior ROTC program he helps run. Inside the portable classroom, Sarah, 17, joins students from this country and around the globe - Haiti, Colombia, Russia, Venezuela, Brazil ... At the moment, two boys are being reprimanded for breaking a trophy. The talk centers on responsibility, honesty and respect for others. ROTC programs in high schools are about teaching values, not guns and bullets. "What we're trying to do here is build character," Chief Morales said. Before Morales took on this mini United Nations, before he spent 20 years in the Navy, he was a kid from Puerto Rico, growing up in the Bronx, tangling with bullies. "I do understand what Sarah, what a lot of these kids face," Morales said. "I've been there." Sarah, in three years on Florida soil, has heard enough fighting words. "But I don't want to fight," she said. "I want to teach." Understand she's a Muslim from Trinidad, not the Middle East. But ever since 19 terrorists on four planes changed history nearly 18 months ago, many Muslims have felt under attack. That includes Sarah, whose parents kept her home for two months after 9-11 because they feared for her safety. In the days and weeks that followed, she was spit on by a boy who passed her in the hall, had her hijab - her head covering - snatched off and was called a terrorist by other kids. Now, with the specter of terrorism and the prospect of war, she's bracing for more. Students in ROTC rally around her but can't be with her every minute. Just today, as she walked to class, a boy yelled at her, "Freak!" It's no wonder that Sarah was drawn to ROTC for its order and discipline. They do precision marching drills. They answer "Sir" and "Ma'am." Sarah sits ramrod straight in the classroom where other students are surprisingly quiet, too. It's current events time, when the kids talk about the newspaper's front page. It can get dicey at times, discussing global events with kids from all over the world. When Colombian drug wars make headlines, some kids want to label the Colombian students drug runners. When terrorism is the talk, Sarah can suffer. "Stereotypes are rampant," Morales said. "That's what these kids have to deal with." But Morales has a way of keeping hot topics neutral. Often, after a student's comment, he orders the class, military style, to "Give 'em some love." In unison, the class responds with a syncopated clap. Clap. Clap. Clap-clap-clap. Clap. Clap. Clap-clap-clap. It's a show of unity among the kids, even if they are oceans apart in beliefs. When it's Sarah's time to speak, her red-hot topic is the war between Palestinians and Israelis. In a soft voice, she talks of land disputes, broken promises and shattered dreams. A girl asks about suicide bombers. And a boy says, "If it's about religion, then nothing's going to change, right? You can't tell people what they should believe." Morales lets the kids talk and Sarah respond, before he gets to the most important point: "You don't have to agree with Miss Mohammed," he said. "But you need to respect her. If we all don't listen to each other, how are we to learn? How are we to understand?" Sarah sees herself as a teacher who can educate people about her faith. She answers all the questions people shoot at her, silly as some seem. "Why do you dress like that?" "My religion tells me to, and, also, modesty." "Why do Muslims kill people?" "My religion doesn't teach people to hurt people." "We can't see your hair, so I was wondering, is it black?" "Yes." Sarah longs for people to understand she's no different from other kids in so many ways. She lives with her parents - her father is a cabinetmaker - two sisters and a brother who moved here, like so many others, for a more stable life. In her short time here, she's grown fond of Ben Affleck; she listens to Power 96; and when she's out of her ROTC uniform, she wears jeans under her tunic, not a long skirt. She can do all that, you understand, and still be the girl in the hijab who faces Mecca to pray. And when she prays, she prays for peace. "She's a very courageous young woman," Morales said. "Not only does she come to school, she lets everyone know she's Muslim and proud of it." In the classroom, Sarah learns from others as others learn from her. It's a two-way street, with Sarah listening to others' point of view, too, Morales said. But last fall, the pressure of being different weighed too heavily. Sarah dropped out for three weeks until Morales coaxed her back. In the past few weeks, as the prospect of war dominated headlines, she started missing classes. So Morales took her aside again. The world is full of bullies, he told her. But you don't fight them with fists or by quitting. You fight them by being a good example. That means going to school. That means doing your work. You fight them with character. "As a Muslim, Sarah represents what so many people fear today because they don't know any better," he said. "I like to think these kids will grow up not being afraid and ignorant because they knew Sarah." And in the classroom, they're showing some love. Clap. Clap. Clap-Clap-Clap. Clap. Clap.

www.sfgate.com FABIOLA SANCHEZ, Associated Press Writer Saturday, March 8, 2003
(03-08) 05:07 PST CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) --

After four months of talks, negotiators said this week they have little to show for their efforts to end a bitter political stalemate between President Hugo Chavez and Venezuela's opposition.

