www.vheadline.com Posted: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 By: Oscar Heck

VHeadline.com commentarist Oscar Heck writes: Over the last 15 months or so ... more particularly in the last 4 months ... Venezuela has received a very negative press. Much of the negative press was propagated by the four privately-owned Venezuelan television stations (clearly anti-Chavez and pro-opposition) and by many newspapers, including several USA-based newspapers ... much in the form of editorials and commentaries, making it easier and more “acceptable” to propagate lies and manipulate news events.

I spent 3 months in Venezuela between mid-December 2002 and mid-March 2003, traveling throughout approximately half the country. The reason: I had been following the news about Venezuela from outside Venezuela, and realized that there was something odd with the way the news reports seemed to be more and more biased (anti-Chavez) from the time that the reformatory-type laws were being "approved" at the end of 2001. (I put “approved” in quotations because I have been getting very conflicting information as to how these laws ­ Ley Habilitante ­ came into existence).

The point I would like to make in this article is that Venezuela is as beautiful as ever, and as safe as it has always been. Venezuelans are who they have always been; a joyful, proud, hard-working and honorable people.

I traveled the country through what the opposition falsely labeled as a “national strike.” No problems ... only one bus delay from Caracas to Puerto La Cruz, because the bus could not leave during the time that opposition supporters blocked the highways. (For people who took taxis, many taxis doubled their fares during the time that there were fuel shortages).

No matter where I was, I found beer (although at up to triple the regular price) and cigarettes ... food was plentiful, although there were shortages of certain products for a while.

I met travelers from the Czech Republic, Zimbabwe, Canada, USA, Japan, England, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Holland. What people outside Venezuela were seeing and hearing about the situation in Venezuela was mostly focused around some of the major events happening in certain parts of Caracas (Prados Del Este, Chuao, Chacao, Altamira, etc.) and other major cities such as Maracaibo and Barquisimeto.

For the vast majority of Venezuelans, it was business as usual ... but with the inconveniences caused by pro-opposition people blocking of streets and highways, big marches on a weekly basis on weekdays, anti-Chavez alarmist propaganda on television instead of regular programming, scarcity of beer since the opposition shut down the beer manufacturers, scarcity at times of Harina PAN (the Venezuelan staple) for making bread. since the opposition also shut down the flour manufacturers, and of course, the gasoline lines … since the opposition also tried to shut down the petroleum industry.

Today, things are almost back to normal. Prices have also come back to near normal levels. (There had been a lot of hoarding going on during the stoppage.) There are almost no more gasoline queues.

The tourist industry was affected quite negatively … principally caused by the without-conscience spreading of lies from the opposition-backed media in Venezuela and abroad (See anti-Chavez Miami-based organizations) … scaring tourists away from Venezuela.

Damage has been done but it is not beyond repair. Venezuela still has:

• the highest waterfalls in the world, Angel Falls near Canaima

• the longest cable car in the world (about 11-12 km.), at Merida (The Andes)

• jungles, the Amazonas

• deserts, at Coro

• Caribbean island resorts, at Margarita, Los Roques and more

• astrological observatories that one can visit, near Merida

• Parque Del Este, in Caracas, where you can see 30ft. boas

• Los Llanos, (The Plains), where you can see boas and huge caimans and birds

You can easily travel throughout Venezuela ... the bus system is very good.

If you do not like to travel by bus, you can take a plane to almost any part of Venezuela and rates are affordable. The bus will cost you about US$20 for a 12-hour ride, and the plane about US$100 for the same trip ... about 1 hour.

Small hotels can be found in almost every town and village at very good rates, about $4-7 per night ... of course you can also rent at resorts for substantially more. You can eat a full meal for $2-4 in small local restaurants. Tours to the jungles, or to the central plains can cost you about $150-200 for a 4-day adventure from Merida depending on the number of people. A beer now costs about 32 cents, cigarettes about 90 cents a pack.

