Since the start of the uprisings in the Arab world, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has been worried. The Venezuelan caudillo has two main allies in the Middle East: the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who is facing a revolt against his regime, and the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is also facing anti-government protests. Chavez sees these two leaders as representatives of Revolutionary movements, as he also regards himself. The only thing these three revolutions (Chavez's Bolivarian Revolution, Gaddafi's Nasser-inspired Revolution and the Iranian Revolution) have in common is their fight against "Imperialism" -- and retaining their power. Chavez is therefore following attentively the escalation in Libya and the rallies by the opposition in Iran.
To save his friend Gaddafi, Chavez is now trying to suggest an international peace mission for Libya. He did not specify what this mission should do, but he wants to prevent the West from choosing the military option, as this would certainly mean the end of Gaddafi's dictatorship. The Venezuelan president would instead like to give more time to Gaddafi, so that he could conquer back the cities taken by the demonstrators, and as Ghaddafi seems to be trying to do.
In the meantime, Chavez also took care to have a telephone conversation with Ahmadinejad, in the midst of his crackdown on the Iranian opposition. The two leaders talked about international issues and of the need to create a strong alliance against "Imperialism and Colonialist powers." Even though Iran did not have a good relationship with Libya, Chavez asserted that foreign powers should not be allowed to interfere politically or militarily in Libya.
From the press:
- Chavez proposes international peace mission for Libya
- Chavez: "I'm sure the U.S. is exaggerating and distorting things to justify an invasion of Libya"
- Chavez suggests talks for Libya
- Chavez: 'US after Libyan oil'
- Ahmadinejad and Chavez held a phone conversation on international issues
- Tehran and Caracas forge an alliance against imperialist and colonialist powers
- US Department of State to monitor energy agreements between Venezuela and Iran
- Venezuela FM: Information on Libya from "imperial news agencies" is biased
- Venezuela's Ambassador to Libya: The situation is "completely calm"
- Chavez: "Long live Libya and its independence! Gaddafi is facing a civil war!"
- Opposition MP: "We, Venezuelans, are ashamed that the only countries justifying the events in Libya are Nicaragua, Cuba and Venezuela"
March 1, 2011
Chavez proposes international peace mission for Libya
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez proposed an international peace mission for Libya with the participation of all countries in the world wanting a peaceful solution to the political conflict in that country.
To advocate the solution of the situation in Libya, "without using weapons or invading" the Arab country,…Chavez said it was better to seek "a political solution." "Instead of sending weapons against the Libyan people, why don't we send a mission that pleads for a peaceful solution to the conflict?".
President Chavez emphasized that there is a lot of misinformation about the political situation in Libya, as well as elements that reflect a pre-war scenario, fueled by the invasion plans that are woven from the U.S. Empire.
Chavez: "I'm sure the U.S. is exaggerating and distorting things to justify an invasion of Libya"
He added that a "network of lies" has been set up by various international information companies, whose danger lies not only on a civil war but on an invasion by the United States, "which would be a catastrophe." "I'm sure the U.S. is exaggerating and distorting things to justify an invasion of Libya….They are crazy about the Libyan oil," he stressed.
"The U.S. has already said it is ready to invade Libya and most of Europe is condemning Libya….They are rubbing their hands over the oil…. I wonder why don't they condemn Israel that has caused so many deaths to the Palestinian people? Who condemns the U.S. for one million deaths in Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq?" he asked.
In this regard, he said the Venezuelan government has tried to stay "in the line of prudence," and reiterated that, as a democratic president, he urges the international community to "act politically, with all respect and not fall in the drums of war."
President Chavez noted that his goal is "to plead for peace without weapons, explosions, or protest." This will be a sign of preparation for "real peace" not only in Libya but throughout the Middle East.
Agencia Venezolana de Noticias (Venezuela)
March 1, 2011
Chavez suggests talks for Libya
Hugo Chavez, Venezuela's president, has called for an international mediation effort to seek a peaceful solution to the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi, the embattled Libyan leader. Chavez's call came….as the US and other Western governments discussed military options to put an end to the violence against anti-Gaddafi protesters, who are pushing for his ouster.
Options on the table include possible imposition of a no-fly zone to protect civilians. The US Defense department also said….that it was moving naval and air forces into position near Libya. Chavez said that he had already discussed the idea with some Latin American nations as well as some European countries.
"I hope we can create a commission that goes to Libya to talk with the government and the opposition leaders," he said in a live television speech. "We want a peaceful solution... We support peace in the Arab world and in the whole world." Without giving further details of the proposed mediation mission, Chavez said it was better to seek "a political solution instead of sending marines to Libya, and better to send a good will mission than for the killing to continue."
Chavez: "US after Libyan oil"
Chavez repeated his warning that the US [wants] to invade Libya to get oil, a view that has been voiced by both Cuba and Nicaragua. "He is worried that the United States is after the Libyan oil, just like they were after the Iraqi oil. He says that they have gone mad because of the Libyan oil; it's driving them crazy," [the Al Jazeera correspondent in Caracas] said. "He also wondered why the world does not condemn the massacres in Falluja, in Afghanistan and in Pakistan."
