Statements Indicate Chávez May Indeed Be in Somebody's Crosshairs

[Say_What]

Statements Indicate Chávez May Indeed Be in Somebody's Crosshairs

<clips>

CARACAS, Mar 9 (IPS) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has repeatedly claimed that the U.S. government has plans to assassinate him and thus trigger chaos that would allow it to intervene militarily and take control of the South American country's huge oil reserves.

Now, recent statements by the top U.S. official in Venezuela appear to back up his fears of a plot against his life.

In an interview last weekend with the Peruvian newspaper El Comercio, Venezuelan Vice President José Vicente Rangel reported that former U.S. Ambassador Charles Shapiro had warned him of the possibility of an attempt on Chávez's life.

Shapiro, who served as ambassador to Venezuela from 2001 to 2004, ”did not go into details, but felt he was obliged to share this information with us, for legal reasons,” Rangel added.

In the mid-1970s, Washington officially prohibited the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from planning or participating in assassination attempts against foreign leaders.

http://www.ipsnews.net/africa/interna.asp?idnews=27799

[cliss]

1. Well, well....

The plot gets thicker. I think Chavez knew exactly what he was doing by 'crying wolf'. World attention is riveted on him, in particular with Chavez travelling around the world and signing new agreements.

I'm sure all of Washington is talking about this very thing, TONIGHT.

[Say_What]

2. I've been seeing this article around for a few days and didn't want

to post it till there was more details.

One wonders in what respect Shapiro told Chavez there was an assassination or coup plot--was it 'hey, look out Hugo', or perhaps 'hey Hugo, they're gonna kill you'. And what's that bullshit about they were bound by law to tell him?? Keeerist, do they think people don't know how many leaders they've taken out in US-backed coups? Something about this just has a very ugly tone to it, IMHO. Stay tuned...

I agree though that he's smart to keep it in the world spotlight.

His latest whirlwind of deals has to be giving the Bushistas ulcers bigtime. Intersting what the Venezuelan ambassador said today about their relationship with France.

<clips>

The Venezuelan ambassador to France, Roy Chaderton, framed Chávez 's visit to France in the context of a worldwide effort to recuperate a multilateral world in order that there is not only one power that exerts its influence or makes all the decisions. In a press conference, Chaderton emphasized the profound links that unite both nations.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1298578&mesg_id=1298578

[alfredo]

3. he best keep his name out there.

"His latest whirlwind of deals has to be giving the Bushistas ulcers bigtime. "

I don't think bush is worrying about those deals. He knows he can have Chavez killed and our media will do nothing. They'd just line up to suck bush's dick one more time.

[Say_What]

18. *our media* ain't the only game in town and there's a world of countries

aligning themselves to be another superpower. Who said Bush wasn't a Uniter?

You're probably right that they're not worried about the deals--they didn't get the name "the crazies" for nothing.


<clips>

After Iraq it is oil rich Venezuela led by Hugo Chavez that has become the center for confrontation between America and the Euro Zone. Chavez is dead against America and Euro Zone needs him to keep the oil balance - the power symbol in 2005. But this time the equation is a little different. A new regional and super power coalition of India, China, Russia and Brazil is making a huge difference. Russian President is in the zone to pull Brazil in the coalition and influence on Chavez for mutual support.

While the whole world is focused on America and the Euro zone for the super power challenges, both these powers are looking small when you combine the powers of the new coalition Putin is building with India, China, Russia and Brazil. Add to that Venezuelan oil that supplies America a substantial crude oil, and now you have the actual scenario of confrontation.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is leveraging his country's oil resources to build new geopolitical relationships with key regional powers like Russia, China, India and Brazil.

Northern Andean region is where the new super power coalition is planning to influence most. It is in the corridor of America and rich with many natural resources. This is the region that America takes it for granted. For Russian, Chinese and other non-US. oil companies, the Chavez government's oil-based foreign policy also will translate into profitable investment opportunities in Venezuela in coming years.

http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/11-27b-04.asp

[alfredo]

19. Bush has really brought this country down

It is so sad.

