Venezuela gets nod for UN seat

[Judi Lynn]

Venezuela gets nod for UN seat

Rickey Singh St Kitts

Friday, July 7th 2006

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) will be backing Venezuela in its bid for a non-permanent United Nations Security Council seat in October, when it becomes vacant with the expiry of Argentina's two-year term.

This decision, which has been linked to outstanding issues for coming discussion with Venezuela President Hugo Chavez, was to be reflected in the communique to be released at the conclusion of the four-day 27th Caricom Summit yesterday.

The outstanding issues cover energy cooperation and concerns of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) subregion, over maritime boundary demarcation of Bird Rock,

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Patrick Manning has been mandated to discuss these issues in accordance with the spirit of a recent meeting at Sandy Lane in Barbados among Prime Ministers Manning, Owen Arthur and then Jamaica Prime Minister PJ Patterson.
(snip/...)

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=160979336

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

Posted on Fri, Jul. 07, 2006
CARIBBEAN
Venezuela gets backing for U.N. council seat
Venezuela got a boost for its bid for a U.N. Security Council seat after the 15-member Caribbean Community said it would not support Guatemala's U.S.-backed candidacy.

BY JACQUELINE CHARLES AND PABLO BACHELET
[e-mail]

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - Venezuela's firebrand President Hugo Chávez took a major step toward securing a crucial bloc of votes for a seat on the U.N. Security Council Thursday after the 15-member Caribbean Community made it clear they would not support Guatemala's U.S.-backed candidacy.

A formal declaration of CARICOM's support for Venezuela would come later, but leaders of the regional bloc meeting here said Guatemala's long-standing territorial claims against Belize, a CARICOM member, made them oppose its candidacy.

''The very strong view within CARICOM is that the claim that Guatemala continues to make on Belize is unacceptable,'' said CARICOM Chairman and St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Denzil Douglas.
(snip)

The usually routine process suddenly became a major concern for the Bush administration after Venezuela decided to run on a platform that, according to a Venezuelan brochure for fellow U.N. members, ``seeks to find the balance between the hegemonic tendencies, in favor of the interests of the countries of the South.''
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/14983022.htm



Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil!

[merwin]

1. That will really piss off the Commander In Chimp

[yellowcanine]

14. Prepare for another "pretzel moment".

[unda cova brutha]

19. yep. Anything that pisses off * is ok by me.

[drduffy]

2. best news I read this morning.....

screw the chimp
screw the empire
long live the Republic

[cantstandbush]

3. HOORAY!!!!!! nt

[Vidar]

4. Good news. Thanks for posting.

[go west young man]

5. Go Chavez go!

The U.S. media has upped the rhetoric but Chavez continues to make gains in the world. Now if only the Mexican people will throw out their fraudulently elected prez.

[zann725]

70. Chavez is a do-er. Will NOT be ignored. Will be a much-needed "fresh air"

of Truth at U.N.

Bolton will no doubt be grinding his own teeth down to the stubs on this ones each time Chavez speaks.

[Bacchus39]

6. Interesting take by CARICOM

there opposition to Guatemala is obstensibly based in large part on Guatemala's claim to Belize. Not a word mentioned about Venezuela's claim to most of Guayana.

[Minstrel Boy]

7. Care to hear from Guyana's ambassador

to Venezuela? Maybe then you'll better understand CARICOM's decision. (The dispute, btw, is 100 years old. Though relations between Guyana and Venezuela have "improved tremendously" under Chavez.)

How would you describe the relationships between Guyana and Venezuela?

Odeen Ishmael: The relationship has improved tremendously over the last three to four years. There is a high respect from both sides for the other. I think this has a lot to do with the personal friendship between the two Presidents of our countries. Mr Hugo Chávez and Bharrat Jagdeo are on a first-name-basis. There`s also a longstanding friendship between the people of the two countries, despite the border problem. There have been close interchanges for decades. Many people in Guyana regard the border issue to be an issue for the politicians, not for the common people. The issue is now dealt with by the United Nations, and people are happy about that.

What is the current status of the border dispute?

In the beginning of the eighties, both sides agreed that the matter should be solved by the United Nations. The issue is now in the hands of the Secretary General, who has the task to find a solution. He has been working on it since 1982. He meets with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs from our two countries once a year. Apart from that, the Secretary General appointed a so-called Good Officer of the UN, who is reporting on the progress between the two countries. The Good Officer is Mr. Jackman from Barbados. He should regularly visit both countries, although he hasn’t been here during the last two years. One could say that the border issue is sleeping in the bed of the Secretary General, and both sides are sort of satisfied with the process.

