Venezuela, Iran & others: a coalition? (New title)

[91bravojoe]

Bad boy Hugo refuses to accept as 'Ambassador' the individual who has publicly assailed his government, and accused it of arming drug sellers in Columbia. The psuedo-Ambassador also said he would “safeguard American economic interests and investments,” should he serve in Caracas. I' m sure most host countries would welcome such advance planning.

http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/5886

On an earlier occasion, nominee Palmer had stated:

When asked what his top areas of concern are, Palmer cited “threats to human rights and fundamental freedoms” in Venezuela, including threats to “freedom of expression and of the press, the right to own private property, and freedom of association for civil society.” He further criticized “the increasing centralization of power in the executive branch,” and President Chavez’s “explicit rejection of the separation of powers.

http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/5560

Just right for a working relationship.

The context includes some of the Wikileaks material, such as this summary of US intentions to "reassert US leadership in the region":

Kelly, who played a primary role as "mediator" during last year's coup d'etat in Honduras against President Manuel Zelaya, classifies President Hugo Chavez as an "enemy" in his report. "Know the enemy: We have to better understand how Chavez thinks and what he intends...To effectively counter the threat he represents, we need to know better his objectives and how he intends to pursue them. This requires better intelligence in all of our countries". Further on in the memo, Kelly confesses that President Chavez is a "formidable foe", but, he adds, "he certainly can be taken.

http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/5870

Further:

Kelly also revealed the pressure Washington has been applying to Mercosur (Market of the South) to not accept Venezuela as a full member in the regional trade bloc. "With regard to Mercosur, we should not be timid in stating that Venezuela's membership will torpedo US interest in even considering direct negotiations with the trading bloc.

Economic warfare always a crucial diplomatic effort.

Congratulations to the Obama administration for using the Foreign Service Apparatus to demonstrate continuity with little Bush.

[Yousef Foshizzle]

President Chavez has so much hate for the U.S. that he has placed blinders on the range of possibiltities that could actually benefit Veenzuaelans and the people of South America. I submit the following "What ifs" for consideration and debate:

What if: the U.S. and Cuba expanded diplomatic relations and sought a cooperative agreement to promote stability in the Western Hemisphere through collaboration and unity of vision? How could that shape the future security of the Western Hemisphere??? If the two ideological competitors in the Western Hemisphere finally dropped the rhetoric and pushed for the benefit of its citizens... What if???

What if: Hugo Chavez realized that Islamists are "BAD" and that the Islamists (I.E. Iran) are just using him to gain access to the U.S. Although the U.S. has its faults (y suele de sulfur), it is really the best thing going... (author's prejudice). What if???

What if: Hugo worked to capitalize on NAFTA and expand the benefits to South America through a cooperative economic and security agreement with the U.S. , instead of wasting Venezuelan resources to counter "U.S. Imperialists." Opening diplomatic relations could open economic opportunity and enable the "Bolivarian Movement" to provide jobs for "the people" throughout South America. If Chavez's true intention is empowering the people, then this should be a "rational" option... What if???

What if: The Wayuu tribe that converted en masse to Islam and openly welcomed Hezbollah under the auspices of the Chavez government realized that Islam is not synonymous with Islamism, rejected radical Islam (and Hezbollah) and sought to eradicate Islamists (see Bale's definition for Islamism). What if???

What if: The U.S., Cuba, and Brazil stopped using "the people" as the reason for their actions and actually worked together to actually benefit "the people" instead of their own political standing (U.S. included). Government for by the people for the people- just saying... What if???

FOSHIZZLE SENDS

[Pol-Mil FSO]

This link has a detailed explanation of what happened with the Venezuela nomination:

http://americasquarterly.org/node/2058