One needs not to worry about kidnappings. People who are kidnapped are generally well-known rich Venezuelans. About theft ... in the last three years I have been robbed only once … but I was where I shouldn’t have been ... on a deserted beach at least 2 kilometers away from the nearest village.

There are some precautions to take, as one would take traveling to any foreign country.

If you take taxis, take legitimate taxis (in Venezuela, white with yellow lines on side). Do not go out at night unless you are very familiar with the area, or are accompanied by people who are. Do not go to places where you will be isolated, unless you are in a large group. Make sure you always have about $30-40 equivalent in your pocket in the event that you do get robbed. Thieves, even armed ones, want money (cash) … so do not try to fight them.

Some hints: Once you arrive at a location, make friends with local people: taxi drivers, corner store owners, barbers, magazine stand owners, local “home” restaurant operators, etc. They're usually the ones that will advise you best on where to go and not to go ... what to do and what not to do. Treat them well and they'll treat you well.

There is so much to see and do in Venezuela.

It is my favorite country and hope that readers out there will consider visiting.

Enjoy!

Many will say that Venezuela is paradise on earth ... I believe it to be!

Viva Venezuela!

Oscar Heck oscarheck111@hotmail.com

www.vheadline.com Posted: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 By: Joop Kreislan

European media commentarist Joop Kreislan writes: Under the title of Security in Venezuela: A lack of Clarity on Terror, The Economist magazine could well be building a case against Venezuela. In nine main arguments, it leads the readers to deduce how ambivalent President Hugo Chavez Frias is in his attitude toward terrorism. Although it states that none of this amounts to credible evidence of Presidential complicity in terrorism, the nine arguments and conclusion clearly suggest that President Chavez Frias is ... if not an active supporter ... at least a passive accessory to terrorism.

According to the magazine, this passivity would have something to do with not doing enough to stop the fund-raising activities of terrorist groups in Isla de Margarita; not doing anything to help Colombia fight against the guerrilla; not doing anything to close the three Colombian guerilla camps in Venezuela; and with letting Venezuela be used as a transport corridor by the Colombian guerrilla.

As The Economist is a serious magazine, we have no doubt at all that it will soon publish the material evidence of its accusations. The article is not clear as to what President Chavez Frias might effectively be doing that might be called 'active terrorism.' His trip to Baghdad in 2000, his condemnation of the Afghan war, his letters to 'Carlos The Jackal' and the qualification of "terrorist" he gave to some of his opponents, seem to be his most violent and brutal terrorist sins ... because even the bombs against the Colombian and Spanish Embassies (sic) might be attributed to his radical supporters.

But, most interesting for Venezuelan historians, is the accusation that as a young army officer, he was close to Venezuelan guerrillas with links to Saddam Hussein and North Korea.

As (again) The Economist is a serious magazine, we have no doubt that it will soon give us the names of the Venezuelan guerrilla groups in activity in Venezuela 20-25 years ago, and describe the relations of those groups with Saddam Hussein ... and most important, with North Korea. I am not sure that The Economist is really objective when it says that the United States has "applauded" the military coup last April, because as we all know, the United States is "a promoter of democracy" and I cannot imagine that, as such, it can applaud a military coup against a democratically-elected President ruling the country according to its Constitution. And the very truth it that we have not seen any US official clearly clapping in his hands.

To some suspicious readers, the last sentence of the article might sound just like a veiled threat, mentioning that the United States would not tolerate any ambivalence of Mr. Chavez on the terrorist issue. But I know it is not the case, because The Economist ... a magazine which condemns terrorism ... would never try to create terror in a foreign population or in a democratically-elected administration, by threatening with military invasion or occupation.

And those who have listened to the clear condemnation of terrorism made by President Chavez Frias in different speeches, have no doubt at all that we are facing a constructed and artificial accusation with no basis for worry. If this article had been published in another period of history, it might have been very irrelevant because it is rich in rumors and poor on hard facts. But, published the week in which Mr. Bush ... notwithstanding the opposition of the international community and public opinion ... is almost starting a war against Iraq in order "to bring democracy to the region," this article needs to be taken seriously.

