Opinion and Analysis: Media Watch
Venezuela’s Referendum: Media’s Double Standards
With Sunday's Venezuelan referendum on term limits, we can expect to hear a lot about Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez’s “plan to become president for life” and its reflection on "Venezuela's battered democracy"--as the New York Times editors put it around the time of Venezuela’s last (failed) term limits referendum.
But when Colombian President Álvaro Uribe's efforts to change a constitutional prohibition barring a president from serving more than one term succeeded in 2005, the U.S. media took little notice, and Uribe's reputation as the U.S.'s favorite 'democrat' in the region remained intact.
While not identical, the two examples have some notable parallels. In Colombia, the amendment on term limits that Congress voted on in 2004, and the Supreme court upheld the following year, allowed Uribe to seek a second term in office, paving the way for his reelection. Uribe is currently pushing to amend the constitution to allow him to run for a third term. In Venezuela, Chavez is seeking constitutional changes that would eliminate term limits altogether. The change in Colombia's term limits law was a big story in Colombia, in good part because the Colombian courts have sentenced the congress member who cast the deciding 2004 vote on the amendment to almost four years under house-arrest for taking bribes from Uribe aides (he knew nothing, of course) in exchange for her vote. And though Uribe supporters are collecting signatures to get him on the ballot for 2010 elections, the bribery affair has caused Colombian courts to raise questions about Uribe’s eligibility.
Yet Uribe’s scandal-ridden term limits efforts were treated as far less newsworthy by U.S. editors than the Venezuelan government’s moves to put the question of term limits to the popular ballot. A search of “Álvaro Uribe and “term limits” in the Nexis database of U.S. newspapers and wires turns up 60 articles, in contrast to 1003 articles about Chávez and term limits. A spot check reveals that even the articles mentioning Uribe and “term limits” were often about Chávez's efforts to lift term limits, not Uribe's maneuvers.
Similarly, 286 articles mentioned both Chávez and “president for life,” while only 29 articles mention Uribe and that epithet--but virtually all of those 29 were again referring to Chávez's perceived power grabs, not Uribe's. (One Associated Press story did compare Uribe to Chávez, but didn’t quite apply the term to Uribe: “The wonkish, diminutive but tirelessly tenacious politician [Uribe], who turned 56 on Friday, has been cagey on that score. Those who oppose the idea [of Uribe running again] say it would put him in league with his continental rival, Hugo Chávez of Venezuela, who has been widely branded autocratic for doing his utmost to try to stay president for life.") This discrepancy reinforces the findings of a recent FAIR study, “Human Rights Coverage Serving Washington’s Needs,” which found that editors at major U.S. papers portray Colombia as a safer haven for human rights and democracy than Venezuela, despite Colombia's vastly more dismal record.
It would seem the role of U.S. reporting and opinion on Venezuela (and Colombia) is less about informing the public about real threats to democracy and human rights in Latin America than it is about serving as a propaganda arm of U.S. foreign policy. One would be wise to remember this when reading about Venezuela’s referendum this weekend.
Steve Rendall is FAIR's senior analyst and the co-author of FAIR's February 2009 study, "Human Rights Coverage Serving Washington's Needs: FAIR finds editors downplaying Colombia’s abuses, amplifying Venezuela’s." Isabel Macdonald is the communications director at FAIR.
Clarification: An earlier version of this article was unclear with regards to the situation in Colombia; the article stated that Colombia's amendment had "lifted term limits," whereas it had actually changed the limit from one to two terms.
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Comments
HCI-FPFS FELICITATES THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA!
HUGO CHAVEZ INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR PEACE, FRIENDSHIP AND SOLIDARITY
HCI-FPFS.
Email contacts: hugocha17@gmail.com; mahmomodoukn@gmail.com; ceo_alimamy@rocketmail.com
Press Statement 16 February 2009.
Subject: HCI-FPFS FELICITATES THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA!
Against a barrage of wicked media slander and attempts by imperialist forces to smear President Hugo Chavez and the elected Government of Venezuela, amendment in the Constitution has received massive approval of the people. Thus making it possible for any qualify citizen of Venezuela to be elected to serve the people repeatedly as many times as the person manages to secure a majority vote of the population through free, fair, frequent, universal and direct suffrage.