What is the opinion of the Guyanese population about Chávez?

In general, people see Chávez in a good light. Of course, I have also read some comments in some of our newspapers that tend to follow the line of the opposition papers in Venezuela, but in general people are positive. When Chávez visited Georgetown in February 2004, there was a large turnout of people. A lot of our people were impressed by Chávez, when he came to some public forums, where he took time to answer a lot of questions from the public.

Could you imagine that Venezuela would intervene in Guyana?

No, I have no fear of that, those days are long gone. The way forward for us is through the South American integration process. We have to live with each other.

[Bacchus39]

8. the Belize "dispute" is over 100 years old

I suspect that CARICOM support for Venezuela has to do with financial incentives via oil. Guatemala doesn't have that luxury.

and what say you??

[Minstrel Boy]

9. Guyana's ambassador says

tensions have eased markedly under Chavez. That's what I say.

[Bacchus39]

12. Venezuela gives them aid and oil that they don't want to lose

that's what I say. Guatemala is too poor.

[Flanker]

44. Then why is Guyana supporting us?

Why did they vote with Insulza at the OAS? You know they could vote against us in protest?

In current day reality Venezuela is getting along great with 2 of its three traditional enemies (Guyana and Cuba) and ok with Colombia.

Of course we sort of picked up a new one named EEUU.

[Bacchus39]

47. the US doesn't claim Guyana as its territory

Guyana isn't the issue here

[Flanker]

53. If Guyana is not the issue why write 10 posts about it?

nm

[Bacchus39]

54. one more time

the original post that you may want to read quotes a CARICOM person as favoring Ven over Guatemala for the security council position is because of Guatemala's claim over Belize.

My point being that Ven has a claim over Guyana. does that seem a little inconsistent to you?

[Flanker]

56. Not really at all

From below

“We looked at the ongoing border disputes and we recognised that Venezuela’s dispute with Guyana is not as strident as it once was. We know there are some (potential) problems and we want to make sure those problems are not realised."

Clearly you don't get that the issue with Guyana is so low key you hardly read about it in the news. Venezuela has very good relations and is evidenced by their support for us.

[Minstrel Boy]

57. The dispute has been referred to the UN

and is in the hands of the Secretary General. There's no ratcheting up of tension. In fact, under Chavez, relations have improved. It's a dispute, but a peaceful dispute.

The Guatemala and Belize border is quite different. See the Miami Herald, for instance: "Guatemala-Belize fight on border turns deadly ... It is the most violent of border disputes in Central America."

See the difference? Or are you blinded by your hatred of Chavez?

[Bacchus39]

59. I don't think that is the real reason at all

By the way, before the Guyana issue "got better", it got worse under Chavez who kept bringing up the territory dispute in the early part of his presidency.

anyway, as I have stated ad nauseum, I think the ulterior motive is cheap oil. Certainly not alignment with Chavez anti-neoliberal policies since CARICOM has been seeking free trade agreements with just about everybody.

I support a seat for Guatemala on the security council. Why do you hate Guatemala?

[Flanker]

64. Well I can't help you if an ambassadors's testimony

Is not good enough for you (way before Guyana joined any oil agreement with Venezuela) then nothing will be.

You simply don't like Chavez nor Venezuela, but it is your right as a Colombian or related to Colombia.

[ronnie624]

10. Oh really?

Ever since the U.S. charged in 1999 that the European Union (EU) trade preferences given to developing African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries were not in accordance with World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations, the economies of many Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have been rendered incapable of competing on the world market and are teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. The U.S., on behalf of the powerful multinational corporation, Chiquita Brands International Inc., which has major banana interests in Central and South America, has argued that the favorable trade conditions that the EU has afforded developing ACP countries should cease according to WTO provisions.