The Organization of American States and other mediators have so far failed to get the two sides to agree on the new elections sought by the opposition or to convince the political rivals to curb their harsh rhetoric.

The slayings of three dissident military officers in mid-February, the Feb. 18 arrest of opposition leader Carlos Fernandez and bomb blasts outside Spanish and Colombian diplomatic missions last week have further complicated the impasse.

Each side blames the other for the incidents, which have raised tensions in the South American nation of 24 million, a major oil supplier to the United States.

OAS secretary general Cesar Gaviria has sought to prevent a full-fledged confrontation like the street violence that rocked Caracas in April.

Opposition leaders say Chavez's leftist rhetoric and authoritarian policies have weakened the country's institutions and scared away investors. They briefly ousted Chavez in a coup following the April violence, but loyalists returned him to power two days later.

Opponents tried again to topple him by organizing a two month general strike. That effort collapsed Feb. 4 with Chavez still in power. Since then, his government has arrested strike organizers.

Meanwhile, opponents have been locked in negotiations with the government, trying to get Chavez to call a new election.

Although the negotiations have lacked any substantial advancements, said Nicolas Maduro, one of six government representatives at the talks, they have served as a "containment mechanism "to regulate the Venezuelan political conflict."

Proposals to end the conflict by former President Jimmy Carter and the creation of the "Group of Friends," a forum of six nations backing negotiation efforts, failed to give impetus to the talks.

The talks have lacked "rapid advancement," acknowledged Maduro.

Government adversaries have put "obstacles" in the way of progress because they aren't "playing their cards in favor of a democratic ... pact," said Maduro.

The opposition continues insisting on ousting Chavez, who was elected in 1998 and re-elected in 2000 to a six-year term, as soon as possible, Maduro said.

Juan Rafalli, an opposition representative, blamed the lack of progress on the government, "which hasn't shown any type of political will" to agree on an electoral solution to the crisis.

Rafalli expressed optimism that Venezuela's wrenching economic downturn, coupled with the deepening political crisis, will force Chavez's government to negotiate an agreement soon.

Venezuela's economy shrank by nearly 9 percent in 2002 and analysts predict and even more abrupt contraction this year. According to official government statistics, unemployment stands at 17 percent.

Chavez, a former paratrooper, has balked at opposition demands for early elections. He insists that opponents must wait until August, when the constitution allows for a binding recall referendum on his rule.

During a recent speech, Chavez warned Gaviria, along with the governments of Spain and the United States, "not to meddle" in Venezuela's domestic affairs.

Maduro denied that Chavez's fiery rhetoric and warnings to foreign governments are aimed at dissolving the "Friends" initiative or pressuring Gaviria into abandoning his role as mediator of the talks.

The warnings were meant "to clarify our position," he said.

Delegates from the United States, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Brazil and Chile -- the nations making up the so-called "Group of Friends -- are slated to meet in Brasilia, Brazil on March 10 to discuss progress of the talks and escalating violence in Venezuela.

www.vheadline.com Posted: Friday, March 07, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Several of Venezuela’s leading eco-tourism ventures admit they have been hit hard by the December-January national stoppage but say they are ready to make a comeback in March once they have reassessed costs.

The Pinero Farm in South Cojedes usually gets plenty of ornithologists visiting between the months of December thru April to sight 1,310 species of birds in migration ... but this season several groups cancelled their visit citing "the political situation" in Caracas.

Even though there were no problems at the farm itself, tour companies complained that gasoline and food supplies were uncertain, meriting cancellation until the situation improves.

Orinoquia and Caura jungle camps in southeastern Venezuela have also been hit by the crisis. Embassy warnings to citizens not to visit Venezuela were heeded, according to Cacao Travel Group general manager Bernard Kroening, even though there were less problems obtaining gasoline in Ciudad Bolivar.

“If the situation continues as of present, we will be hard pressed … many camps have closed their doors.”

Kroening hopes things will pick up towards Easter and says the company will be concentrating on the domestic market.”

The latest offer is 200,000 bolivares ($125) for three nights lodging with full board, complete with a trip down the Orinoco River in the company of indigenous guides.

www.wilmingtonstar.com Last changed: March 08. 2003 8:21PM

An opposition member yells "Chavez out" during a rally at a highway in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, March 8, 2003. The protest was called to show support for opposition leaders who led a failed two-month strike against Chavez. One of the leaders is under house arrest and several others are on the run from authorities.