In order to maintain its worldwide credibility, The Economist should publish its material evidence, if any.

And if the Venezuelan government has no active or passive terrorist sin to confess, it must clearly communicate to international public opinion, community and the media, its clear condemnation of terrorism.

Joop Kreislan, European Media Commentarist based in Amsterdam (Netherlands). independent Researcher, Lecturer, Writer and Journalist. Soon to be published: "The dictatorhsip of the media: truth o lies? An investigation into European media"

www.vheadline.com Posted: Monday, March 17, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Veteran political analyst and historian, Domingo Alberto Rangel writes that despite mobilizing money, arms and troops on a level never seen before, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has little to show for his 7 months in power.

While Rangel accepts the argument that Uribe hasn’t had much time, he's careful to note that Uribe has failed to come up with anything tangible, and instead has reverted to looking for scapegoats in Venezuela and Brazil.

Uribe claims that Colombian guerrillas harassed by the Colombian army have sought refuge across the border. “It’s logical that a Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) or National Liberation Army of Colombia (ELN) combatants from Arauca should seek refuge in neighboring Apure State, or one in Vaupes would cross over into Brazil ... but what about the Choco guerrilla fighters on the border with Panama or Putumayo next to Ecuador? They aren’t going to walk across Colombia into Venezuela or Brazil.”

Rangel contends Colombian guerrillas have been in and out of Venezuela since the times of Perez Jimenez (1953-1958). The Venezuelan army is sedentary … "the military will only leave garrisons if it feels the whip or is struck a bolt of lightning … we have a sedentary army and a well-trained and implanted guerrilla force … it’s like trying to swat a fly with a knitting needle. “

The presence of guerrillas in Venezuela or in Brazil "for a couple of hours," Rangel contends, is not the problem ... “if Uribe was finishing off the guerrillas, as he claims, a few here or in Brazil would be of little consequence … guerrilla columns are important because they have not suffered any serious setback."

www.vheadline.com Posted: Sunday, March 16, 2003 By: Oscar Heck

VHeadline.com commentarist Oscar Heck writes: According to VHeadline (March 15, 2003), “Costa Rican Foreign Ministry concedes diplomatic asylum to rebel CTV leader Carlos Ortega” … CTV president Carlos Ortega has been afforded "diplomatic asylum" in the tiny central American state of Costa Rica.

In another article (March 16, 2003), “CTV’s Cova advised not to push Ortega’s case too far in Geneva”, CTV’s secretary general Manuel Cova is quoted as stating “Ortega’s decision is completely justified because of threats against his life from some sectors of the government and the closing dragnet of security forces … legal insecurity and the total bias of the public powers, combined with the action of paramilitary groups are sufficient reasons to prevent a crime being committed against our leader.”

• I also read the news about Ortega being granted “political” asylum by Costa Rica, here in Canada where I find myself at the moment.

Supposing that someone (a leader) from a well-known Mafia organization in Canada, goes on television to incite people to block streets, sabotage the oil industry and break the law and … publicly calls for the “death” of the Prime Minister of Canada.

Now, suppose that Canada’s police forces have warrants for his/her arrest … for obviously breaking the laws of the country … and this leader of the Mafia goes into hiding (at a foreign embassy within Canada) and asks for “political” asylum from that country. Would he/she be granted “political” asylum?

Probably not ... why would any country provide “political” asylum to a known criminal?

If Costa Rica offers Carlos Ortega asylum,  it should be called “criminal” asylum and not “political” asylum...

How will this reflect on Costa Rica?

Would the average Costa Rican approve of having a criminal such as Carlos Ortega in their own country?

What will Carlos Ortega be capable of doing in Costa Rica?

Now ... for those union leaders and activists out there ... I am in great agreement with union movements. However, in this case, Carlos Ortega and the CTV in Venezuela ... as far as I have been able to discover ... are not a true union. They are a corrupt Mafia! I have asked laborers in Venezuela “when is the last time that you voted?”  Only one person remembered ... and that was a vote about 15 years ago ... regarding a small issue that he does not even remember.