Subsequently, in May 2001, the EU adopted a new banana import regime corresponding to a deal similar to the one that had been struck with the U.S. without any consultation with Caribbean leaders, whose countries undeniably would be the most affected in the process. The new system includes a phasing-out period aimed at dismantling the current quota and tariff systems that, since the 1970s, have kept the high cost banana industry alive in the Caribbean under provisions of the Lomé Convention. The agreement between the EU and the U.S. was part of the process toward progressively lower tariffs that will become fully effective 1 January 2006. As a result, this will trample the Caribbean islands, especially the islands of Martinique, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent & the Grenadines, under the juggernaut of free trade. Former British Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda Sir Ronald Sanders writes in his new book, Crumbled Small: The Commonwealth Caribbean in World Politics that "Caribbean countries are in a crisis and in urgent need of sympathetic treatment in global economic and trade arrangements to avoid economic decline and higher unemployment."

<http://www.counterpunch.org/rush05262005.html>


And some interesting background on Chiquita Brands International, formerly known as United Fruit Company:

In 1952, Guatemala's democratic government, headed by President Jacobo Arbenz, enacted a genuine agrarian reform bill, which included the expropriation and payment for uncultivated United Fruit land. The corporation saw red. Lobbyists were dispatched to Washington and soon caught the ear of the CIA and the Eisenhower administration, who were not pleased with the new democracy taking root in the "banana republic." In June 1954, a CIA-backed invasion of Guatemala toppled the Arbenz government and eliminated every vestige of democracy. United Fruit's supremacy was once again secure.
Throughout the decades, the United Fruit Company (the name was changed in 1990 to "Chiquita Brands International") reigned as the banana barons of Latin America, with little notice from the U.S. press.
Chiquita's public profile was to change on May 3, 1998, when the Cincinnati Enquirer published an 18-page expose of the banana corporation's questionable business practices. Reporters Mike Gallagher and Cameron McWhirter undertook a year-long, wide-ranging investigation, which included trips to Central America, Europe and Washington D.C. They spoke with farm workers and managers, government officials, environmentalists, scientists and Chiquita executives who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. The reporters also had access to more than 2,000 taped voice mail messages from within the corporation that they said were provided by a high-level Chiquita executive. The tapes have been turned over to the Security and Exchange Commission for examination.

<http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Transnational_corps/ChiquitaBanana.html>

[Bacchus39]

15. oh really what?

I know all about the CIA coup in Guatemala and recall the "fruit dispute" from several years back.

and this relates to CARICOM's backing of Venezuela how???

[ronnie624]

16. Please do not dissemble.

From your post above:

"...there opposition to Guatemala is obstensibly based in large part on Guatemala's claim to Belize."

Now, would you care to address the first link in my initial post?

[Bacchus39]

18. that is exactly what CARICOM said

that they find Guatemala's claim to Belize troubling. Yet, they do not find Venezuela's claim to Guyana troubling too???

[Minstrel Boy]

20. Well, since Guyana doesn't think it's a big deal now,

why should CARICOM?

But nevermind. Chavez is a dictator, etc.

[Bacchus39]

21. sounds like it a big deal for Venezuela though

http://archives.cnn.com/2000/TECH/space/07/31/spaceport.conflict.ap/



and I don't believe Guatemala's claims over Belize are a big deal for Belize either.

[Minstrel Boy]

25. six years old, and not exactly destabilizing.

But keep it up, if you haven't got any better way to spend your Friday.

Canada has a boundary dispute with Denmark. Does that make us bad people?

[Bacchus39]

26. no, my whole point being that the reason given

for backing Venezuela seems dubious since Ven also has a border territorial dispute with a CARICOM neighbor as well. more than likely, its the goodies that the CARICOM states get from Venezuela that Guatemala can't match.

Venezuela isn't the only latin american country that deserves consideration for a security council seat.

[ronnie624]

28. The information presented on this thread

shows conclusively that Guatemala is in pursuit of agreements and policies that benefit the Guatemalan oligarchs, a huge multinational fruit company, and members of the WTO to the detriment of the economies of other members of CARICOM. THIS is why CARICOM supports Venezuela over Guatemala in their respective bids as UN security council members. Given the opposition of Hugo Chavez to these very elements of exploitation, it should be no surprise that CARICOM supports Venezuela over Guatemala.

Why do you blather incessantly about some hundred year-old land dispute that was no more than a vaguely peripheral part of this particular issue--especially since Minstrel Boy has already presented links debunking your bullshit?

[Bacchus39]

29. no way, you are kidding yourself again

just like those who believe Chavez that the US is going to invade and his new purchase of 24 Russian planes is a deterrent.

Chavez is already attempting to organize trading blocks in South America and Ven is already a member of others. The Caribbean nations are not invited.

