Response to Hobart Mecury article
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A review of your correspondent Greg Barnes erroneous piece (22.01.07 The Mercury) shows it to well illustrate the reasons underlying the "People's Invitation" to President Chavez of Venezuela.
Unlike this shortsighted contribution by Mr Greg Barnes, the Australia Venezuela Solidarity Network has done our homework and proudly stands by both our support for the people of Venezuela and our respectfully worded invitation for the President to visit our country. We can also boast 200 Australians having traveled with us on organized solidarity brigades to Venezuela to see for our own eyes what is unfolding there.
Greg Barnes has belatedly introduced Tasmanian readers to the misinformation campaign against President Chavez and the Bolivarian process he represents. This " mis-information" campaign was intensified in early 2005, in the campaign period prior to the Venezuelan State and Regional elections held in August 2005. Ironically this campaign is itself a testimony to the freedom of speech and liberty of expression which has actually been strengthened since Chavez and the Bolivarians won the Presidential elections in 1998. A number of excellent pieces of research have addressed the three main aspects of this misinformation campaign – those being the media manipulation, the politicisation and presentation of so called human rights abuses, and the attempts to distort the economic and social advances in Venezuela during the period of Bolivarian government, with it's unprecedented emphasis on social missions and reducing poverty.
Suffice to say the misrepresentations of these matters are part of a concerted ideological campaign against the Bolivarian process by it's political opposition who are the former profiteers and wealthy elites in Venezuela.
There is no doubt that the Bolivarian Government is the first government in Venezuela's history to systematically address human rights issues. They inherited a system in which violations of human rights by state officials such as within the justice system (police included) was rife. Yet on repeated occasions, including through structural and constitutional reforms, the Bolivarian's have made it clear that such violations will not be tolerated. ? Investigative journalist and practising attorney Eva Golinger has also documented the intimate links between the human rights organisations claiming to suffer under the current democratically elected government, and their political and bfinancial links to those who organised the violent coup in 2002 to attempt to overthrow the people's government.
And in terms of the media's allegations that their rights are being limited, we actually see in Venezuela today a broader media sector than ever before. Instead of the usual private media monopolies there is now a diverse and flourishing media sector comprising the private interests which previously operated without regulation, and greatly expanded community and public media sectors. What the private sector are bleating about is the introduction of regulatory mechanisms which on examination are eminently reasonable and comparable to those existing in western nations such as our own. For example limiting violence and adult themes or prohibiting them during childrens viewing times. Or demanding truth in reporting or advertising – topics under constant discussion and review in our own society. The private for profit media sector is also expected to pay their taxes, fair wages and working conditions and generally be good corporate citizens – including no longer avoiding taxes and licensing fees as has been past practise – something we also demand in our society. The real fools in the international media circuses rush to perpetuate the mis-information campaign against Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez are those who cannot do their basic research and who end up prolonging the misinformation discussion. Instead they – and we the public – are missing out on quality reporting and discussions of a dynamic and oft times inspiring process. A good news opportunity if ever there was one.
In Venezuela, and the self proclaimed Bolivarian Revolution, we have a modern 21 st Century nation who have announced to the world that they are undergoing a 21st century revolution through peaceful and democratic means. An OPEC nation, which is a heayweight in terms of both regional and hemispheric economic and political terms. A nation whose President has publicly declared his assessment of world politics, and his opposition to US hegemony and warmongering, at the United Nations General Assemblies of 2005 and 2006 and received overwhelming international interest (and support).
Perhaps Greg Barns will have an open enough mind to report on some of the amazing gains of the Venezuelan revolution, domestically, continentally and internationally, which are the inspiration to those of us inviting the President to visit Australia .. As Mr Barnes was one of the vocal critics of the recent Israeli war against Lebanon I would have thought he'd have a more open mind towards the key international supporter of Lebanon, the only country who went so far as to withdraw their Ambassador to Israel, Venezuela. No one is asking for your uncritical support, but an open mind can go a long way Mr Barns.
Familiarity with the Bolivarian process should not be left exclusively to the domains of political scientists, academics and international relations heavyweights – but is something which is of interest to the world at large. As the Venezuelan's proudly proclaim, "Now the oil wealth which once benefited a few, benefits a few million." A nation in which despite the oil wealth facilitating the current transformation from capitalist to socialist economy, the popular debates include need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and to ensure the future of our planet as a pressing responsibility. Health care, Education, Housing, Employment all being transferred to the control of popular people's councils: not a concept which we are familiar with in Australia but one which many of us would like to hear more about.
In issuing our invitation for President Chavez to visit Australia those of us who have been following the Venezuelan political process – some for decades and some more recently - are keen to hear more from the leader of the world's newest, inspiring and unprecedented peaceful democratic revolution.
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