<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Thursday, June 05, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Venezuelan Confederation of Trade Unions (CTV) general secretary, Manuel Cova denies that the opposition is holding back on appointing delegates to the liaison committee set up to follow through last week's negotiation agreement between government and opposition. 

"It's easier for the government side because it is President Chavez Frias who decides ... the opposition is slower as is customary in a democracy because we sit down and discuss things ... we consult before deciding."

Cova has confirmed that self-exile CTV president, Carlos Ortega will accompany him at the International Labor Organization (ILO) as Venezuelan representative, along with CTV legal adviser, Jesus Urbieta, currently president of the ILO Administration Council ... the three men have been accredited by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) ... only Cova is currently living in Venezuela.

The main topic the CTV will take to the ILO general assembly will be the fate of 20,000 Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) employees, who were dismissed for joining the national stoppage.

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Friday, May 09, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Rebel Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) executives & managers grouped in Unapetrol trade union association are currently on tour in Spain preparing to lobby the International Confederation of Free Unions (ICFTU)  due to convene at the end of May and the International Labor Organization (ILO) annual assembly scheduled for the beginning of June.

• Unapetrol president, Horacio Medina says the group has met Spanish trade union and business sectors and hopes to visit other countries to wipe up support. 

Calling the mass dismissals of PDVSA workers for adhering to the national stoppage that crippled Venezuela's prime industry "labor genocide," Medina condemns the government's "persecution of former workers."  

Unapetrol has launched a new accusation against the government, saying that it has banned former executives & managers from working with transnationals. Medina did not substantiate on the latest spin and where the money was coming from to support Unapetrol's world tour which has moved from the USA to Spain.

By: J. Daniel Cloud, <a href=www.zwire.com>The Daily Citizen May 05, 2003

Ivette Martinez-Moncus, a probation officer with Georgia Probation Services, became an American citizen on Aug. 29 after eight years of living here. Now she encourages others to do the same.

"I still speak with an accent, but I'm an American now," Moncus said. "I believe the only way you can be successful as an immigrant in this country is to make a difference, and being a citizen helps with that.

"When you speak with an accent people are going to question you. Now I have a guarantee that I have exactly the same rights as everyone else."

Moncus, who holds a law degree from Zulia University in Maracaibo, Venezuela, was working as an attorney in the banking industry "when about eight of the banks in Venezuela went out of business," prompting her to accept a friend's urging to move to the United States, she said.

In recent years a new Venezuelan constitution allowed citizens of that country to have dual citizenship there and in the United States, so Moncus didn't have to give up her position as a Venezuelan citizen to become an American.

This distinction is very important because she still has very strong ties to the nation of her birth.

"I have my parents there. My college was there. My classmates are there," Moncus said.

One of the biggest influences in her life - her 6-year-old son, Jerry Joseph "J.J." Moncus - is here, and he keeps her busy in her non-working hours.

"J.J. Moncus is my life," she said. "He's a great son. He's a red belt in Tae Kwon Do. He's in the kindergarten at Brookwood School. He plays the piano. I love bragging about him."

Her work, her son and other connections to Dalton are very important to Moncus.

"This is my place now. This is my home. But I can't stop thinking about that place, about Venezuela."

Two things she misses about life in Maracaibo, aside from her family, are the food and the social connections she had made at school and in business.

"Maracaibo is a big city, about three million people. It's not like Dalton, and that has been hard to get used to," Moncus said. The differences aside, Moncus prefers being in Dalton to Venezuela, and she's not planning to go back for anything more than a short visit.

If for no other reason, the current political situation under President Hugo Chavez is so restrictive - and it's getting more so - that going back isn't an attractive option.

"I won't go back until he is not in power," Moncus said. The rear window of Moncus's SUV has the slogan "Freedom for Venezuela" painted on it, reflecting her beliefs.

Chavez was deposed for a few days last year by the Venezuelan military, but he quickly resumed his position.

"He's a Communist," Moncus said. "He's a good friend of Fidel Castro and he visited Saddam Hussein in 2000."

When people ask what she thinks of Chavez, she usually says she is "praying for someone to kill him, or for him to get out somehow." Because of the trouble there, some of Moncus' family is considering moving to the United States. Her parents were here in Dalton this month and returned to Maracaibo, which was "very disappointing" for her.

When Moncus came to the United States to work, she moved initially to Fort Oglethorpe, then worked in the legal system for several years in Whitfield County before moving to Georgia Probation Services two and a half years ago.

"I enjoy my job because I can help people at the same time I supervise them," she said. Probation "is usually viewed as a very tough job, and it is tough. But I can make a difference by helping people be better citizens.

"Of course you're going to have people who are in the system over and over again, but I do my best. The only way you can get your goals is to be challenged and keep working."

"Doing her best" also includes volunteering with the First Steps program of the Family Support Council, which "helps new moms learn to deal with depression" and other stresses that face them, she said.

