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TechnoratiOAS Chief to US Congress: No Venezuela-Terrorist Link
WASHINGTON - There is no evidence linking Venezuela to terrorist groups, the head of the Organization of American States told US lawmakers looking into last month's Colombia-Ecuador border crisis.
"You mean does Venezuela support terrorist groups? I don't think so," OAS chief Jose Miguel Insulza said Thursday during a heated exchange with Florida Representative Connie Mack, who asked if Caracas backed Colombia's FARC rebels that the US and Europe have labeled a terrorist group.
"There is no evidence, and no member country, including this one (United States) has offered the OAS such proof," Insulza added.
The House of Representatives Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere held a hearing on last month's week-long row between Bogota and Quito over Colombia's March 1 military raid on a FARC rebel camp inside Ecuador. Venezuela took Ecuador's side in the crisis.
Bogota claimed that computer files retrieved from the rebel camp showed Venezuela supported FARC's long and bloody struggle to topple the Colombian government, triggering accusations from some US politicians.
Mack and other US lawmakers contend that Venezuela should be added to the US State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism for its alleged support of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
Venezuela has denied any link to FARC, but President Hugo Chavez has been openly sympathetic to the rebel cause and insists FARC be given "belligerant status" and not considered a terrorist group.
Indiana Representative Dan Burton questioned Ecuador's efforts at preventing Colombian rebels from entering its territory, but Insulza came to Quito's defense: "It's not so simple as saying, 'go get rid of them.'"
He explained that due to the rugged remoteness of the jungle terrain in the border area, any anti-guerrilla operation would be very costly, adding: "I'm not so sure it would be possible anyway without destroying a great swath of jungle."
Insulza also defended the OAS from lawmakers' criticism it was ineffectual in the crisis.
"The OAS is no more than what its member countries want it to be," he said, paraphrazing the first OAS secratary general, Alberto Lleras Camargo.
Outside the chamber, speaking to reporters, Insulza criticized US lawmakers for "not knowing the organization's (OAS) goals."
"As with all other international organizations, they want it to do more than it can."
© 2008 Agence France Presse
14 Comments so far
Show AllConnie Mack? His Dad used to trade the Phiily A's players as soon as they were good enough to demand a real salary. They did name a ball park after him, though.
Back to the article, Venezuela has oil and a socialist leader who isn't afraid to support other leftists or talk back to the Gringoes. Axis of evil time, baby.
What a treat. Dan Burton and Connie Mack--probably the two biggest boneheads in the House--offering advice on counter-terrorism. Why don't they advise Petraeus?
By the way, I live in Connie Mack's overwhelmingly Republican district, and even among Republicans, he's not very popular. He's being challenged by a state senator in the next election; a moderate Republican who's running as an independent.
racom40:
I rog that and hasten to add that Senor Insulza should watch his back VERY CAREFULLY from now on. He aired (rightfully so) some dirty Bush regime laundy which will piss off the microcephalic Bush and his Repug Thugs no end.
Thank God for the OAS and it's chief Jose Miguel Insulza. We can only hope they can stem the empire designs of the US. They had better watch their backs though, they are not up against an honorable group. Our repuglican representatives are a disgrace to our country, they make me ashamed of what our country has become.
What, no discussion of Luis Posada-Carilles, the terrorist wanted by Venezuela and harbored by the United States?
Remember when Bush said that if you harbor a terrorist it's just the same as being a terrorist? How come that doesn't apply to the U.S.
What is totally ridiculous is the US cries and screams whenever there's even a hint of anyone messing in their affairs (think Iran in Iraq, Chavez in Colombia), yet the US has no problem at all arming, training and financing groups that are working to destabilize non US allies (think MEK in Iran)... And we're supposed to take these people seriously? The Hypocrisy is staggering.
The US as the portrait of Dorian Gray : BRILLIANT!
When I read something like this, I am reminded of Oscar Wilde's Dorian Grey.
Though Dorian always appeared handsome, charming and attractive, his lies, thuggeries, murders, rapes, etc. would erupt on the face of his portrait :a portrait hidden from all but himself.
Horribly, the corruption of the US's political, economic and media elite doesn't emerge on thier collective hidden portrait. Instead, this elite poors its cesspool into the hollowness that is at the center of each of our souls and at the center of this nation's common culture.
The leading terrorist group in the world, [the US government] sit's in judgement of who is, and who isn't a terrorist. The absurdity border's on humor, but no, it's the opposite of funny.
Our leaders are gangster's, in control of weapon's that can destroy the world. Karma should have kicked in about 40 years ago. If you can get away with doing 9/11, then I guess you can get away with anything!
$300 Million from Chavez to FARC a Fake
http://www.gregpalast.com/300-million-from-chavez-to-farc-a-fake/
Since when did someone telling them (the admin)stop them from a preemptive strike in a country to fight "terrorism.
They make it up as they go...regardless of intel telling them there is no reason to do so.
"There is no evidence, and no member country, including this one (United States) has offered the OAS such proof," Insulza added.
...and like with the UN vis-a-vis Iraq (need I mention Scott Ritter?) the US Misadministration will ignore and undermine such conclusions. Ready for another stint as shill, Mr. Powell?
There were times when the OAS said exactly what Washington wanted them to say. Things have changed!
Outside the chamber, speaking to reporters, Insulza criticized US lawmakers for "not knowing the organization's (OAS) goals."
"As with all other international organizations, they want it to do more than it can."
Sorry, Senior Insulza, the US knows perfectly well the OAS goals, or at least what they ought to be: Latin America and the Caribbean members should click their heels and goose-step to Washington's orders! The US intitiated the creation of the OAS to protect and advance its interests in the Western Hemisphere. What US leaders didn't understand then - and still don't get now - is that people in Latin America have integrity, value democracy, and are quite capable of taking positions independent of Washington. This, of course, is why the US has overthrown, invaded, and occupied its hemispheric neighbors over and over. When the United States cannot further its interests through regional "cooperation," it has never hesitated to take out a few of its "troublesome" neighbors on its own.