The unprecedented massive YES votes in the national referendum, called and held on 15 February, 2009 was more or less a battlefield for most Venezuelans to demonstrate once again their unflinched support for the ‘Bolivarian Revolutionary Alternative Socialism of the 21st. century’. It was a devastating defeat not only for the reactionary, fascist and anti-people’s capitalist oligarchy, but also for the hoaxed in Washington who are bent on drawing subversive plans on the board to overthrow the elected Government of Venezuela by illegal and violent means, and to assassinate President Hugo Chavez.
We, in the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCI-FPFS) congratulate President Hugo Chavez, the people and Government of Venezuela on the passage of the constitutional amendment in the referendum. Today’s announcement by Venezuela’s National Election Council (CNE) is not only commendable, but has also created a solid foundation for stable progress and advancement of democratic good governance in that country.
President Hugo Chavez and his PSUV (United Socialist Party of Venezuela) campaigned in every corner of Venezuela. They campaigned tirelessly as they traversed the entire land space across Venezuela. Unfortunately, the reactionary, fascist opposition vacillated and procrastinated. The opposition swung between platitudes and threats of public disorder and breach of peace as they misled the public with lies and well-tailored stories that are far away from the truth and reality.
The opposition was threatening the state with attempt to commit acts of violence, public disorder, coup, political assassination, instead of trying to make the Venezuelan people understand, that the urgently needed change in the Constitution is no different from the practice, say for instance in the United Kingdom where Lady Margaret Thatcher won four consecutive terms for the Conservative Party, and Tony Blair won three terms for the Labour.
One may wonder why the Venezuelan opposition opted to commit political suicide by exhibiting a lack of vision and wisdom towards the Venezuelan people’s desire for continuity of good governance, stability in national body polity and greater real democracy, which the outcome of the referendum has achieved. The Venezuelan people do not want alternative to their desire, as experience in other countries and regions around the world show that any substitute to good governance and real democracy only leads to injustice and reversal of progress.
Venezuela desires a Government and a caring, responsible and responsive leadership that improves lives and delivers on its policies and programs. The results of the referendum therefore, are a clear proof that the Government of President Hugo Chavez is most serious, and has demonstrated its unflinched determination not to betray the conscience of the Venezuelan nation, but rather to face each and every situation with the aim to ensure that the Venezuelan people continue to reap the gains of the revolution. It is a fact that the elected Government of President Hugo Chavez has laid a strong foundation, which needs to be sustained with tenure delimitation for holders of public trust.
The huge voters turn-out in the nationwide referendum was a significant advancement in Venezuela’s democratic experience; a victory for good governance and good government; and a defeat for the reactionary, fascist imperialist, oligarchy opposition and mafia-narcotic-drug cartels that are bent on harming the dignity and integrity of Venezuela. Unlike the December 2, 2007 referendum, where there was a huge record of absentee votes, the February 15, 2009 votes, whether YES or NO, the massive participation of the people was most important. Those who voted against still have a role to play in the process of discussion and decision-making on the future direction of Venezuela by embracing the rule of law, due process and democracy.
While we express our appreciation to the Venezuelan National Election Council and the Security for their efforts to create conditions necessary for Venezuelan people to participate in the referendum, which was concluded by international observers as peaceful, fair and transparent, we take the opportunity to remind all Venezuelans at home and the diaspora that, the only appropriate antidote to an imperfect democracy is greater democracy. We take also the opportunity to prevail on the Barrack Obama Administration in Washington to grab the opportunity which the triumph of the YES votes in the Venezuelan referendum has created, to revamp US tainted foreign policy towards Latin American countries and the world.
We believe common sense would prevail, and the Obama Administration will abandon the hate-filled policies of its predecessor towards President Hugo Chavez and the Venezuelan Government in favour of peace, stability and freedom. The opportunity is open for a new chapter of US-Venezuelan relations.
Once again, we congratulate the people of Venezuela for their decisive votes, finally throwing the vicious capitalist oligarchy system into the dustbin of history.
Long live President Hugo Chavez!
Long live the Venezuelan Revolution!
Solidarity with the Venezuelan people!
Sender:
Alimamy Bakarr Sankoh,
President of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity
HCI-FPFS.
For and on behalf of the Executives and supporters of HCI-FPFS.