What kind of union leader would tell its membership to “not go to work until the President of the country resigns” when the minimum wage is about US$120 and the cost of living is (in my estimate) about 70% of what it is in the province of Quebec (Canada)?

Can you afford to “not go to work” for 2 months when your rent is US$80 monthly and you food bill is about US$120 monthly?

… but you only make US$120 monthly?

… meaning that you have to live several people per home

… and you will tell the others living with you, ”sorry, I'm not going to work until Chavez resigns” because the “union boss” says so?

Not only that!  The “Union Leadership” did absolutely nothing to make sure that you got paid while you were on the supposed “strike” that was called by the “union leadership” with no vote from the workers!

In addition, what has the CTV really done for the average working Venezuelan over the years?

In 3 months of recent travel throughout approximately half of Venezuela's territory, I have asked many Venezuelans “What have the unions done for you?”

Their answers were simple. Nothing!

(I do suspect that some labor unions are attempting to better the conditions for laborers in Venezuela and abroad, but I am convinced that a person such as Carlos Ortega does not care one little bit for the “laborer”)

Another example: Juan Fernandez, one of the PDVSA “union leaders” ... apparently makes the equivalent to about CAN$800,000 a year in salary.

Does anybody out there find that this “salary” is justified?

Especially for someone that has incited people to break the law?

Someone who is ... as Ortega ... in hiding from the Venezuelan law?

I hope that the Costa Rican people will consider what I am writing.

Does Costa Rica want to be known for harboring criminals such as Carlos Ortega?

Do the Costa Rican people really know who Carlos Ortega is ... how Carlos Ortega has damaged Venezuela … and this, intentionally?

Will they be willing to accept that the Costa Rican government accepts a true-to-life criminal to enter their territory?

Will they have a say in the decision?

I do not know anything about Costa Rica.

I knew nothing about another country that is “friends” with the “War effort against Iraq” ... in that country, in the early 90s, I personally met someone who has been considered either a ”terrorist” or “evil” or a “human rights criminal” ...“the cannibal.”

His name was Idi Amin.  I spoke with him ... a very tall (and big) man, and surprisingly young.  And this is a true story.

But who is Costa Rica “friends” with? I do not know.

Does that mean that, if I commit crimes in Canada, I can also apply for "political" asylum in Costa Rica and be accepted?

Oscar Heck oscarheck111@hotmail.com

www.vheadline.com Posted: Tuesday, December 31, 1996 By: Suzanne Hart

Date: 30 Dec 1996 22:45:28 -0600 To: News.Desk@vheadline.com From: suzhart@dave-world.net (Suzanne Hart) Subject: An Open Letter to Venezuelan Physicians

Hippocrates Revisited: It is fair and just that the united doctors of Venezuela rebel against the Venezuelan government regarding financial incentives, proper economic remuneration and fair wages as should be assured under the law. There is no cause so just as this, and it is clear to any foreign observer that reform is not so much demanded as required for the continued commonwealth of both the physicians and the general populace of Venezuela. No government has the authority to require any segment of the population to perform specialized tasks of obvious skill and educational bias without due consideration of a fair and material nature.

However, it strikes the American heart as unconscionable to deliberately and premeditatedly ignore the suffering and potential morbidity of one's fellow citizens in any act of self-righteous protest. Hippocrates did not allow for financial considerations to qualify the value of life. And not one of your suffering brothers and sisters places a political agenda on his or her life. Thus, I beg of you, Doctors of Venezuela, do not forsake your oath, your belief in God's purpose for you, or your original call to your profession in an attempt to force your government to hear you. The people still need you, and they are your route to justice. Do not betray your brothers for the sake of your cause. Surely you can see that this will ultimately weaken your position and cause untold pain among your supporters.

Demand your rights, but do so with compassion and within the bounds of your Hippocratic oath. You will win by justice; not with the sacrifice of your fellow man. For that is the road to destruction, death and untold guilt.

Suzanne Hart American Watching suzhart@dave-world.net