US ambassador supports opposition, heightens US-Venezuela tensions: minist

[Judi Lynn]

US ambassador supports opposition, heightens US-Venezuela tensions: minister

www.chinaview.cn 2006-04-11 10:17:50

CARACAS, April 10 (Xinhua) -- United States ambassador William Brownfield has heightened tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela by attempting to support the country's opposition parties, Venezuela's communication minister said on Monday.

William Lara, said in a statement that Brownfield was a "hooligan" who was heightening tensions between the two countries by acting like "a neighborhood bully." Lara warned Brownfield to stop making statements that contained more "calumnies" than those of the country's opposition parties.

If Brownfield continued to go from provocation to provocation, said Lara, "he will have to answer to the Venezuelan people."

He added that the ambassador could continue to meet his Venezuelan allies, but he must also respect the South American country's laws.
(snip/...)

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-04/11/content_4409715.htm

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

U.S. Ambassador In Venezuela Faces Threat Of Expulsion Over Forays Into Chavez Territory

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) _ The Venezuelan government cited the U.S. ambassador's charity visits to poor neighborhoods as a sign that he is meddling in the country's internal affairs, and said Monday he could face expulsion for aligning himself with the opposition.
(snip)

President Hugo Chavez first threatened to kick out U.S. Ambassador William Brownfield on Sunday, accusing him of
Venezuelan Information Minister Willian Lara accused Brownfield of acting like a ``bully'' and trying to influence public opinion.

``William Brownfield is more active than any Venezuelan opposition leader,'' Lara said. ``You don't see the ambassadors of Norway, China, or any other country ... in an activity that has such a clear proselytizing nature.''
(snip)

U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Salome Hernandez said Brownfield's visits are part of his ``community outreach'' efforts and that he has no intention of scaling them back.
(snip/...)

http://www.kotv.com/main/home/storiesNL.asp?whichpage=2&id=102129

[cliss]

1. Unbelievable. What a hard-headed, sweaty creep.

I hope Hugo Chavez evicts Mr. Brownpile. He's obviously fomenting violence in Venezuela.

I have a good mind to write the State Department in Washington. In fact, I'm going to. I'm planning to travel down to Venezuela this year, for a trade show. I'm involved in exporting US products, and we're hoping to sell to Venezuela. Their economy is doing very well.

The way this idiot is acting, our name is going to get tarnished, again.

[ronnie624]

2. Gripping developments.

It will be very interesting to see how this turns out.

``Ladies and gentlemen, how can I get any sleep with so many conspiracies and plots?'' he quipped. (William Brownfield)

Such a dissembling smart-ass.

Allen Dulles, as Secretary of State for FDR, took a trip to Germany in the mid thirties. After meeting with top nazi officials he noted in his journal that he felt as though he had been suddenly dropped into a "lunatic asylum" because of their bizarre take on history and reality. I get that same "vibe" from the Bush Administration. They are truly dangerous and very much like nazis.

[Bacchus39]

3. what horror!! the next thing you know the US will start

giving subsidized "arepas" to poor people in Venezuela.

[HuffleClaw]

4. deliberate provocations designed to create a 'diplomatic crisis'

'community outreach' my foot.

[leftchick]

5. I wish they would kick him the hell out!

though Lou Dobbs and Kitty pligrim would love that. :eyes:

[Judi Lynn]

6. Incidents show that neocons everywhere are desperate

Incidents show that neocons everywhere are desperate
By Wayne Madsen
Online Journal Guest Writer

Apr 10, 2006, 01:48

Upcoming elections around the world are pinning neocons against the wall and are heralding a return to democratic socialism and progressive populism, much to the anger and angst of international bankers, militarists, and reactionary Abrahamic tradition religious sects and movements.

The election in Italy is a case in point. With neo-fascist Silvio Berlusconi trailing in the polls, he has resorted to accusing China's Mao of boiling babies to make fertilizer and called his Communist-Socialist opponents "coglioni," a vulgar term defined variably as prick, asshole, moron, and idiot.

U.S. ambassador to Venezuela William Brownfield is spinning a Venezuelan vegetable, egg, and fruit protest pelting of his motorcade as some sort of terrorist attack. The U.S. State Department complained to Venezuela's ambassador in Washington that Venezuela was in violation of the international treaty on the protection if diplomats.

Spinning an unfounded conspiracy theory (they are only conspiracy theories when the left-wing cites them), State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the incident in a poor Caracas neighborhood was condoned by the city's mayor, police, and local government. McCormack vowed that the United States will not be intimidated by such attacks of vegetables, fruit, and eggs on U.S. diplomatic vehicles.