ISRAEL PREPARING GROUNDS FOR INVASION OF LATIN AMERICA-AN OPEN S
HUGO CHAVEZ INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR PEACE, FRIENDSHIP AND SOLIDARITY
HCI-FPFS
Email contacts: hugocha17@gmail.com; absankoh@gmail.com.
13 June, 2009.
Subject: ISRAEL PREPARING GROUNDS FOR INVASION OF LATIN AMERICA-AN OPEN SOLIDARITY LETTER TO PRESIDENTS HUGO CHVAEZ OF VENEZUELA AND EVO MORALES OF BOLIVIA.
Dear Presidents Chavez and Morales,
With humility and respect, I am writing this letter on behalf of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCI-FPFS), to express our solidarity with your Governments and entire peace and freedom-loving people of Latin America. At a time when Israeli government continues its menacing threats and, love for war, aggression and territorial ambition, we salute your outstanding leadership qualities.
The civilise world knows that you are role models, and as such your leadership style and commitment to peace, freedom, human rights and dignity have placed you high above others. Your leadership contributions in Latin America and the world have proved that a government built on the foundation and pillars of socialism provides credible alternative solution to the failed dogmas of capitalism and communism.
We are disturbed by Israeli government’s recent hostile attempt to brand Venezuela and Bolivia as exporter of uranium to boast the assumed Iranian nuclear weapons program. Much as we support your leadership commitment to world peace, security and disarmament, we condemn all smear campaign directed against your Governments. We therefore, call on all good people to denounce Israel’s vigorous demonisation campaign against your Governments.
One thing out of Israel’s attempts to misrepresent your countries strong bond of friendship and cooperation with Iran, and that is there is a deliberately well-calculated plan to besmirch progressive nations that are resisting US imperialism and bankrupt policies, and meddling in the domestic matters of other countries. We call on the Israeli government to stop its obnoxious Zionist campaign against your Governments, and instead redirect its (Israel) efforts aimed at implementing all United Nations Security Council resolutions, which call for ending the illegal and brutal occupation of Arab lands and territories in the Middle East.
If anything, permit me Your Excellencies to end this letter by urging Israel to clean its backyard first instead of making itself a forward fictitious intelligence reports designer for possible invasion and aggression against other parts of the world.
With US stockpile of over 5000 nuclear weapons and Israel close to having 400 nuclear arsenals including weapons that are capable of destroying any human being with an Arab gene, it is clear now that these two countries, i.e. the US and Israel are the greatest threat to mankind’s peace, security and progress.
As always, the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCI-FPFS) continues to pray that God Almighty guides and protect you against the devil incarnate, and wish you all good health and success in all your endeavours as leaders with a common vision for Latin America and the world.
Sincerely,
Alimamy Bakarr SANKOH
President of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCI-FPFS),
HCI-FPFS CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT RE-ELECT OF IRAN.
HUGO CHAVEZ INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR PEACE, FRIENDSHIP AND SOLIDARITY
HCI-FPFS
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Email contacts: hugocha17@gmail.com; absankoh@gmail.com.
17 June, 2009.
To: H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Teheran.
Your Excellency,
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RE-ELECTION.
On behalf of the Hugo Chavez Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCI-FPFS), and on my own behalf as President of the Foundaion, it gives me pleasure to congratulate you on your well deserved re-election to the presidency of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Your re-election to this high office is an expression of sincere support and profound trust in your stewardship.
This clear mandate will no doubt bolster your confidence as you seek to enhance Iran's development. Your special role leadership qualities in the area of technology for peaceful and general development urposes, in which you have been providing invaluable guidance, would surely achieve its objectives, Insha Allaho.
Your re-election therefore represents a great hope for the good people of Iran, as well as the oppressed, marginalised and poverty-strikened humankind. It also unleashes devastating blow on the enemies of the Iranian people, who are bent on destabilising nations and regions around the world.
For us in the Hugo Chavez Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCI-FPFS), it is our conviction that your country's bond of cooperation and fraternal relations with Venezuela, under the leadership of your comrade and revolutionary brother, H.E. President Hugo Chavez will further strengthen and and attain greater height in the years to come, for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries-Iran and Venezuela.
Please accept, Your Excellency, my best wishes for your personal well-being and the prosperity, stability and security of your country.
