by Stephen Johnson WebMemo #243 March 28, 2003 |

While the Bush Administration is busy rounding up Republican Guards in the sands of Iraq, an axis of mischief is taking shape in America’s back yard. Cuba is jailing dissidents and oil-rich Venezuela is telling South American neighbors that they will be the next target of American aggression.   It’s part of an effort to use the United States as a foil to breathe new life into a moribund Latin American radical movement in the wake of failed revolutions in the 1980s.  Key to its success is a convergence of forces between Middle Eastern rogue states, Latin American radicals, and various terrorist groups such as Colombia’s rebels.   Both Cuban dictator Fidel Castro and Venezuela’s autocratic president Hugo Chávez stand in solidarity with each other, and have courted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, as well the leaders of other rogue states such as Libya, Iran, and North Korea.   Cuba has faithfully denounced U.S. and U.N. attempts to disarm Iraq and exchanged biotechnology with both Iranian and Iraqi governments. Alcibíades Hidalgo, a former Cuban vice minister of foreign relations, wrote in the Washington Post that Castro used the Soviet electronic eavesdropping base at Lourdes, Cuba to spy on U.S. command centers during the first Gulf War--passing intelligence directly on to Saddam. Most likely similar efforts are under way now.   Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez was the first democratically-elected leader to visit Saddam Hussein after the Gulf War. He also reportedly corresponded with Muammar Qaddafi about strengthening ties between Middle Eastern and Latin American radicals and using oil as an economic weapon. This January, his Education Ministry announced scholarships for Venezuelan youths to study at Saddam University.   Ironically, cash-strapped Cuba never turned its Middle Eastern connection into much of an advantage. But last week when the United States acted to disarm Iraq, Castro used the distraction of distant war to crackdown on an opposition movement that has been growing ever since May 2002 when dissident Oswaldo Payá and his Varela Project collected more than 11,000 signatures for a petition to hold a referendum on Cuba’s one-party rule. Beginning March 19, the Castro government arrested more than two dozen independent journalists and 50 dissidents.   Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Chávez has been building an international network to support his “Bolivarian” agenda of exporting populist, authoritarian government to neighboring countries and defeat what he calls “savage capitalism.” Supporters include Cuban agents who allegedly hold advisory positions in top Venezuelan intelligence and police agencies, and Colombian narcoguerrillas who reportedly trained rural paramilitaries known as Bolivarian Liberation Forces (FBL) to act as a shadow army for Chávez in the countryside.   From the Middle East, Iranian and Iraqi engineers flew in recently to help Chávez restore Venezuelan petroleum production following a two-month strike by oil workers. At the same time, Chávez named himself head of the National Oil Council, a body he created to ensure direct presidential control of the state oil company and its revenues.   Outside the country, Chávez supporters seek to create unrest. Speaking in Santiago, Chile on March 24, vice-president José Vicente Rangel warned that, “What [America] did to Iraq can happen to any other nation.” A month ago, Hasil Rahaham, a Venezuelan Muslim with suspected ties to al Qaeda, arrived from Caracas and was detained at London’s Gatwick airport after a grenade was discovered in his luggage.   Chávez loyalists are also forming foreign solidarity groups patterned after the president’s militant neighborhood political action organizations known as “Bolivarian Circles”—similar to Cuba’s Revolutionary Defense Committees. A web page hosted in Sweden, “Red de Solidaridad con la Revolución Bolivariana,” lists contacts in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, Spain, Uruguay, and even the United States.   While all this might seem like small potatoes compared to the challenge the United States now faces in the Middle East, such cancers have a way of metastasizing. Especially when polls suggest that Latin American publics distrust their own leaders to behave democratically and believe that Americans are uninterested in helping them solve their problems.   Siding with Saddam Hussein and other despots, Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez are shepherding forces to confront the United States in its own backyard. The Bush Administration and Congress should not take this lightly. At the very least, these men could inspire or assist reprisals against America for disarming a friend and fellow dictator. Beyond that, they will struggle to subvert U.S. allies in the region.   Despite heavy commitments elsewhere, Washington should not hesitate to increase intelligence collection (especially toward Cuba and Venezuela), step up public diplomacy in the region, and work harder to encourage friendly democrats and ongoing reforms to keep this situation from undermining the security of the United States and of neighboring democracies and free markets in the western hemisphere.   Stephen Johnson is Senior Policy Analyst for Latin America in the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies at The Heritage Foundation.

