Statement by Venezuelan Ambassador to the United States on Yesterday's Ele

[mom cat]

Statement by Venezuelan Ambassador to the United States on Yesterday's Election

3 minutes ago





To: National Desk


Contact: Erin Malec, 510-525-3004


WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following is a statement by Venezuelan Ambassador to the United States, Bernardo Alvarez:


Yesterday's vote proves once again that Venezuela is a vibrant and functioning democracy. The Carter Center and the Organization of American States have certified the elections as fair and free, finding no evidence of fraud, and called on the Venezuelan opposition to accept the results.


Venezuelan citizens went to the polls in record numbers to participate in our thriving electoral system. Today, with its transparency and numerous checks and balances, the Venezuelan electoral process stands as one of our nation's crowning achievement.


The Venezuelan people have affirmed, for the third time in six years, that they support President Hugo Chavez and his reform agenda. Today, for the first time in 50 years, Venezuela's national oil wealth is being invested in ways that will grow the middle class, create jobs and provide health care and education to all of our citizens.


President Chavez immediately reached out to his opponents, saying, "Those who voted for the yes should not feel defeated. I want to send them our respect."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/usnw/20040816/pl_usnw/statement_by_venezuelan_ambassador_to_the_united_states_on_yesterday_s_election139_xml&e=3

[burrowowl]

1. VIVA CHAVEZ!

Haven't heard Bu$hco's response yet.

[kyattaman]

6. VIVA CHAVEZ

I heard a great story on Democracy Now about Chavez' victory and basically they said the opposition has no program. I am glad that the campesinos recognize this.

[IndianaGreen]

15. Bu$hco was never elected!

How could he understand what it is to have the candidate with the most votes be declared the winner?

[Mojambo]

2. I really admire what they've accomplished

I wonder how long it will take the Neocons to tear it down?

[Massacure]

4. I'm not entirey sure they will tear it down . . .

They used Electronic Voting, they could use it to praise electronic voting here in the states. . .

[Mojambo]

7. with verifiable paper ballots.

It we could get that here, I'd feel a lot better.

[patdem]

3. I want to hear from the US ambasador to Venezuela...Now THAT would

be interesting!!!..

Viva Chaves yes!!! Power to the people!!!

[Judi Lynn]

12. That would be one fine moment in history.

I'd like to hear from the ambassador who invited wealthy Venezuelans to our taxpayer-funded embassy for dinner and entertained them with a ventroloquist who used a dummy which proceed to ridicule Hugo Chavez in obscene, filthy ways.

Yes, I'd love to hear what Charles Shapiro has to say. He's also the one who came staggering over to throw his arms around the new coup President-for-a-day, Pedro Carmona, and embrace him like his long-lost love the moment they all thought they'd pulled it off. Big smooch.


Our above-politics ambassador, Charles Shapiro.

[Larkspur]

5. What's Kerry's response?

Since he chided Chavez and not the oligarchs for being anti-democratic.

[Zhade]

8. Indeed. I'm very interested in Kerry's reaction to this.

It will speak volumes - in a good way, I would hope.

Viva Chavez! Viva Venezuela!

Oh yeah - and FUCK THE OLIGARCHY!

}(

[cal04]

9. Chavez Survives Recall, Observers Dismiss Fraud

Chavez foes frequently criticized top National Electoral Council officials as biased in favor of the president, who was first elected in 1998 and re-elected in 2000.

"We can't say to Venezuelans who came out to vote in massive numbers and who are being robbed of a huge victory that we are going to think for 24 hours," said opposition leader Antonio Ledezma. "We have to take to the streets.
" But Carter dashed opposition hopes of international sympathy.
"We have so far not found any element of fraud in this process, and we want to be clear about that," he said.

In Washington, U.S. officials said the observers' assessment pressured the opposition to either accept defeat or flesh out their claims of fraud so that they could be investigated. "The opposition has had every chance imaginable and with this result the pressure shifts from Chavez and onto the opposition to accept it," said one U.S. official, who asked not to be identified.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&e=3&u=/nm/20040816/ts_nm/venezuela_dc

[struggle4progress]

10. <snip> Some lines at polling places extended for 1.25 miles, stunning ...

... even veteran election monitors. Opposition leaders appealed to Venezuelans to bring food and water to those still waiting to cast ballots.

"This is the largest turnout I have ever seen," exclaimed former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who monitored the vote. "There are thousands of people in line, waiting patiently and without any disturbance."
<snip>

Venezuelan recall vote extended
08/16/2004
http://www.azdailysun.com/non_sec/nav_includes/story.cfm?storyID=92470

[genius]

11. Why can't we have democracy like this?

[BeHereNow]

13. Imagine...

"Today, for the first time in 50 years, Venezuela's national oil wealth is being
invested in ways that will grow the middle class, create jobs and provide health care and education to all
of our citizens."

Gee, why can't we have leaders that think like that?
BHN

[seventhson]

14. IMPORTANT QUOTE:

Today is a new day in Venezuela. I believe it can also be a new day for US - Venezuelan relations. We look forward to constructing a new relationship -- one based on mutual respect -- with the US government.

[Eloriel]

16. It's a wonderful statement

Fills my heart, and almost my eyes (with tears). I'm so happy for Venezuela and that amazingly resilient Chavez. Viva Chavez!!