U.S. embassy spokesman Brian Penn bemoaned, ''Our car is stained all over . . . the motorcyclists were throwing things at us for at least 10 minutes, and the police did nothing." Penn did not indicate whether there were any funds left in the embassy's CIA and Defense Intelligence Agency slush funds used to foment insurrections, secessionist movement, coups, street protests, and election chicanery to afford a car wash for the ambassador's car.
(snip/...)

http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_676.shtml

[ronnie624]

9. Thanks for the links.

As the populist wave sweeps through Mexico and Nicaragua, where prospects look increasingly progressive and socialist, the real "coglioni" -- the neocons, free traders and international bankers, elitists of both U.S. duopolistic political parties, and religious fanatics will ultimately get their just rewards.

I'm up for that.

:hi:

[Judi Lynn]

12. That makes two of us! The whole world is dying for a change!

We can't afford to pay much more to indulge their selfishness.

[endarkenment]

7. Would we put up with foreign embassies engaged in political activity?

Why are we such bloody hypocrits?

[Bacchus39]

8. yeah, the US would never allow foreign interests to make heating oil

deals with communities across the US. or allow foreign leaders to hold rallies in the US in places like the Bronx.

US embassies should refrain from conducting community outreach and goodwill efforts in poor areas of the world. you never know if a killer mango or papaya could cause an international incident.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Judi Lynn]

11. The Democratic Senators and Representatives in the American

states which contracted with Venezuela for discounted winter fuel contacted American oil companies FIRST, and were blown off BEFORE they ever contacted Venezuelan sources to discuss a lower price for their poor areas.

This was an AMERICAN IDEA, not pushed upon them by Venezuela. But you knew that already.

As indicated in a post earlier, Hugo Chavez was INVITED to speak when he attended another meeting in New York, at the U.N., as well. He was not trolling.

[Bacchus39]

13. so what? the US ambassador gets invited to speak too

that is what ambassadors do.

what is wrong with handing out baseball equipment to poor kids in Caracas' slums??

[Judi Lynn]

14. The people who were attending the game didn't want his ass there.

Or did you read the articles?

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

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

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

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

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

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

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

20. Oh, admit it already. You just hate freedom in general. n/t

[Judi Lynn]

23. It's for their own good! If they're free, they could get into trouble!

They might get drunk in the middle of the day or sumthin'. It's not that I hate freedom, it's more like I celebrate utter humiliation and groveling subservience! :woohoo:

[Name removed]

21. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Judi Lynn]

31. I'm waiting, still, for that proof I "dislike the USA so much."

It would be appropriate if you posted it, rather than flinging insults.

As I've been here a long time, you'll have a lot of links to choose from.

[ronnie624]

16. Your analogy is illogical.

...heating oil deals with communities across the US. or allow foreign leaders to hold rallies in the US are not quite the same as meeting with and supporting opposition groups who have probably been involved in illegal attempts to overthrow the current government of Venezuela.

[Bacchus39]

18. US ambassador's meeting with "opposition" groups

http://news.yahoo.com/photo/060410/481/ny19004101630&g=events/wl/030204venezuela;_ylt=AgbvDt8mZeeGYExMBeaeZjq9IxIF;_ylu=X3oDMTA3bGk2OHYzBHNlYwN0bXA-

look at how irate these youngsters are at the US ambassador's presence.

[ronnie624]

26. The article in the OP

stated specifically that ambassador Brownfield was meeting with those opposed to the Chavez government. You should have read the article. Now the link seems to no longer work.

The unfortunate ambassador is a symbol of U.S. dominance and imperialism over the people of Venezuela just as his pelting with fruits and vegetables is symbolic of their casting off of U.S. corporate influence in their political and economic affairs. Visiting a children's baseball team had nothing to do with the "attack" on the ambassador's car.

Your post is typical of your dissembling involvement in these discussions.

[Bacchus39]

27. the ambassador was not meeting with opposition groups

he was at a baseball field handing out uniforms and other equipment to poor kids.

are you suggesting that the US not have an ambassador in Venezuela? I mean the symbolism of having an ambassador in Venezuela seems to great a burden for them to carry according to you.

[ronnie624]

32. I say nothing of the sort.

I will offer however, that it would be an improvement if the U.S. embassy in Caracas was not a tentacle of the CIA whose sole purpose for existence right now is the destruction of the Chavez government as well as the populist movement in all of Latin America. But I try to look at the big picture instead of getting hung-up on unrelated minutia like PR stunts.

[Judi Lynn]

29. It's a slow-loading link at times, ronnie624. It should work now, if

you want to wait a while....

I read in one of the articles that at several of his last stops in the recent past, he appeared to be attracting a lot of negative attention, and that at this event, people started getting angry that he was there, and that he was asked to leave, eventually.

The total time spent trying to chase him away was approximate ten minutes. His next stop should have been a buzz through a car wash.

