Political notes Wednesday, March 19, 2003

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Frank criticizes Venezuelan government

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., released a letter from seven members of the U.S. House of Representatives to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez concerning recent events in Venezuela that seem to threaten the democratic rights of the president's opponents.

In their letter, the lawmakers told Chavez that, although they had written to President Bush last year objecting to the U.S. administration's reticence when the democratically-elected government of Venezuela was threatened by a coup, they are now concerned over undemocratic actions by the Chavez government.

The letter states, in part, "Our objection to any American action that would ignore the results of the last Venezuelan election should not be construed in any way as indifference to the importance in a democracy of respect for the untrammeled rights of a vigorous opposition, and we must tell you that we are concerned that recent events in Venezuela call into question that respect."........................

www.belleville.com Posted on Wed, Mar. 19, 2003
CHRISTOPHER TOOTHAKER Associated Press

CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez is using currency controls to limit press freedom by denying Venezuelan newspapers the dollars needed to import newsprint, a newspaper director said Wednesday.

Nationwide newsprint stocks are down to one month's supply, said Miguel Otero, director of Caracas' El Nacional.

"Nobody knows how the newspapers are going to operate after April," Otero said. "The government wants to silence us."

Chavez accuses Venezuela's news media of conspiring to overthrow his leftist government. Many newspapers endorsed a recent, failed two-month general strike to demand early presidential elections. Chavez's term ends in 2007.

Chavez suspended dollar sales to businesses and citizens Jan. 22 to stem a rapid devaluation of the bolivar currency and capital flight.

The government published a list this week of 6,000 imported items, such as medicine and food, that will be eligible for private dollar purchases at a date to be announced. Newsprint is not on the list, although the government says it may be in the future.

"This is undoubtedly an attempt against freedom of expression. It's becoming a government policy," Otero said.

The bolivar lost a quarter of its value against the dollar this year before currency sales were halted.

ON THE NET Venezuelan Currency Administration Committee: www.cadivi.gov.ve