Moncus has won state and national awards for her work in the prevention of child abuse with First Steps. Through her job and her volunteering, Moncus said, she continues to "encourage people, especially women," to finish school and go on to college.

This is especially needed for immigrants to this country, and it's a continuation of her encouragement that they pursue citizenship here, she said, noting that "the idea of coming to the United States is to get a better life, and the education provides that forever."

Moncus would like to go back to law school here, to get a license to practice law. In the meantime, she enjoys working in the legal field even though she can't actually practice.

"I keep saying I want to get my law degree here, but the years keep going by and I haven't done it. But I don't have to pay taxes on my dreams."

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Sunday, April 20, 2003 By: Enzo Labartino

Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2003 02:54:12 -0500 From: Enzo Labartino elabartino@hotmail.com To: Editor@VHeadline.com Subject: Chavez The Film (it's pathetic)

Dear Editor: As a Venezuelan I feel disappointed by this "documentary" sent by your news network.  I feel that you are providing an objective point of view for the totalitarian regime of Chavez. Let's remember that during his fleeing or imprisonment as you call it, military weapons were found in several ministries such as the Ministry of the Environment.

Several of his people fled and hid from government officials such as the vice-president Diosdado Cabello.

Let me tell you that I wasn't there during the "coup d'etat" however I've read, heard and saw images on TV regarding the incidents of April 11. I also had two family members on the protest for the opposition that swallowed and breathed tear gas from the Guardia Nacional.

Also you may recall Mohammed Mehri whose son was shot in this protest, marching of course for the opposition, Mr. Mehri was also attacked violently for protesting in front of Tribunal Supremo de Justicia by government supporters.

I think you forgot about the people that suffered through this terrible incident in the history of Venezuela.

Yes it is true that it was the fault of past governments that led to the rise of a figure such as Chavez. However, Chavez condemns coup d'etats, yet he attempted twice in the same year against a democratic government. However Chavez claims it was the beginning of a revolution and it was just cause. So this means according to him and what you show in your "documentary" that only revolutionary coup d'etats a legitimate. Chavez also celebrates his coup d'etat yearly.

I also believe you have forgotten that there were more than a million people heading to Miraflores on April 11 to demand the resignation of the President. You also seem to patronize his cabinet, please do some research in regards to this, or just clear the dust of the files containing the information of these people.

I joined this news media believing that it would show the truth, however you have just showed the opposite. In a country that is divided it can be hard to be objective, however if that is the case then either choose a side (publicly) or just shut-up.

It seems you enjoy so much President Chavez as if he is promising something in return. If you enjoy so much, Cuba is happy to accept media that sides with the government maybe more since you use the internet as a source to distribute your ideas or ideals, maybe Hitler would have loved a media of information such as internet and you guys would be the SS.

I ask that this you sent to be taken off the internet and apologize for this type of lies and deceit. Let's remember nothing last for ever not even Chavez and when he leaves the guilty parties will pay for destroying the nation, MY NATION (MI PAIS).

If you wonder, yes, I do speak fluent Spanish and English, and I study abroad in Boston. Also most of my family lives in Venezuela and I can't wait to graduate and return and help my nation, my country rid of communist, totalitarian and anti-democratic ideals.

Thank You for time, Enzo J. Labartino elabartino@hotmail.com

P.S. I hope to receive word from you and also to other subscribers of this message with in the coming days.

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Wednesday, April 16, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Non Coordinadora Democratica (CD) opposition leaders have been holding a Miami summit to study the situation in Venezuela and work out plans for the future. 

Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) rebel leader and outsider presidential candidate, Juan Fernandez and Federation of Chambers of Industry & Commerce president, Carlos Fernandez (supposedly Stateside for attention to a critical medical condition) were among the most prominent names, along with several ousted Venezuelan Armed Force (FAN) officers. 

Opposition umbrella "Todos por Venezuela" group director, Manuel Corao  says the main topic on the agenda has been the recall referendum. "We will be informing international organizations about the referendum and actions we think Chavez Frias will employ to prevent it from taking place." 

• Corao says his group has the support of the majority of the 300,000 Venezuelan ex-pats living in Florida. 

It is not clear whether Juan Fernandez is currently residing in the USA, since most of his anti-government declarations during the last month have been issued from his USA base of operations.

Our editorial statement reads: VHeadline.com Venezuela is a wholly independent e-publication promoting democracy in its fullest expression and the inalienable  right of all Venezuelans to self-determination and the pursuit of sovereign independence without interference. We seek to shed light on nefarious practices and the corruption which for decades has strangled this South American nation's development and progress. Our declared editorial bias is pro-democracy and pro-Venezuela ... which some may wrongly interpret as anti-American. --  Roy S. Carson, Editor/Publisher  Editor@VHeadline.com