The CARICOM nations have a much more practical reason for supporting Venezuela over Guatemala. Cheap oil.

[PeaceProgProsp]

30. Cheap oil is one small part of the anti-neoliberalism agenda

Venezuela represents (and which Guatemala doesn't).

You make it sound so nefarious. But it's pretty logical and not so nefarious.

[Bacchus39]

32. no, I say its a practical decision by CARICOM

of course they are going to pursue their best interests. not to mention Chavez is famous for being vindictive. look at Peru.

so why jeopardize getting a good deal on oil by voting for Guatemala which Chavez will read as against Venezuela.

So, I absolutely agree that its a practical non-nefarious decision by CARICOM. Guatemala simply doesn't have much to offer them. I certainly don't believe though it an expression of solidarity with Chavez or punishment for Guatemala's claim on Belize when Ven has done the exact same thing.

[PeaceProgProsp]

37. Yes. It's practical to align yourself with nations which are in the best

position to allow you to have a flourishing democracy and economy.

There's a reason they're called "best" interests.

So you just don't want people to perceive this as solidarity for Chavez? You're spending all this time trying to convince people that they're just anti-Guatemala?

You have a lot of free time.

It's way more likely that this is to express an alignment with anti-neoliberal trade policies which are best expressed by Venezuela.

[Bacchus39]

41. so why is CARICOM pursuing free trade with the US then?

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000012/001279.htm

maybe they are pursuing their best interest?

doesn't seem they are aligning with anti-neoliberal trade policies does it?

not to mention their recent agreements with Costa Rica and the DR.

but please, not let reality get in the way of your conjecture.

[ronnie624]

67. I don't know about all of the countries of CARICOM,

but Guatemala is held firmly in the bloody grip of corporatism, and has been since 1954.

When I think of Guatemala I think of the people who inhabit the country, not the few white skinned elites at the top of their society, reaping all of the profits and benefits of their economy. Whatever trade policies these elites pursue, they will be for their gain--and of course for the profits of a gigantic fruit conglomerate that dominates their economy, the history of which most here are aware of. The poor of Guatemala will get little attention in the consideration of these policies.

The reason CARICOM supports Venezuela's bid for Security Council membership is really quite simple; the Chavez government is far more likely to represent the interests of the countries of Latin America while the oligarchs of Guatemala are far more likely to represent the interests of U.S. fruit companies.

As an aside, I am often shocked and embarrassed at the amount of nutrition contained within a dollar's worth of bananas, knowing full well this bargain comes at the expense of many in Latin America.

I don't know why you insist on perpetuating propaganda and distractions with regard to the realities of Latin America and the history of U.S. "interests" in the region, but I find the practice very bizarre. It's almost as if....well never mind.

