venezuela and the UN security council

[raycarey]

chavez is making a big push to get venezuela on the security council, and it'll be interesting to see if they make it.

While Venezuela is expected to get a majority in secret balloting in the 192-nation U.N. General Assembly, Caracas may not achieve the required two-thirds vote, leaving open the possibility of a compromise candidate.

"This is a real wrestling match. This is a heavy-weight encounter," said Larry Birns, director of the Washington-based Council on Hemispheric Affairs.

"If they vote with their head they're voting against Venezuela because, the United States is certainly going to make this an anti-Venezuela position," he said.

"If they vote with their heart they are basically saying: 'we're tried of being pushing around by Washington and we're just going to go our own way on this,"' Birns said.

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, up for reelection in December, has campaigned hard for the seat in 2007-2008, sending assistance to Latin American countries as well as contributing to food aid in Africa.

Venezuela runs for UN Council seat; U.S. opposed - Yahoo! News

so, do you think venezuela deserves to be on the security council, and in the end, do you think they will be?

IMO there's no reason why venezuela shouldn't be on the UN security council.
however, petro dollars are one thing, but the US has a lot more money and influence to throw around, so my guess is that they won't make it on the open ballot.

[machangezi]

I think the way Venezuela is selflessly contributing to the masses of Africa and Latin America, they sure deserve to be on the security council. But like you mentioned ray I much doubt it cos uncle Sam won't let it happen.

Sad.

[mad_dog]

I personally think Germany and Brazil would be the best additions to the security council.

[raycarey]

^ why?

[Mhz]

May be Mad Dog here likes German Bukkake and Brazilian girls.

[seth106]

Venevuela would be a great addition to the council. I can't see it happening. I remember when Yemen voted against the wishes of the USA in the early 90s and their rep was told that "thats the most expensive vote you have ever cast" (sic). Aid to Yemen was promptly withdrawn. The same country has side stepped the UN when it doesn't agree. It's ambassador's idea of the future of the UN is also highly dubious. The council is a joke dressed up as respectability. With such different agendas having vetos, its hard to make hard decisions and carry them out. During the Rwandan Genocide the council voted to send 5,500 troops. But differences in who should go, who should pay etc it was held up for months and close to a million people died. ditto Darfur, Lebanon and a myriad of others. I have no doubt that in some circles there is a will to do something right but in reality, for the first time in history the League of Nations has something it might look at and feel proud. that is a very dubious honour

[stroller]

I believe Venezuela would be a controversial, but worthwhile addition.
Germany would be a moderate, reliable addition, but basically more of the same ... a rich 1st world nation.

[Little Chuchok]

I think the way Venezuela is selflessly contributing to the masses of Africa and Latin America, they sure deserve to be on the security council. But like you mentioned ray I much doubt it cos uncle Sam won't let it happen.

Sad.

It would be great if he looked after the poor in his own country as well though..

[seth106]

I think the way Venezuela is selflessly contributing to the masses of Africa and Latin America, they sure deserve to be on the security council. But like you mentioned ray I much doubt it cos uncle Sam won't let it happen.

Sad.

It would be great if he looked after the poor in his own country as well though..

Many people believe that he is. This is an extract of an interview he gave to al-jazeera

You have started an ambitious programme to rebuild your military, you are buying new weapons, you are trying to raise, I think, the largest standing army in the Americas. If everything goes to plan, you will have two million reserve troops. What has prompted this military build up?

Let me tell you something. I hardly have time to sleep a few hours a day, but I don't care because I've decided to devote my life to taking my people out of poverty and misery.

To make a great effort for all Venezuelans to have access to education, health, housing, to life. When we were elected, poverty in Venezuela was over 55 per cent based on UN figures, it is now between 30 per cent and 40 per cent.

We are building a system of Bolivarian schools where children can have breakfast, lunch and dinner, gain internet access and take part in sports activities.

I devote a tiny part of my time to being commander-in-chief of the Venezuelan army. The imperialists have threatened to invade Venezuela, they have already conducted a coup d'etat four years ago. Recently they conducted manoeuvres in the Caribbean. We have even captured US soldiers taking pictures of military installations and we have expelled them.