[ronnie624]

33. LOL.

His next stop should have been a buzz through a car wash

The totality of facts involving this incident is really quite slim but there is no doubt in my mind that there were ulterior motives to the ambassador's "charity". A Bush administration official giving to a baseball team because he has a genuine interest in the welfare of poor children in Venezuela? Spare me. The Bush administration would slaughter them all if they could get away with it and they thought it would advance their political agenda.

[Bacchus39]

22. provocative behavior

"Friday's incident occurred when Brownfield was at a stadium in Caracas to deliver baseball equipment to underprivileged youngsters.

On Sunday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez threatened to expel Brownfield, accusing him of repeatedly engaging in provocative behavior."



how disgusting!!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060410/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_venezuela_2;_ylt=AgcjtO31R_6TTWpfCROp.VS9IxIF;_ylu=X3oDMTA2ZGZwam4yBHNlYwNmYw--

[ronnie624]

28. From your link:

She said Venezuela is willing to provide protection for Brownfield but sometimes is unaware of his activities.

"What I cannot do is guess what Brownfield is doing," she said.

Hmm. I wonder what exactly he is doing on his little clandestine outings into the streets of Caracas. (other than transparent PR stunts that is)

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

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

[Judi Lynn]

24. Communication minister calls US envoy a troublemaker

(This is an "opposition" newspaper, in case there's a DU'er who hasn't read about these guys.)

Caracas, Monday April 10 , 2006

Communication minister calls US envoy a troublemaker

Communication and Information minister William Lara Monday called US ambassador "bad hat" and "troublemaker," in the aftermath of the situation the diplomat faced in Coche, southwest Caracas, last April 7th, when pro-government demonstrators insulted him and forced him to leave a school where he was making a donation of sports goods.

After Brownfield left the school, a number of people riding motorbikes chased his car and threw eggs and tomatoes at the vehicle.

"Mr. Brownfield wants to behave in Venezuela as a troublemaker, leaving aside the Vienna Convention that governs the performance of diplomats in the countries where they represent their governments," Lara claimed when visiting a picture exhibition commemorating the fourth anniversary of the events of April 11, 2002.
(snip)

"You may think, based on statements, that William Brownfield is more active than any opposition leader. He is devoted more media coverage than most opposition leaders in Venezuela. He has to understand that he is not the coordinator of the Venezuelan dissent, but the representative of a foreign government."
(snip/...)

http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/04/10/en_pol_art_10A692345.shtml

[Bacchus39]

25. Chavez doesn't like to share the spotlight I guess?

what do the state run newspapers from Cuba or China say?? or Venanalysis??Vheadline?

[arikara]

34. Brownfield is a thug

whose sole purpose down there is to cause trouble for the government.

And he's playing at giving poor kids baseball uniforms? Obviously the citizens recognized his game, hence the egging.

:rofl:

[Judi Lynn]

35. We all know how much concern Bush's regime has for the poor.

He has probably set a world record for the lowest level of respect and responsibility by a President for the helpless, the poor, elderly, and ill. The very idea of cutting services for the veterans returning from Iraq is astonishing.

Brownfield is his thuggish handmaiden.

[ronnie624]

37. After reflecting on my earlier posts

it became apparent to me that there was a lack of clarity in my meaning. I did not mean to imply that I believed Ambassador Brownfield was meeting with opposition leaders at the time of the attack with fruits and vegetables. I have read a half dozen or so articles in the past few days about this incident so I am well acquainted with the few facts that are available.

Bacchus39 was drawing parallels between Hugo Chavez's visit to the U.S. and the activities of the ambassador to Venezuela. I attempted (poorly) to point out that no such analogy existed because President Chavez has never met with or supported people who are dedicated to the violent overthrow of the Bush regime. I am certain it has been reported quite recently that Brownfield had met with opposition leaders. He most certainly has a long history of brutal criminal involvement in the affairs of more than one Latin American country and there can be no doubt to an informed individual that he most certainly supports those who would love to see the Bolivarian revolution crushed and the state apparati once again placed under the control of the oligarchs.

I reject out of hand any pretense at charity by Ambassador Brownfield. I need only to know that he is a tool of the Bush administration, thus does his "charity" merit no serious consideration. The pelting he sustained could have happened anywhere. He just happened to be at this event when he was recognized, (Perhaps some are familiar with his filthy activities in El Salvador in the 80s.) so the "charity" offered by the ambassador is completely irrelevant.

What is relevant and quite interesting is the symbolism of this event; the rejection by the Venezuelan people of U.S. corporate dominance over Venezuelan politics and economics. This attitude needs to spread far and wide amongst the people of Latin America.

[Demeter]

39. Bad Hat Is Quite a Character Slur

Still, he probably deserves it.

[arewenotdemo]

36. "community outreach"

somebody in Nazipuke spinland deserves a gold star for that gem

[anitar1]

38. Kick the A**hole out of the country. n/t