The truth is readily available for anyone who seeks it, from innumerable sources. I guess it is for this reason that the right-wing must relentlessly engage their campaign of misinformation, even if their spew often makes no sense at all.

~~~~~~~~~~

Guatemala, just south of the Chiapas region of Mexico, is the third largest country in the region, with a population of more than 11 million and a per capita income of around $1,700. But it is a country characterised by oligarchic control and strong social and economic exclusion, typically along racial lines. Some have even described the structure as imitating the apartheid regime of South Africa, albeit without the legal framework.

The bulk of the population – around 50 per cent, which is one of the highest rates in Latin America - are indigenous Mayan people, who are among the poorest in the society. Two per cent of the population are of "European" extraction, in whom both political and economic power are highly concentrated. The rest are mestizos or ladinos (supposedly of mixed racial descent). The diversity of the Mayan population becomes clear from the fact that 22 separate indigenous languages are spoken throughout the country. The most prevalent non-Spanish language is Quiche Maya which has 700,000 speakers, 95 per cent of whom do not speak Spanish.

Some 57 per cent of the population is estimated to be living in poverty, and extreme poverty affects 25 per cent. Among the Mayan population, extreme poverty is estimated to be as high as 70 per cent. Illiteracy is 36 per cent, yet reaches 51 per cent among indigenous women. In some rural areas, where the majority of the population is indigenous, illiteracy is as high as 90 per cent. School dropout rates are as high as 81 per cent in rural areas and 51 per cent in urban areas. Only 17 of every 100 girls complete primary school, and in rural areas 66 per cent of them drop out of school before completing the third grade.

<http://www.globalpolicy.org/socecon/inequal/2003/0813guatemala.htm>

[Laotra]

77. Bananas

>>>As an aside, I am often shocked and embarrassed at the amount of nutrition contained within a dollar's worth of bananas, knowing full well this bargain comes at the expense of many in Latin America.<<<

Do you have Fair Trade bananas (grown by cooperatives that receive fair price, much more than Del Monte slaves) at your local store? I, like many of my countrymen, refuse to buy Chiquita, Del Monte etc., even though they are cheaper, and Fair Trade bananas has a big market share here and growing.

When I lived in Greece I ate bananas grown in Crete, small but yummier than any other bananas!

[Judi Lynn]

78. Thanks for the tip Fair Trade bananas are out there.

Knowing that, I'm going to look as long as it takes until I find them and I'll NEVER buy United Fruits/Chiquita products EVER again after that.

God, they have a hateful, evil heritage.

[ronnie624]

79. Thanks for the tip! n/t

[Cha]

87. We get fair

trade bananas at our co-op.. a lot of fair trade stuff.

[ronnie624]

39. Would you make up your mind please?

Is it the land dispute or the cheap oil? I'm getting dizzy. :crazy:

[Bacchus39]

42. it is the cheap oil

to recap briefly.

an official of CARICOM says that they will support Ven over Guatemala because of Guatemala's claim over Belize who is a CARICOM member I believe.

however, there is no mention of Ven's claim over Guyana who is also a CARICOM member. A bit hypocritical perhaps??

[Laotra]

60. See post 38

For the statement of CARICOM concerning Venezuela's dispute with Guyana.

You imply, without any evidence, that Venezuela's favourable trade deals with Caricom come with political strings attached, ie. are used for blackmail. This seems a case of projection, since you seem to have no problem at all with well documented and consistent US foreign policy of blackmail (e.g. refusing to train F16 pilots if Chile does not vote for Guatemala), at least I don't see you mentioning or condemning US blackmail. By the same standards you "know" what CARICOM thinks, I "know" that you are rooting for US policy of consistent blackmail while - without any evidence but your antipathy towards Venezuealan people - condemning what you imagine that Venezuela is doing. Hypocricy, not to mention disparaging the integrity of CARICOM governements.

No doubt Venezuela's foreign and trade policies, like cheap oil, create good will towards it among the beneficiaries, and can thus affect policies to some degree, and there is nothing condemnable about it. I don't see anybody denying that kind of influence. But it is quite obvious that it is far the only reason. CARICOM sided with the "good guys" when "bad guys" orchestrated a coup on Haiti and refused to recognized the US puppet (or do you suggest that Chavez made them do it in that case too?).

The fact is, CARICOM takes side against Washington candidate because they side with democracy, don't like Washington, hate Bush and his minions and most of all because they can, as US obviously has not enough leveradge to blackmail them (it would take invading Marines to make them submit to Washington, like in Grenada and Haiti). The Emperor has no clothes and oh how that makes you wail! :D

[Bacchus39]

17. Venezuela was part of that dispute too

from YOUR link:

"The CMOB was intensely disputed from its inception and in 1993, a panel of 5 Latin American banana-exporting countries (Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Venezuela), requested an investigation into the CMOB's compliance with GATT regulations. These exporting countries believed that both the quantitative restrictions on banana production and the tariff preferences granted to the ACP were inconsistent with various GATT rules. Although the ACP was allowed to continue receiving the benefits of the tariff quota/cross-subsidy system, the challenge by the Latin American mainland countries laid the groundwork for the soon-to-be instituted Framework Agreement on Bananas (BFA), which became a key component of the arrangement."

Care to answer why CARICOM would vote for Venezuela who supplies them with cheap oil versus poor Guatemala??? You know, the topic of this thread.

and perhaps you could also explain why you think trade preferences should be given to Caribbean nations but not poor Central America?

[ronnie624]

34. Again, you attempt to cloud the issue with distractions.

I presented links showing why CARICOM might support Venezuela over Guatemala.

"Care to answer why CARICOM would vote for Venezuela who supplies them with cheap oil versus poor Guatemala??? You know, the topic of this thread."

I don't even know what the hell this means. The topic of this thread is:

"Venezuela gets nod for UN seat"

And as for this:

"and perhaps you could also explain why you think trade preferences should be given to Caribbean nations but not poor Central America?"

I think nothing of the sort. I am opposed to the exploitation of Caribbean and Latin American Nations by U.S. and European imperialism. How Latin America and the Caribbean work out their trade differences is their business.

[Bacchus39]

35. and I presented a REASON why CARICOM would vote

for Venezuela. cheap oil. much more plausible than some sort of anti-neoconservative trade policy solidarity movement.

[PeaceProgProsp]

36. Why does preferring Venezuela have to imply hating Guatemala?

Is it because you want to avoid the truth that Venezuela's trade policies present a better opportunity for South and Central American nations to have flourishing democracies and flourishing economies.

It doesn't have to be a knock on Guatemala. It's not their fault that Venezuela is in a better position to help the entire region (Central and South America).

[Bacchus39]

43. I never said that

I maintain that CARICOM gets cheap oil from Ven and Guatemala can't match that. It doesn't mean they hate Guatemala at all.

[Flanker]

46. Of course oil has to do with it but you ignore the obvious

Relations are excellent with Caricom and Guyana, your attempts to equate that relationship with the Caricom Guatemala relationship is obfustication.

[Bacchus39]

48. Guyana is a member of CARICOM

you have some catching up to do.

[Flanker]

52. Funny I did not say they were not

Really what are you talking about? Again Venezuela currentky gets along great with Caricom and Guyana.

If anything what is most intersting but ignored is the "Isla aves" claim.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

65. Thank you for being a source of great amusement yet AGAIN.

The gift that keeps on givin', that's ya.

[yellowcanine]

11. Does Bolton have an Amish barber or is that just a really bad toupee?

[Judi Lynn]

33. It's the John Bowlton cut!

[stop the bleeding]

13. let's cut to the chase - how does this affect the Iran debacle right

now?

[Laotra]

22. How's the vote count?

Venezuela get's the votes of CARICOM, MERCOSUR and probably Chile. Guatamala get's Mexico - assuming there is still some Mexican governement left in the coming weeks and months, probably CAFTA and Andean Community or at least most of them. I can't do the exact math (anybody else?), but seems like Venezuela is going strong.

[Flanker]

55. I made a prediction a while back

Caricom (15), Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Cuba, Paraguay, Bolivia are for Venezuela

Undecideds: Ecuador (likely to vote with us) Chile (likely to vote Guatemala) Dominiacan Republic (dunno)

Against: Central America (6) Mexico, Peru, Colombia.

Don't count: Canada, US.

Granted it is not a majority vote it is about consensus, meaning if only Guatemala is left alone the General assembly picks it up, that said the more votes the better for the General assembly vote.

[GodlessBiker]

23. Is that a rug?

[Judi Lynn]

58. The selection is probably limited for those with such oversized heads! n/t

[marmar]

24. Silly-Ass Moustache Man is going to go ballistic...

He's going to attack somebody with his shoe.

[yellowcanine]

61. The moustache is about the only cool thing he has going for him.

[Barkley]

82. Ed Schultz calls it a '1970s porn moustache'

and Bolton does look something outta a 1970s porn flick.

[me b zola]

27. This is good news

Although I imagine the bush* cabal will pull some antics out of their collective arse--if Bolton's head doesn't explode first :)

[mom cat]

31. Looks like arms are not as twistable as they used to be.

[Judi Lynn]

40. One giant step for mankind, isn't it? Wooohooo. n/t

[mom cat]

76. The world says "NO!". Maybe it is not a farfetched dream after all.

[Judi Lynn]

38. VENEZUELA GETS NOD (St. Kitts)

VENEZUELA GETS NOD

Friday July 07 2006

Caricom leaders, at the St. Kitts Summit, have made it clear they would offer their support to Venezuela’s bid to earn a seat on the United Nations Security Council.