Respectfully,
Alimamy Bakarr SANKOH
President of the Hugo Chavez Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCI-FPFS)
DO NOT SET-UP COLOMBIAN SECURITY BASES IN WEST AFRICA.
HUGON CHAVEZ INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR PEACE, FRIENDSHIP AND SOLIDARITY
HCI-FPFS
Email contacts: hugocha17@gmail.com, absankoh@gmail.com
Public Statement 20 June 2009.
Subject: DO NOT SET-UP COLOMBIAN SECURITY BASES IN WEST AFRICA.
We, issue this public statement to register our strong protest against plans to set up Colombian security network bases in West Africa, with Sierra Leone to serve as the headquarters for such foreign establishments. We demand that all aspects of this plan be abandoned immediately. The plan our investigation reveals was drawn by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in Washington and imposed on governments in the West African sub-region. The plan is nothing but a front for extension of US funded subversive program in Colombia, known as “Plan Colombia” (another form of US axis of domination and destabilisation).
We see an imminent danger and threat that allowing the presence of Colombian forces on the African soil will ultimately mean stationing rightwing terrorist outfits in Africa. Such plan if allowed to be put in place will automatically be misused and turn out to be a satellite base for covert and overt activities, and for bolstering the narcotic drugs trade in the region.
The unholy alliance between the US and Colombia is notorious in meddling in Venezuela’s internal matters under various pretexts. This is the usual imperialist game play, and it is on record that the two countries, i.e. US and Colombia have been working on the clock to destabilise Venezuela, kill President Hugo Chavez and make Venezuela the current Iraq of Latin America. They have been pursuing their agenda of destabilisation and political assassination through manipulation of international instruments and the media; funding activities of rightwing terrorist groups and secessionist campaign against Venezuela. They have also been associating with the activities of Venezuela’s opposition to overthrow the Government of President Hugo Chavez.
Through the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the US and Colombia have infiltrated into Venezuela in an attempt to assassinate President Hugo Chavez. While NED tout itself as championing democracy and human rights, the brazen meddling of a US funded Organisation into other countries internal matters reveals the hypocrisy and double standards of the US Government in the areas of true democracy and human rights.
NED has funded NGOs in Eastern Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa that have been largely responsible for the overthrow of governments in Somalia, Pakistan, Iraq, Haiti, Serbia, Afghanistan and Mauritania. Today over half a million of these NGOs operate worldwide. Also on the US-funded target list for regime change are Iran, Syria, Belarus, Cuba, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Sudan Eritrea, Zimbabwe and Gambia, to name only a few. The NGOs subvert and overthrow governments that resist Western imperialism and corporate interests. The US funded NGOs into a country is often a prelude to war. In Sudan for instance, NED funded NGOs to organise brutal rebellion to destabilise the government of President Hassan Al-Bachir in Khartoum. Attempt by the government to protect and defend the constitution, sovereignty, patrimony, territorial integrity and interest of the Sudanese people are wrongly misconstrued.
It is utterly disappointing that while the world had reason to celebrate the disgraceful exit of George Walker Bush in the White House in favour of “change the American people say they believe in”, the Obama Administration has decided to continue the US unholy alliance with Colombia (under President Alvaro Uribe). This includes an acceleration of wicked lies, vilification campaign and attempt to overthrow the Government of President Hugo Chavez.
In addition, the imperialist puppet, drug dealer and Indians slaughterer (four million refugees), President Alvaro Uribe has since his inception into power vowed to destroy President Hugo Chavez and the Bolivarian socialist revolution in Venezuela. This same Uribe pretends that proofs of Hugo Chavez supports to terrorism and militarism in Latin America have been found in the indestructible Raul Raye’s (FARC) computer. The mainstream media reflects this dirty lie and malicious propaganda campaign for another US holocaust campaign against humanity.
If Colombian National Police Commander, General Oscar Naranjo is serious about tracking down the menace of narcotic drug trafficking, he should imply start by attacking and destroying the supply base, which is Colombia. Charity begins at home. Every one knows that President Alvaro Uribe and his family are deeply involved in drug trafficking. General Oscar Naranjo himself knows where to locate the 570 plants that produced cocaine, heroin and other harmful drugs in Colombia, including the owners, distributors and middle agents for those plants.