Al-Jazeera (Qatar)
February 28, 2011
Ahmadinejad and Chavez held a phone conversation on international issues
[Iranian] President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez held a telephone conversation on Sunday [February 27, 2011] to exchange views on the most important international issues.
Ahmadinejad said that Iran and Venezuela should strengthen their interactions and cooperation and keep a close eye on the imperialist powers' plots.
The two countries should also make efforts to direct international developments in a way that will benefit nations, he said. "Iran and Venezuela share common views on international issues and have always stood by each other, and will defend the rights of nations," he added.
The Venezuelan president said that Tehran and Caracas have common positions on regional and international issues.
Undoubtedly, further consultations between the two countries would be effective in "managing ongoing developments," Chavez said. He also called for the enhancement of ties between Iran and Venezuela, saying this relationship would be beneficial to both nations
Tehran Times (Iran)
February 27, 2011
Tehran and Caracas forged an alliance against imperialist and colonialist powers
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chavez. in a phone conversation conferred about the latest regional and international developments, and stressed the necessity for the two states to keep vigilant and increase their bilateral consultations.
"The two countries should make efforts to strengthen their interactions and coordination and keep vigilant against the conspiracies hatched by the imperialism so that these developments are channeled in the interests of regional nations," Ahmadinejad said.
Since taking office in 2005, the Iranian President has expanded Iran's cooperation with many Latin American states, including Venezuela, Bolivia and Cuba. But the strong and rapidly growing ties between Iran and Venezuela have raised eyebrows in the US and its western allies since Tehran and Caracas have forged an alliance against the imperialist and colonialist powers and are striving hard to reinvigorate their relations with the other independent countries which pursue a line of policy independent from the US.
US Department of State to monitor energy agreements between Venezuela and Iran
The US Department of State has announced that it would closely monitor the recent energy agreements between Venezuela and Iran. The US State Department's announcement came after Chavez, on a visit to Iran, signed a number of agreements focused on energy cooperation with Ahmadinejad.
Among the agreements signed were pacts for the formation of a joint oil shipping company and joint construction of petrochemical plants, as well as Venezuela's participation in the exploitation of Iran's South Pars gas field.
Under the shipping agreement, PDV Marina, Petroleos de Venezuela SA's shipping subsidiary, and Iran's IRISL Group, plan to create a maritime oil transport firm that will enable Caracas to sell more than 500,000 bbl of crude in Europe and Asia.
The two sides also reaffirmed an earlier agreement to build a refinery in Syria, Iran's main ally in the region. An agreement to build the refinery was first signed in 2007 with Iran, Venezuela, and Malaysia as partners.
Fars News Agency (Iran)
February 25, 2011
Venezuela FM: Information on Libya from "imperial news agencies" is biased
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolás Maduro explained on February 24 Venezuela's position on Libyan events. He said at the National Assembly (AN) in Caracas that there were "armed groups" linked to terrorist group Al-Qaeda and other "strange" movements attacking military barracks. Maduro added that "there are civil war actions."
Venezuela's top diplomat said that the secession's scenario is currently present in Libya and there are some parties interested to take control of Libyan oil and opposed to the revolution headed by Muammar Gaddafi. […]
According to Maduro, information from "imperial news agencies" is biased. The Venezuelan minister added that these news media lie about Libya's real situation. He compared the turmoil in the Arab country with the events of April 11, 2002 in Venezuela.
Venezuela's Ambassador to Libya: The situation is "completely calm"
Members of Venezuelan opposition asked the Minister to request that Gaddafi return a replica of the sword of Venezuelan Liberator Simón Bolívar. Maduro only said that the spirit of Bolívar "is running free" throughout the world. Earlier on February 24, Venezuela's Ambassador to Libya, Afif Tajeldine, said that the situation is "completely calm" in Tripoli, the capital of Libya. […]
Chavez: "Long live Libya and its independence! Gaddafi is facing a civil war!"
In a message posted on Thursday [February 24, 2011] evening on his Twitter account, Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez voiced his support to Libya and said that Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi was facing a civil war.
"Let's go, Foreign Minister Nicolas (Maduro), give another lesson to the far-right Yankee supporters! Long live Libya and its independence! Gaddafi is facing a civil war!" Chavez wrote at the end of a session at the National Assembly [AN].
Opposition MP: "We, Venezuelans, are ashamed that the only countries justifying the events in Libya are Nicaragua, Cuba and Venezuela"
Venezuelan MP from the opposition, María Corina Machado, said that the government is "making big efforts in the last few days to clean up its image but its real intentions are clear when a situation such as that of Libya arises," and it has to take a stand.
She said that the world has reacted against the actions taken by the government of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Meanwhile, Venezuela expressed its solidarity, she added.
"Even Russia immediately condemned the genocide that is taking place in Libya. We, Venezuelans, are ashamed that the only countries justifying the events in Libya are Nicaragua, Cuba and Venezuela," said the opposition lawmaker.
El Universal (Venezuela)
