March 28th., 2007

Oil Association With China Is Taken Seriously

Before 5 years pass, Venezuela will provide 5 Million oil barrels daily to China, whose oil company will expand participation in exploration, perforation and exploitation activities in the Orinoco Basin, wherein the largest oil reservoir of the planet is located.  This is what was affirmed by Chávez after meeting for hours with Li Changchun, one of the nine members of the Central Committee for the Chinese Communist party, who came on an official visit to Venezuela.  Officials from both countries signed numerous agreements, amongst others, one to guarantee, in short term, the increase to 500,000 daily barrels that will be sent to the Asian nation.  It was also agreed that the extra heavy oil of the basin will be processed in the Asian country, in three refineries that will be built by China Petroleum; the constitution of a company to manufacture perforation drills and the beginning of studies to create a naval mixed company that manufactures its own super oil vessels, wherein oil and derivative products will be transported between Venezuela and China.  “We know that there are no antecedents of a similar decision by China in half a century”, manifested Chávez, upon explaining the constitution of what he called the Heavy Strategic Fund, with a capital of US$ 6,000 Million, to which China will contribute with US$ 4,000 Million.  The President asked the visitor to acknowledge to Peking his gratitude for the cooperation to improve the security and defense of the country upon the possibility of an armed aggression on the part of the US.

Similar expressions of gratitude were patent for Alexander Lukachenko, upon the occasion of welcoming a Byelorussian delegation, presided by the Secretary of State, Victor Sheiman, with which numerous cooperation agreements were signed, amongst others, a mixed company that will work with PDVSA in the Orinoco Basin.  According to Aló Presidente, the so called “last dictator of Europe” is a good friend that will not participate in the arms blockade pretended by the US.  He announced that Venezuela works with Byelorussia in the installment of an air defense system of medium and large range, and that Lukachenko will soon visit the country.  He explained the advantages of the technological cooperation that Byelorussia will provide, in different areas, because the economic-political model of the ex Soviet republic “represents an example for developing countries”.  The Minister of Defense met with Sheiman and his accompany men to evaluate the acquisition of air equipment, anti air defense and Mistral missile systems.  Upon request of the visitors, the National Assembly gave international treaty force to the technical-military cooperation agreement signed between Venezuela and Byelorussia last year.

Experts affirm that with the entrance of China to the great geopolitical chess table of the planet, realities change speedily, and do not doubt that the interest in Venezuela by the Asian giant is sincere.  They aim that the target is to satisfy its demand in Africa and Venezuela, foreseeing what may happen in the Persian Gulf.  They have capacity of invest, which Venezuela lacks, and doors open, since Chávez wants powerful friends in the international community.

 CHAVEZ, IDEOLOGICAL LIDER OF THE FARC

In Aló Presidente, Chávez commented about certain declarations made by Raúl Reyes, the Colombian head guerrilla that requests Venezuela and Brazil the acknowledgement of the FARC (Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces) as an actor in the political reality of that country.  He declared to be very flattered by the appraisals from Reyes, without expressly rejecting the message.  According to Venezuelan analysts, behind the declaration, a short and long term strategy is hidden with precise objectives, since advancing peace negotiations, Reyes´ smoke curtain, is not in the FARC´s agenda.  “Peace- they state - is of no interest to those who only prosper outside of the law, whose millionaire drug businesses violate flagrantly  all international regulations”.  They add that our mandatory should reject Reyes´ petition, and that it should not be permitted to the guerrilla to disrespect the border, using our territory as their relieve zone, for kidnappings and bribes.  It is well known that in zones in Apure, the guerrilla camps exercise authority functions before communities that feel unprotected by indifference or government tolerance.

The laudatory exchange between Reyes and Chávez once again places in news columns the explosive declarations by the Colombian Chancellor, Fernando Araujo, in his recent visit to Washington.  Before the International Relations Counsel, a very influential institution within the politics of that country, he expressed: “Chávez is the ideological leader of the Colombian guerrilla”.

Araujo´s affirmation is attested by the fact that he was kidnapped by the FARC for six years.  “I do not want to generate an international incident.  What I say is what I lived.  Within the FARC, the guerrilla get excited when they see him in TV, when they listen to him, it is what they would want to happen in Colombia, they identify with him”. 