[Sandpiper]

4. Chavez is smart to be talking about this

Because the more he calls attention to it, if an attempt on his life is made, all eyes will be on Bush.

[Judi Lynn]

5. Most people don't know about this info. on a previous assassination plan

because US media can't be bothered to discuss it. This open letter was signed in 2003. When you think it over, you realize that _Bush has been threatening Chavez from the beginning. What an utter @$$####.

Letter condemning the US actions that prevented Venezuelan President Chavez from going to the US to speak at the UN
Wednesday, Oct 01, 2003
By: Coalition to Welcome President Hugo Chavez

The Coalition to Welcome President Hugo Chavez

We, the undersigned, condemn the US actions that prevented Venezuelan President Chavez from coming to the US to speak at the United Nations

While heads of states and the people of the world have been able to hear President Bush address at the United Nations, they will not hear from the democratically elected Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. His trip has been cancelled due to ‘security concerns’. Not only is the US not offering protection, but has organized violence against him and the Venezuelan people. It is totally unacceptable that a head of state would have to risk his life to meet with other heads of state at the UN in New York.

Background: Venezuela is the world’s 5th largest oil supplier, yet 80% of its population lives in poverty. President Chavez was elected in a landslide in 1998, initiating a "peaceful and democratic process" aimed at making fundamental change, such as using the country’s oil revenue to end poverty & corruption, and tackling racism, sexism, & other forms of discrimination. In April 2002 the US backed a coup which kidnapped Pres. Chavez and overthrew the new democratically constructed constitution. But within three days, millions of people from the poorest areas took to the streets and, with the help of loyal soldiers, won both back. The wealthy white racist coup leaders now reside in Florida, Colombia, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic.

Days before President Chavez was forced to cancel his trip to New York, the US government sent a message when it refused to sign a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli threats to remove Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat by deportation or assassination: it wants us to accept its right to remove any head of state, democratically-elected or not, whom it does not want. The US administration together with the President of Colombia have decided to give amnesty to paramilitary death squad leaders, as a condition for receiving aid. Venezuelan airspace has been violated by 15 Black Hawk helicopters flying over the border from Colombia in a clear act of aggression.

These events, along with the US invasion and occupation of Iraq, another large oil-producing nation, and the violent overthrow of Chilean President Allende (that commemorated its 30th anniversary on Sept 11), are ever-present specters. Now Venezuelan intelligence reports that the CIA was plotting to bring down Pres Chavez’s airplane. No one who knows the CIA’s history will reject that possibility.
(snip/...)

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/docs.php?dno=1005

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Venezeula Has "Overwhelming Evidence" That The Cia Is Attempting To Assasinate Hugo Chavez
author: PDX Dragon
Just days before he was to give a speech at the U.N. President Chavez abruptly cancelled his trip to the U.S. Venezuelan Military Intelligence says it has "overwhelming evidence" of a CIA backed plan to bring down the Chavez airplane enroute.
(snip/...)

http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2003/09/272294.shtml

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday, 20 October, 2002, 22:23 GMT 23:23 UK
Chavez 'foils assassination plot'

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said he escaped an assassination attempt against him this weekend as he was returning from a trip to Europe.
Security forces foiled a plot to shoot down his plane, the leftist leader said in his weekly broadcast to the nation.
Opposition groups have called a 12-hour general strike on Monday to demand either the resignation of Mr Chavez or early elections.

The presidential plane was diverted from Maiquetia airport outside Caracas to a military air base to the west of the capital, the president said, after a tip-off from the interior minister.

"The boys told me that Diosdado was calling me and recommended that I not land but at Liberator air base," Mr Chavez said.