<a href=www.timesdaily.com>By TIM KORTE AP Sports Writer March 29. 2003 6:38PM

Venezuela's Luis Vera (8) kicks the ball away from DaMarcus Beasley of the U.S. team in the first half of a friendly match at Seahawks Stadium on Saturday, March 29, 2003, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jim Bryant)

Jovan Kirovski and Landon Donovan scored, and Kasey Keller delivered a shutout during a homecoming to Washington as the United States beat Venezuela 2-0 Saturday in an exhibition game. Keller, from nearby Olympia, made only two saves but didn't need to be spectacular as he improved to 14-0-4 in his last 18 home games for the national team. He was among six Americans seeing their first international action since the 1-0 quarterfinal loss to Germany at last year's World Cup. It was even an longer break for Kirovski, who hadn't played since a 4-2 loss at Germany last March. And the layoff showed during a listless first half for both sides, with many U.S. centering passes too high or off the mark. The United States (3-1 this year) went ahead in the 52nd minute when Kirovski knocked the ball into the left side of the goal after a flurry when the defense disappeared. Brian McBride sent a shot off a post and the rebound went to Carlos Bocanegra, whose shot went off the crossbar and went to Kirovski. It was the first goal against the improving Venezuelans in four games since a 2-0 loss to Morocco on March 3, 2002. Donovan, who replaced Kirovski in the 60th minute, put the Americans ahead 2-0 in the 76th minute with a spectacular goal. He took a pass from John O'Brien and sprinted up the left side, beating two defenders and drawing out goalkeeper Gilberto Angelucci. With McBride open in front of the net, Donovan slotted the ball with his right foot and it went in just inside the far post for his eighth goal in 33 international appearances. With European leagues off and Major League Soccer not starting until April 5, the U.S. team had many of its top players, fielding a lineup that Keller, McBride, O'Brien Frankie Hejduk, Eddie Pope and Earnie Stewart. The Venezuelan, who put up a strong defense throughout the first half, were a late replacement for Japan, which canceled their U.S. trip after the outbreak of war in Iraq. Notes:@ Keller, the backup to Brad Friedel at last year's World Cup, got his 29th shutout in 61 appearances, three shutouts short of Tony Meola's record. It was Keller's first game since last May 19, when he played the second half against the Netherlands in the last pre-World Cup exhibition game for the U.S. team. ... The Americans' next game is against Mexico on May 8 at Houston.

Read it March 29, 2003

SEATTLE -- Jovan Kirovski and Landon Donovan scored and Kasey Keller delivered a shutout during a homecoming to Washington as the United States beat Venezuela 2-0 on Saturday in an exhibition game.

Keller, from nearby Olympia, made only two saves but didn't need to be spectacular as he improved to 14-0-4 in his last 18 home games for the national team. He was among six Americans seeing their first international action since the 1-0 quarterfinal loss to Germany at last year's World Cup.

It was even an longer break for Kirovski, who hadn't played since a 4-2 loss at Germany last March. And the layoff showed during a listless first half for both sides, with many U.S. centering passes too high or off the mark.

The United States (3-1 this year) went ahead in the 52nd minute when Kirovski knocked the ball into the left side of the goal after a flurry when the defense disappeared.

Brian McBride sent a shot off a post and the rebound went to Carlos Bocanegra, whose shot went off the crossbar and went to Kirovski. It was the first goal against the improving Venezuelans in four games since a 2-0 loss to Morocco on March 3, 2002.

Donovan, who replaced Kirovski in the 60th minute, put the Americans ahead 2-0 in the 76th minute with a spectacular goal. He took a pass from John O'Brien and sprinted up the left side, beating two defenders and drawing out goalkeeper Gilberto Angelucci.

With McBride open in front of the net, Donovan slotted the ball with his right foot and it went in just inside the far post for his eighth goal in 33 international appearances.

With European leagues off and Major League Soccer not starting until April 5, the U.S. team had many of its top players, fielding a lineup that Keller, McBride, O'Brien Frankie Hejduk, Eddie Pope and Earnie Stewart.

The Venezuelan, who put up a strong defense throughout the first half, were a late replacement for Japan, which canceled their U.S. trip after the outbreak of war in Iraq.

Notes: Keller, the backup to Brad Friedel at last year's World Cup, got his 29th shutout in 61 appearances, three shutouts short of Tony Meola's record. It was Keller's first game since last May 19, when he played the second half against the Netherlands in the last pre-World Cup exhibition game for the U.S. team. ... The Americans' next game is against Mexico on May 8 at Houston.

Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

<a href=www.ctv.ca>Canadian Press

CALGARY — The United States slurps up more oil and natural gas from Canada than any other country on Earth.

And with war raging in the Middle East, civil uprisings in other oil-producing countries and a recent decision not to drill in a sensitive U.S. Arctic wildlife refuge in Alaska, even greater demand for Canadian energy is expected.

The daily flow of Canadian oil to the U.S. has increased dramatically in recent years to almost double the quantity a decade ago.

Canada is second only to Saudi Arabia as a source of imported oil in America, which in January bought 1.8 million barrels per day from the Saudis and 1.6 million barrels per day from Canada.

When imports of natural gas are included, the importance of Canada as an energy source for the United States becomes even greater. Canada supplied about 94 per cent of American gas imports last year.