We have much evidence, proof and documents that show there is a plan to invade Venezuela. What do you want us to do? That I forget my task of minimum defence of the country?

We had old rifles, they were 60-years old. We depended almost totally on US supplies. The F16 fighters we bought 20 years ago, they refused to give us spare parts, and they were stranded on the ground. So I have bought better planes and Kalashnikovs from Moscow. We have a vast border with Colombia, we have a huge coastal line along the Caribbean. We have to defend this country. We are not going to be aggressors.

[Little Chuchok]

^ mate, I believe in five eights of fcuk all what any politition says.he's not exactly going to say that close to 30% of his country live in poverty and the top tier are even more filthy rich, now is he?

[raycarey]

mate, I believe in five eights of fcuk all what any politition says.

good policy.

i'd also recommend the same percentage for believing the corporate owned US media about foreign leaders....especially leftists.

[Little Chuchok]

^Yep,them too.

[seth106]

^ mate, I believe in five eights of fcuk all what any politition says.he's not exactly going to say that close to 30% of his country live in poverty and the top tier are even more filthy rich, now is he?

he did back his quote up with non partisan (we hope) information. Check it out mate. A mate of mine is from, and now living there, and she swears by the changes. She reckons it will take another generation to be really seen, as the policies are not quick fixes (like slapping a few quid into poor hands) but from the ground up.

[seth106]

mate, I believe in five eights of fcuk all what any politition says.

good policy.

i'd also recommend the same percentage for believing the corporate owned US media about foreign leaders....especially leftists.

I give you thumbs up for that but hope that this may be a different path. The signs to date have indicated so.

as regards the media, don't get me started. But the media in Venezuela is alowed to be free and fair, i dont know if it is or not but it is mostly owned by opponents of Chavez

[Little Chuchok]

Venezuela is the world's fifth largest oil producer and a member of Opec, supplying 15% of US oil imports.

With that much money comming in, he could do a shite load more.

[mad_dog]

If Venezula is really able stand up to the tyranny of the Yankeee why do they still sell the majority of their oil to the Great Satan?

[seth106]

just out of interest. Are the last 2 posters american perchance?

just out of curiousity

[Little Chuchok]

^ nope MD is a pom and I am a kiwi.

Not on anybodies side . just because chavez hates bush, is no reason to love the guy.His country has more human rights violations than a bear has hairs.It's corrupt as hell too.He might be doing a bit, but he could do a shite load more.

[seth106]

not 100% in agreement, but point respectfully taken

[mad_dog]

not 100% in agreement, but point respectfully taken

I actually think the American's are the Great Satan... I wasn't joking. However I take a cold detatched look at all politics and try not to by into anyones bullshit.

[keda]

I think the way Venezuela is selflessly contributing to the masses of Africa and Latin America, they sure deserve to be on the security council. But like you mentioned ray I much doubt it cos uncle Sam won't let it happen.

Sad.

You make it sound as though Vanezuela thoroughly deserves the place on UNSC because of its good works in feeding the poor Afro-Latino masses, but that nasty Uncle Sam doesn't want altruists on the Council, right?

Despicable!

[Storekeeper]

Aid to Yemen was promptly withdrawn.

As it should be.

Nothing like a country with one hand out for aid and using the other to stab you in the back.

[barbaro]

Guatemala is competing for this seat, too.

As for Venezuela, Mr. Chavez will have a very tight election coming up in December. (OK, slightly off topic of the UN, but worth noting.)

[Mhz]

^ nope MD is a pom and I am a kiwi.

Not on anybodies side . just because chavez hates bush, is no reason to love the guy.His country has more human rights violations than a bear has hairs.It's corrupt as hell too.He might be doing a bit, but he could do a shite load more.

what about the Saudi fokwits??

Does the government of Venezuela chops a thiefs hand for steeling something??

Or are there public beheadings for pity crimes??

Yet we see Americans happily dealing and supporting Saudis.

[raycarey]

Aid to Yemen was promptly withdrawn.

As it should be.
Nothing like a country with one hand out for aid and using the other to stab you in the back.

i assume you're referring to the attack on the cole...