According to the president, security agents intercepted a group of armed men near Maiquetia on Friday night and a gunfight ensued. The plotters escaped, he said, but left a Swedish-made AT4 bazooka - a weapon used by Venezuela's army - and a map showing the flight path of the presidential plane. A diary and a mobile phone containing the numbers and names of "civilian and military coup-plotters" were also recovered, but Mr Chavez gave no details saying an investigation was under way.

"They were hunting us, waiting for us," he said.
(snip/...)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/2344973.stm

[NJCher]

6. thanks for those links, JudiLyn

I'm spreading them far and wide.


Cher

[Judi Lynn]

7. Welcome. The more people who know about this, the better.

I don't think a word was mentioned in any of our media about any part of these ugly events. Figures, doesn't it?

You can't keep them quiet, however, when _Bush has a new round of outlandish charges, accusations, and insults to throw at Hugo Chavez's administration. They get reported as if they are the living word of GAWD.

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[The Zanti Regent]

8. but Jesus says Venezuela's oil belongs to us!

Wonder what the TV Preachers would do if CITGO pulls out of TEX ASS?

[Stunster]

17. Jesus says no such thing

Stop blaming Jesus, and stop giving the radically false impression that the TV preachers and Jesus are of like mind!

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Stunster]

23. Just because they don't know it

doesn't mean it's not true.

[depakid]

9. I wouldn't underwrite his life insurance policy

The Bush administration has already tried a coup- if they can't discredit him politically enough to attempt another- or corrupt him- then there's no question in my mind that they'll try to find someone to take him out. With the corporate media running cover for him- they wouldn't even need much if anything in the way of plausible deniablity.

Not that Americans would even care-

[anarchy1999]

10. I'd write one for him in a NY minute! If Chavez is assasinated there

will be a world outcry. He is doing the right thing now in forewarning us all.

IMHO, he is doing an amazing job of "Flumoxing' the "Bush" regime.

It almost is enough to make us decide to move there, just to be a part of a real social democracy in action.

[Puglover]

11. I don't mean to be cynical but

I'd be willing to bet if I asked the folks I work with who Hugo Chavez is 90 percent would not have a clue. <sigh> If BushCO were to do something there would be few people who would take notice. I don't like this one bit but sadly I think that is the state of things.

[depakid]

12. Not only that but

Bush and the Republicans have proven time and again that they don't have even the slightest concern about what other nations in the world think.

I mean, John Bolton as UN Ambassador? Talk about a slap in the face....

[Say_What]

15. While it may be true that the crazies in DC don't give a rat's ass

about anybody or anything, we're now watching countries aligning economically and my guess is that we will soon have another superpower to challenge the crazies in Washington.

<clips>

...While the whole world is focused on America and the Euro zone for the super power challenges, both these powers are looking small when you combine the powers of the new coalition Putin is building with India, China, Russia and Brazil. Add to that Venezuelan oil that supplies America a substantial crude oil, and now you have the actual scenario of confrontation.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is leveraging his country's oil resources to build new geopolitical relationships with key regional powers like Russia, China, India and Brazil.

Northern Andean region is where the new super power coalition is planning to influence most. It is in the corridor of America and rich with many natural resources. This is the region that America takes it for granted.

For Russian, Chinese and other non-US. oil companies, the Chavez government's oil-based foreign policy also will translate into profitable investment opportunities in Venezuela in coming years.

http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/11-27b-04.asp

[anarchy1999]

13. Be as cynical as you would like. "The people you work with" constitute

a very small part of the worldview. The US is #1 no longer, get over it.

And Bolton along with Negroponte will come back to bite us all, along with all the rest of the IRAN-CONTRA CRIMINALS within this administration. If we the people of the US don't see to it, I have a feeling, just a small one, the rest of the world just might. Especially justice will come from South America, where they had so much fun the last time.