The Colombian Minister, conscious of the repercussion of his words, explained: “I am not saying the Chávez supports the guerilla.  What I have said is that the guerrilla supports Chávez.  I am saying what I saw and what I felt while I was kidnapped”.  The government replied and Araujo stated that he would talk to the Venezuelan Chancellor.  The fact that the FARC supports Chávez is no revelation, since there are numerous declarations as such by the guerrilla.  In various opportunities, formally, in communications or declarations from their spokespeople, they claim that for them, there are no boundaries if Chávez were to need of their weapons.  What is new, in certain aspect, is the reference to the ideological part.  Venezuelan newspapers have published reports from journalists that have been in guerrilla camps and affirm that Venezolana de Televisión (VTV), the potent station dedicated to broadcast and promote the Bolivarian revolution, is the one with major rating in camps that have access to cable TV.  Chávez spokespeople with opinion shows in VTV affirm that support to Chávez is not reduced to the FARC, but that it is a major feeling of the Colombian people, and that there are various polls according to which Chávez is the politician with most admiration by the major D and E sectors of Colombia.  Chávez uses oil politics efficiently for his strategic alliances with major potencies. 

The intensive use of an impressive technological communications web allows him to make emotional speeches to the unhappy Colombian masses.  “Our battle against the Venezuelan oligarchy is the same battle fought by Jorge Eliécer Gaitán against the Colombian oligarchy, and we are winning”.

LIKE IN THE TIMES OF “FATHER” STALIN

The word “process” is likely to disappear from the Presidential clients´ language.  Right now, the identity sign is that of fidelity towards the leader.  Cult to the personality.  The change reflects the situation within the groups that make up the gross of the regime.  It is the so called new period of the revolution, in which Chávez demands organic unity around his leadership.  During weeks, the media have dedicated to the shades, regarding the answer of the groups that have been guided by Chávez to dissolve so that the military may affiliate individually to the sole organization that he is proposing:  United Socialist Party (PSU).  “We are dealing – he stated- with a decision that I have taken and that I will not discuss, nor do I wish to impose”.  Whoever is not in favor of it may leave to the opposition”.  Chávez´ terms were convincing.  The Communist Party (PCV), the most ancient party in the country, clandestine at first, with a legal existence of 50 years, and always orthodox Marxist Leninist.  The association with Chávez has reported its militants what they never enjoyed, power quotas that include participation in Government and in the highest levels of bureaucracy. The PCV proposed, as an alternative, a national anti imperialist front.  According to Chávez, “if a front is constituted, each party will pretend to be autonomous and there will be diverse positions, the revolution needs a unique conduction”.  The PCV decided to differ in the matter and maintain the line of collaboration.  According to the General Secretary, the PSU initiative is one of Chávez, and therefore he can legitimately decide the method to constitute same, “he is the unquestionable leader of the revolution”.

In the rainbow of the pro government, a traditional leftist group called Podemos made several claims to the sole party.  “If they want to leave, let them”, thundered Chávez in Aló Presidente.  The following day, various followers in important positions announced their separation from Podemos to subscribe to the PSU.  The Secretary General declared:  “The President says Country, Socialism or Death, we prefer, Country, Socialism and Life, but both phrases mean the same.  Its about semantics”.  Podemos agreed to dissolve, “upon listening to the clamor of the leaders…we have to give way to the PSU to consolidate the unquestionable leadership of the President Chávez”.   Another group, also leftist, is identified with the letters PPT.  Militants of such party hold high positions.  Their General Secretary became news with the explanation granted to the journalists that interviewed him regarding the strong language with which they have been treated in Aló Presidente.  “Chávez is like a father for us, fathers have the right to scold his children and children have  the duty not to respond back”.

On Saturday March 24, Chávez, at the Military Academy theater, spoke before the group summoned to build a unitary feminine platform.  He was eloquent.  “To neutralize government decisions through a judge, from the Supreme Court of Justice,  is treason to the people, treason to the revolution, if done without the leader of the revolution knowing”.  As usual, he made reference to Castro.  He affirmed having said to him, when he was “very sick”, that he could not die.  “He told me, now I can die, the one that can not die is you”.  In Aló Presidente of Tuesday, March 27, he described the characterization of the party he is organizing:  “Disciplined as an army”.