Thread: Chavez Vows to Defend Social 'Revolution'

http://www.heraldsun.com/nationworld/in ... 20478.html

Chavez Vows to Defend Social 'Revolution'

By CHRISTOPHER TOOTHAKER : Associated Press Writer
Jun 24, 2005 : 8:12 pm ET

CARACAS, Venezuela -- President Hugo Chavez told thousands of troops Friday that Venezuelans would defend the nation's social "revolution" with their lives if attacked by a foreign power such as the United States.

Chavez spoke to troops standing at attention while hundreds of demonstrators protested several blocks from the Cuban Embassy in Caracas, burning an effigy of Fidel Castro and saying they rejected Cuba's growing influence in the Venezuelan government.

Dozens of police halted the marchers with barricades one block from the embassy, where the crowd stood chanting "No to communism!" and "Get out, Fidel!"

The demonstration eventually broke up peacefully.

Wearing fatigues and a red beret, Chavez pinned awards on soldiers and announced a pay raise for the troops of between 50-60 percent. He warned that any foreign attackers "would have to face the counteroffensive to throw them off this land, whatever it costs us, no matter how many years it takes, and no matter how much blood is spilled."

"That's how we would face an invasion by the most powerful army in the world," he told the soldiers lined up next to tanks at a military fort.

Chavez has regularly accused the U.S. government of trying to oust him, including in a short-lived 2002 coup. American officials have denied such claims as ridiculous, and the United States remains the No. 1 buyer of Venezuelan oil.

Relations between Caracas and Havana have grown close, with Venezuela selling cheap oil to Cuba and the communist-led island sending thousands of doctors to treat the poor in the South American country.

Friday's protest outside the embassy was organized by the Institutional Military Front, a group headed by ex-military officers opposed to Chavez.

So now, what should we do about this?! I think nothing. Stay out of it. Please let me know what you guys think.

We need to bring our troops home from Iraq ASAP, and let the world know that they do not have to worry about the USA invading their country for oil. I'm sure that is why the Venezuelans are afraid of the USA, thinking we might invade for their oil.

We went to Iraq to oust Sadam (done) and liberate Iraq (done) and establish their democracy with Free Elections (done) and help them complete their constitution (should be done). Ours is only 15 pages including signatures plus our amendments. I could have drawn it for them in a couple of days. So, unless we are "meddling" this should have been finished long ago. The Iraqis can take that from here. I think we've accomplished our military objective there. The Iraqis are well known for their ability to maintain Law and Order, and I am very comfortable that they can manage the insurgents better on their own without such a large US force. I am for a military base in Iraq if the Iraqis would like for us to have one but only if we are welcome. I do not profess to know what other things we are working on there, but I do feel that we have more troops than are needed at this point and they need to start coming home immediately.

This will ease concerns in areas like Venezuela and other countries who may misunderstand Iraq because of the incredibly poor reporting on Iraq by the MSM.

Our Troops should feel Proud with Mission Accomplished. But, the killing will stop as soon as we leave in large numbers because after all....we are the Target of the insurgents.

I think you are right. If I'm not mistaken, President Bush will address the nation from Fort Bragg, N.C. on Tuesday night to tell us why we are staying.

Good to Know. I'll try to watch it. Remind us, ok?