By STEPHEN IXER Associated Press Writer Secret police swooped in on an anti-government demonstration Saturday in a failed attempt to arrest a national strike leader who emerged from hiding to address the rally. The police fired shots into the air and launched tear gas canisters to disperse anti-government protesters, who smashed police vehicle windows with sticks and stones, the television station Globovision reported. There were no immediate reports of injuries or arrests. Police rushed to the rally trying to seize former oil executive Juan Fernandez, one of several leaders of a failed two-month general strike aiming to force President Hugo Chavez's resignation or early elections. The strike ended Feb. 4. Fernandez warned Chavez to "pack his bag because we are going to get rid of him" and then was whisked away by supporters as protesters applauded wildly. Thousands of protesters waving placards reading, "No to judicial terrorism!," blocked a Caracas highway to demand justice in Venezuela and show support for opposition leaders. One of the leaders, businessman Carlos Fernandez, is under house arrest and several others are in hiding. At an International Women's Day event Saturday, Chavez accused his foes of committing high-profile crimes - including last month's bombing of Colombian and Spanish diplomatic missions in Caracas - in an attempt to smear his government. No one has been arrested for the blasts. "By God and my mother, there will be justice!" Chavez roared. Chavez also praised this week's arrest of a man for the killings of three dissident soldiers and an anti-government activist whose bound, tortured bodies were found last month. Tayro Aristiguieta, who was arrested in a Caracas slum, confessed to the killings, Chavez said. Detectives said the killings were not politically motivated, although protesters said they believe the government was behind the slayings. Also Saturday, soldiers were sent into the streets to launch a new government food distribution program, selling discount staples at open air markets in poor neighborhoods nationwide. The initiative comes ahead of predicted food shortages, as opposition producers say they cannot continue operating under the government's new price controls. Fixed prices for basic goods like meat, rice and medicines were introduced as inflation - fueled by a rapidly devaluating bolivar currency - threatened to spiral out of control. Inflation reached 8.3 percent in January and February. The strike was strongest in the oil industry, the source of half of government revenues and 80 percent of export earnings. Venezuela was the world's fifth-largest oil exporter before the strike began Dec. 2, producing 3.2 million barrels a day. Chavez said this week production was up to 2.6 million barrels a day, while fired managers say daily output was at 1.9 million. The Organization of American States and other mediators have so far failed to advance peace talks. The opposition claims Chavez has undermined the country's democracy and hurt the economy. Chavez, who was first elected in 1998 and re-elected in 2000, says his foes want to replace him with the old status quo, when an elite minority held power for decades.

www.gmtoday.com March 8, 2003

MILWAUKEE - Saying this winter’s high energy costs have created a crisis for many Wisconsin families, Gov. Jim Doyle on Friday released $5.6 million in emergency energy assistance funding.

The extra money will help about 14,000 state residents pay their heating bills despite a spike in prices that has pushed the cost of natural gas 77 percent higher than last year, Doyle said.

‘‘We will not let anyone, particularly a senior citizen or a disabled person, make the awful and sometimes dangerous decision of not turning on the heat when it’s very, very cold outside,’’ Doyle said.

Doyle made the announcement, which includes $5.1 million in federal money, at the offices of the Social Development Commission, an agency that helps low-income Milwaukee County residents get assistance such as the heating help.

Deborah Blanks, the commission’s executive director, said the agency has already helped 24,000 low-income families through the end of January, a 4,000-family increase over the same time last year.

So far this winter, public funding has helped more than 100,000 state households, 12 percent more than last year, said Steve Tryon, director of the state’s Bureau of Energy Services.

The state Department of Administration said this week that natural gas prices are at their second highest level since the state began tracking the information.

Heating oil was $1.527 a gallon for the week of March 3, 55 percent higher than a year ago. LP gas was $1.465 a gallon, up 40.7 percent, the agency said.

Emma Mitchell, 68, went to the commission’s offices Friday to apply for help heating the Milwaukee home she owns.

‘‘It’s a struggle to pay the bills,’’ said Mitchell, who earns $8.50 an hour at her part-time job at an agency that provides care to seniors.

Her heating bills have been rising for the last few months - to $207 this month - and she’s finding it hard to meet her monthly $300 mortgage payment as well as clothe and feed her daughter and foster daughter, both 10.

‘‘They are lacking for some things I would love to have them have,’’ Mitchell said.

Intake worker Erica Coles said Mitchell would qualify for some type of monthly assistance.

The state had predicted heating costs would rise an average of 25 percent this winter because of expected colder weather. Costs have climbed higher than expected, partly because of a possible war in Iraq and an oil strike in Venezuela that has reduced crude oil suppliesin the United States.

About 66 percent of Wisconsin homes heat with natural gas, 11 percent with propane and 8 percent with heating oil.