Yet with all the volatility in global energy markets, talk of future U.S. energy supplies rarely focus on Canada.

"I don't think Canadian oil production comes first of mind to Americans when they think of where their gas, diesel and jet product comes from," said Rick George, president of oilsands giant Suncor Energy.

But recent U.S. media attention to the massive energy reserves in the northern Alberta oilsands -- and the synthetic crude created from its bitumen -- suggests awareness is quickly growing, he said.

"My belief is it will be positive," said George.

For the first time, a recent report by the Oil and Gas Journal on global oil reserves included 177 billion barrels of reserves from the oilsands -- a number that dwarfs estimated reserves of Canadian conventional oil.

Greg Stringham, a vice-president of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, says political stability is also a key ingredient for energy trade between the U.S. and Canada.

Despite a recent disagreement between the Bush administration and the Chretien government over the handling of the Iraqi crisis, the energy-trading business has been very open and free, Stringham said.

"They're a good market, we're a good supplier. (The United States) is close and it's connected by pipeline. So all of those things add to our attractiveness as a potential producer," Stringham said.

Meanwhile, recent political problems have made several of the world's other large energy producers less-than attractive as an energy source for the United States.

Vince Lauerman, a global energy strategist with the Canadian Energy Research Institute, says a "relatively long and brutal war" in Iraq would greatly enhance demand for Canadian energy.

"The worse the war goes, and the more the Middle East boils, the higher energy security becomes as an important issue to Washington," Lauerman said.

"And with that comes benefits to Canada."

But the Middle East is not the only trouble spot for global oil production.

About 40 per cent, or 800,000 barrels per day, of Nigeria's oil production was cut off this week as major energy companies evacuated staff amid tribal fighting that has killed at least 100 people in the African country in the past two weeks.

And Venezuela is still struggling to recover from a two-month strike that failed to oust President Hugo Chavez and paralysed the South American country's lifeblood oil industry, costing about $9 billion.

Venezuela is still only producing about two-thirds of its three million barrels per day total it had before the strike and the situation remains volatile as Chavez continues to seek revenge on strike leaders.

Still, geopolitical turmoil does not necessarily mean greater demand for Canadian oil, said one U.S. energy company spokesman who asked not to be identified "There's lots of sources out there and a well-developed oil infrastructure all over the world."

But a recent political decision in Washington -- overshadowed by Iraqi war coverage -- has the potential to increase U.S. demand for Canadian energy in future.

Last week, the U.S. Senate narrowly rejected a budget provision that would have allowed oil drilling in the 77,000-square kilometre Alaska National Wildlife Refuge.

Development of the refuge had been a key part of President George Bush's energy plan -- despite opposition from environmentalists who fear that drilling would jeopardize the delicate ecosystem and its wildlife.

Stringham said he doesn't believe attempts to drill in the wildlife refuge will go away. "The administration down there has been quite adamant in trying to put it forward and I'm not sure if they're ready to just drop it at this point in time."

Canada has long lobbied for a U.S. ban on drilling in the wildlife refuge and has taken a more prominent role recently in promoting Canadian energy to its larger neighbour to the south.

Some Canadian oil executives, however, say further lobbying efforts are not needed to increase U.S. demand for energy.

"I think what we've got to show is steady supply, good quality product and reliable outcomes," said Suncor's George. "And then the market will come."

By Associated Press, 3/29/2003 20:00

Demonstrations around the world Saturday related to the war in Iraq:

More than 100,000 people protested in cities across Germany, including 30,000 people who held hands in a 31-mile chain between two northwestern cities.

Hundreds of women covered in black robes protested in San'a, Yemen. Some carried placards declaring ''the United States and Britain are the axis of evil.''

In the United States, 8,000 to 12,000 war supporters gathered on the steps of the Pennsylvania Capitol. Thousands also marched to support the military in Miami and on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, and a few hundred people rallied for U.S. troops in San Francisco.

About 15,000 anti-war protesters lay down in Boston streets to protest the war. Hundreds also rallied in Los Angeles, New York City, Paterson, N.J., and Boulder, Colo.

About 3,000 protested in Santiago, Chile, and 100 demonstrated in Caracas, Venezuela. One Caracas protester said of the U.S.-led coalition: ''Those wretched gringos decided to leapfrog the U.N.'s authority.''

Marchers in Rome hung black mourning banners from the city's bridges. At Vicenza in northeastern Italy, demonstrators threw red paint and flares at the walls of a U.S. military base where hundreds of paratroopers now in northern Iraq had been based.

15,000 turned out in Athens, Greece. Some protesters spattered paint on the road outside the U.S. Embassy and on the windows of a McDonald's restaurant.

Protests in Paris attracted about 10,000 people but turned violent when 20 youths mobbed a couple angry with demonstrators who carried pictures of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. The two were bruised and treated at the scene.