The objectives for creating Colombian security bases in West Africa have now been realised. The fact that the government of Sierra Leone recently joined the anti-Venezuelan vilification campaign to destroy the integrity of the Government of President Chavez, NED saw an opportunity to launch attacks on Venezuela. It is now clear that any Colombian security base in Africa, particularly the plan Colombian security headquarters in Sierra Leone would be used as a staging post to demonise Venezuela. There is an urgent need for African governments to refrain from any that threatens peace and security, and we see the Colombian plan as an evil agenda, which must be abandoned immediately.
The remodelling of Plan Colombia to be extended to African is an unacceptable threat to world peace and complicit with the United States in the war against narco trafficking. People all over the World will join forces with the HCI-FPFS to demand rejection of Colombian plans to set-up bases in Africa. We need to challenge and counter the “War on Narco trafficking” rhetoric, when it matters the security of other countries.
Sender:
Alimamy Bakarr SANKOH
President of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCI-FPFS).
“US COUP IN HONDURAS IS HEINOUS ACT OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM”
HUGO CHAVEZ INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR PEACE, FRIENEDSHIP AND SOLIDARITY
HCI-FPFS
A LOT OF WHAT WE DO IN THE National Endowment for Democracy (NED) was
done covertly 25 years ago by the US Central Intelligence Agency
(CIA). By Allen Weinstein, First President of the Washington based
NED.
Press Release 30 June 2009.
Subject: “US COUP IN HONDURAS IS HEINOUS ACT OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM”.
The Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, friendship and
Solidarity (HCI-FPFS) joins millions of civilised peoples in Latin
America, Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa to condemn the US brutal
coup against the elected Government of President Dr. José Manuel
Zelaya and the people of Honduras. This international terrorism is
both an attempt to destroy democracy and freedoms of a whole nation
and threatened peace, security and stability.
The real and entirely cynical objectives of the US covert action and
coup against the elected Government of Honduras include expanding the
vicious program “Plan Columbia” and its terror outfits; prosecuting
the Bushrite evil agenda of regime change and bolstering US hegemony
and thievery in the hemisphere. In overall strategic terms, the US
coup against the elected Government of President Dr. José Manuel
Zelaya and people of Honduras is part of a broader imperialist agenda
that includes the destabilization of progressive Governments in Latin
America and elsewhere, including in particularly the overthrown of the
elected Government of Venezuela and murder of President Hugo Chavez.
We condemn the kidnapping of Honduras Foreign Minister, Hon. Mrs.
Patricia Rodas and vandalisation of foreign embassy premises,
including Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua by the Honduran coupists as an
act of war against civilized norms and standards of behavior. While we
demand the unharmed release of Mrs. Patricia Rodas, we support the
return of President Manuel Zelaya to continue the mandate given him by
the people of Honduras to lead their country.
The Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, friendship and
Solidarity (HCI-FPFS) condemns the hypocrisy and double standards, as
well as the criminal complicity of European Union Governments, the
major collaborators to US heinous terrorism against humanity.
We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Honduran people for human
rights, democracy, freedom and dignity.
Signed:
Alimamy Bakarr SANKOH
President of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace,
friendship and Solidarity (HCI-FPFS)
OPEN LETTER TO THE SIERRA LEONEAN PRESIDENT, ERNEST BAI KOROMA I
HUGO CHAVEZ INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR PEACE, FRIENDSHIP AND SOLIDARITY
HCI-FPFS.
3rd July, 2009.
OPEN LETTER TO THE SIERRA LEONEAN PRESIDENT, ERNEST BAI KOROMA IN PROTEST OF HIS GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-VENEZUELAN COVERT ACTIVITIES.
H.E. President Ernest Bai Koroma
President of the Republic of Sierra Leone
Independent Avenue
Freetown.
Your Excellency,
It is utterly disappointing that a government which claimed to advocate peace and even currently lobbying the United Nations for participation in international peace keeping operations should be waging covert wars against a member-state of the UN Body. Such conclusion, however, is undisputable in the light of the following:
1. Your government’s attempts to smear the illuminating personality of President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela;
2. Allowing the use of the Sierra Leonean soil by hostile foreign forces, including the CIA, FBI, DEA, MI6, SCOTLAND YARD and Colombian secret service agents to plan and execute a grand malicious propaganda campaign against the Government of Venezuela.