This was advanced at a press conference yesterday at the end of the summit held at the East Caribbean Central Bank headquarters.

“We looked at the ongoing border disputes and we recognised that Venezuela’s dispute with Guyana is not as strident as it once was. We know there are some (potential) problems and we want to make sure those problems are not realised.

“We feel very strongly that any member that would receive support from Caricom must adhere to some basic principles….
(snip)

The article by Tom Regan claimed that behind the scenes, US officials have been applying pressure, even to close allies, Latin American diplomats said. For example, Washington has agreed to sell F-16 fighter jets to Chile, but were warning that Chilean pilots would not be trained to fly them if the government supported Venezuela’s Security Council bid, the diplomats said.
(snip/...)

http://sunstkitts.com/paper/?asknw=view&asknw=view,view,view&as=view&sun=494418078207132005&an=151123109707072006&ac=Local&shwef=343720117007072006&pstamp=ASKNW&CFID=2945829&CFTOKEN=81482418&jsessionid=9830d4137e8c2172573a

[samsingh]

45. does this make it a done deal? - will be highly irritating

to the idiot in chief.

[Judi Lynn]

49. Things will come together in October when Argentina vacates its

2 year term position on the Security Council.

You may remember they voted the U.S. off the council for a term not too long after _Bush started wreaking havoc in the world. Right wing was fit to be tied, bitched and squalled like no one's business. Idiots.

[samsingh]

50. thanks - and i love the font with the idiot's name lowered

[Bacchus39]

51. the US can't be voted off the Security Council

the US is a permanent member.

you may want to revise your statement.

[Zhade]

62. WOOHOO!

Viva Venezuela! Viva Chavez!

[Tight_rope]

63. Viva Chavez...The UN needs some fresh meat!

[Judi Lynn]

66. Caricom says no to Guatemala

Caricom says no to Guatemala


Friday, 07 July 2006
As Caricom states prepare to back Venezuela’s candidature for the non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, OECS leaders have been explaining why they are lining up behind Caracas.

St. Kitts prime minister, Dr. Denzil Douglas, says the other candidate, Guatemala, has been hostile to Caribbean concerns.

Further, he said, Guatemala hasn't even directly approached caricom to explain why it's interested in the seat.

OECS chairman, Antigua’s prime minister Baldwin Spencer, says supporting Guatemala is entirely out of the question.
(snip/)

http://www.cbc.bb/content/view/6294/45/

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

Venezuela gets nod for UN seat
Rickey Singh St Kitts

Friday, July 7th 2006

~snip~
Arthur was blunt in declaring on Thursday that Guatemala had been consistent in pursuit of polices inimical to the best interests of Caricom states.

He cited, as examples, Guatemala's lead role in opposing the battle, by Caricom, for a favourable regime in World Trade Organisation negotiations for this region's banana exports to Europe.

Gonsalves had declared as early as Wednesday that "there is no way the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines will support Guatemala against Venezuela in securing the UN Security Council seat".
(snip)

Both Arthur and Gonsalves-like at least two other Prime Ministers who preferred not to go public just yet-also spoke against Guatemala resorting to using the influence of the USA to campaign on its behalf, rather than engaging in direct negotiations as a sovereign state, deemed an offensive occurrence.
(snip/...)

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=160979336

[1932]

68. I guess that addresses Bachuss's points.

[Judi Lynn]

69. Hmmmm. Didn't read it, I'm afraid. "Ignore" button has been in effect.

I have seen all the other posts, however, with a whole lot of "ignored" posts scattered among them.

I'll never understand why anyone goes to a Democratic message board and fights Democrats like a madman to shore up the truly evil position of a complete Republican fool pResident.

[1932]

71. you're not missing much. don't worry.

It's not even worth repeating.

[Judi Lynn]

72. Yeah? Sounds familiar. The ones I did see seemed to go in circles.

Somewhat rigidly repititious.

I learned finally you could get caught up trying to answer them, and suddenly where DID the day go, and you discover you're still getting the same stuff over and over again.

I started suspecting that may be the goal of some of these folks: tie up a conversation with endless gibberish and nothing important gets through.

I ALWAYS admired your patience. Real quality DOES shine through, you know.

[Laotra]

80. See post 60

Strange, no response from the obsessive poster... ;)

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

84. You don't understand? Well, I do.

Board rules prevent me from explaining why, though.

[Terran1212]

73. No, no "dictator" Hugo Chavez!

The UN is so decidedly anti american now we might as well just pull out! /rightwing talk radio

[Rainscents]

74. Oh, I can't wait!!!

You'll see lot of fire work!!! :thumbsup:

[Joanne98]

75. GOD BLESS HUGO CHAVEZ!

[SoCalDem]

81. Ole Koo-Koo-Ka-Choo will never allow it....n/t

[Demeter]

83. I'm Getting the Bubbly Ready, Venezuela!

[fujiyama]

85. HAHA

:rofl:

This should drive the administration crazy...

[Cha]

86. That should FUN!

Hope they send someone who verbally knock bolten on his interlopin' ass.