[Say_What]

14. MuriKa isn't the only place on the planet, and the rest of the world

knows about the dirty tricks performed by Uncle Sam around the globe. Hugo is keeping the spotlight on the would be coup and assassination plots and the US keeps crying *we wouldn't do that* when the entire planet knows that it's SOP for the USSA. It's only brainwashed and well indoctrinated muriKans who suffer from America's Amnesia.

[Say_What]

16. BROWNFIELD Background: John Negroponte, William Brownfield and Death S

Brownfield, US ambassador to Venezuela: "people who hate the United States must be controlled, arrested or eliminated."

<clips>

John Negroponte, William Brownfield and Death Squads Inc.

...In El Salvador, one player stands out from the rest, the current ambassador to Venezuela, William Brownfield. He played a decisive role along with John Negroponte as a political officer in the embassy cover-up of U.S. involvement in the assassination Archbishop Oscar Romero. He also worked to cover up the murder of the four American Maryknoll nuns and other nuns escaping the violence there. Brownfield also played a key role in directing the death squads and El Salvadorean military, who butchered tens of thousands of trade unionists and members of the FMLN. The death squads did not just kill these people, but in a lot of cases they dismembered them and placed their heads on poles as a warning to the rest of the population.

In Venezuela, ambassador Brownfield has been brought in as a relief pitcher to former ambassador Robert Shapiro, himself no stranger to coups. Shapiro helped in the staging of the April 2002 coup against President Chavez and the destabilization programs that followed. He was also involved in the CIA-backed murderous overthrow of Chilean President Salvador Allende in September of 1973, and death of thousands of people under a military dictatorship that lasted a decade.

In fact, William Brownfield, as ambassador to Chile on the anniversary of the overthrow of that government in 2003, stated publicly in a memorial service that "people who hate the United States must be controlled, arrested or eliminated."

Brownfield's game plan for Venezuela is to unite the opposition, the 400 U.S. corporations, and the fifth-columnists and create an atmosphere for the overthrow of the Bolivarian Revolution. He along with Negroponte will be at the forefront in trying to stop the flowering of the Latin American and World revolutions that we find ourselves in this epoch.

http://www.handsoffvenezuela.org/john_negroponte_william_brownfield_and_death_squads_inc.htm

[Judi Lynn]

29. Didn't get to read this Brownfield background 'til Friday morning.

It's a load of info. a guy who has hidden in the background as another one of the hidden agenda against Latin America all these years.

Glad to get to DU today, and get a look at this. CANNOT believe any American President would make this specimen an ambassador.

[reprobate]

20. Chavez has enough support that you have to wonder if...

...he has set up a sleeper squad here, so that in case anything happens to him, the same will happen to bush.

Kind of an Assured Mutual Destruction pact.

[NIGHT TRIPPER]

25. insurance is the only way to protect oneself- nukes are good insurance

That's why every country should have nukes.
"If everyone's armed no one gets harmed."
(my own personal words of wisdom)--

but his own assasination squad would be a good second choice.

I'd laugh so hard if something like that actually happened!!
(not literally laugh)-but justice for the underdog is always sweet.

[Zerex71]

21. Executive Order 12333.

Reagan signed it to abolish political assassinations but you don't think a "quaint little thing" like that would stop us, do you? After all, lies about 20,000 tons of VX nerve gas never stopped us from killing almost 200,000 Iraqis, just like the Geneva Convention hasn't stopped us from illegally torturing people.

[Say_What]

26. Doesn't mean squat in *wartime* (or any other time for that matter)

.....According to an October 21, 2001, Washington Post article, President Bush in September of last year signed an intelligence "finding" instructing the CIA to engage in "lethal covert operations" to destroy Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda organization.

White House and CIA lawyers believe that the intelligence "finding" is constitutional because the ban on political assassination does not apply to wartime. They also contend that the prohibition does not preclude the United States taking action against terrorists.


http://archives.cnn.com/2002/LAW/11/04/us.assassination.policy/

[Judi Lynn]

24. Kick.

[bywho4who]

27. This is why

They smoothed the BITCH in to the state dept.