3. Your government’s attempts to link Venezuela to the nefarious activities of Colombian organized crime groups in West Africa;
4. Your government’s negotiations to establish Colombian Security bases in Sierra Leone, a program which to all intents and purposes threatens the personal security and safety of President Hugo Chavez,
as well as the peace and stability of Venezuela;
5. Promoting a covert program spearheaded by the comprador government of Colombia to overthrow the Government of Venezuela, kill President Hugo Chavez and destroy the Bolivarian revolution in Latin America;
6. Acting as puppet of US imperialism to demonize Venezuela.
7. Rehearsing western imperialist rhetoric, i.e. anti-Venezuela, anti-Chavez, anti-socialist, to undermine the CNDD Government of President Moussa Dadis Camara in Guinea; you have also in both
regional, continental and international gathering referred to President Dadis Camara as a tool of the Venezuelan leader, whom you have also accused of trying to import Photostat copy of Venezuelan
socialism in West Africa;
8. Your government, through Defense and National Security Minister Paolo Conte, recent attempt to hull officials at the State Department and Pentagon in Washington against the Government of Guinea.
9. Your government’s deliberate attempt to misrepresent Guinea, and your call for the imperialist forces to take immediate steps against the Government of President Dadis Camara, to stop what your government
says, the rise of a Hugo Chavez in West Africa.
These are taking place in the context of:
- Your government’s attempts to promote hostile policies against Venezuela.
- Your government’s attempts to defend and promote imperialist agenda.
- Your government’s desire to establish an unholy alliance with cocaine producing Colombia.
- Your government’s attempts to undermine Guinea’s successful campaign against the illicit drug trade, and other transnational organized
crimes.
The Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCI-FPFS) asks that your government does not repeat the sad story of 1982, whereby Sierra Leone, under your ruling APC Party,
led by President Siaka Stevens offered bases to the Royal British Navy for the invasion and aggression attacks against Argentina for occupation of the Argentina’s Island of the Falklands. In addition, we
ask that your government respect the sovereignty, national independence and territorial integrity of Venezuela; and that your government ceases all collaboration with the US and Colombia against
Venezuela.
We ask that you look into link between the presence of Colombian security base in Sierra Leone and the threat to regional peace, security and stability. This is because, since the presence of Colombian security personnel in Sierra Leone in January, 2009 we have witnessed the brutal murder of President João Bernardo Vieira of Guinea Bissau and his Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Batista Tagme Na Wai and an attempted coup in April to overthrow the Government of President Dadis Camara and take Guinea back to its past failed state. We ask that your government closes down the Colombian security base, its paramilitary unit and all its instrumentalities in Sierra Leone.
We want to make it abundantly clear here that President Hugo Chavez has never claimed an African leader his tool. On the contrary, the Venezuelan leader considers his counterparts in Africa as equal and willing to dwell together in amity and respect. The similarities between President Hugo Chavez and his Comrade and Revolutionary Brother in Guinea, is that both leaders are committed to improving the
living standards of their peoples. They both believe in unit of purpose; peace, good governance, justice, freedom, dignity and happiness of the people. And above all, the two leaders shared a common vision to fight and win the crusade against transnational organized crimes; advocating and fighting for justice and
democratization of the international system, and for a better world. We believe the people of Sierra Leone and Africa in general stand to gain from the wise and role model leadership qualities exhibited by the two Presidents, Hugo Chavez and Moussa Dadis Camara.
By this open letter, we wish to register our strong protest against your government’s hostile behaviors towards Venezuela and smear attacks on the illuminating personality of President Hugo Chavez. We wish to register our protest at your government’s unholy alliance with the comprador government in Colombia, which itself accelerates the covert agenda of destabilization of Venezuela.
We ask that you take concrete step to reverse your government’s proxy, wicked and hate-filled policy towards Venezuela and end the demonizing campaign against the Government of President Dadis Camara. We assure you that with the application of socialism of the 21st century as advocated and practiced by President Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, Sierra Leoneans would once again taste freedom and dignity, and would no longer rated on the bottom list of the United Nations Human Development Index as the poorest and educationally most backward on earth.
Thanks so much for understanding of the concerns of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCI-FPFS).
Sincerely,
Alimamy Bakarr SANKOH
President of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace,
Friendship and Solidarity (HCI-FPFS).