An e-conversation about Venezuela
By Aleksander Boyd
London (04.12.03) – The following is an exchange of emails between a Vcrisis reader and me, I thought it was interesting. The messages are ordered descending (chronologically). I have taken the liberty of publishing the names owing to the obvious use of aliases.
Subject: Feedback for vcrisis
From: xxx
To: Aleksander Boyd
Date: 01/12/2003 22:29
Rosamond Fogg wrote:
>Are you a CIA-run organization? Is ChoicePoint gathering data for the recall effort?
From: Aleksander Boyd
To: xxx
Date: 03/12/2003 00:03
Subject: Re: Feedback for vcrisis
We are a CIA run organization, my name is George W Bush...
Subject: Re: Feedback for vcrisis
From: xxx
To: Aleksander Boyd
Date: 03/12/2003 17:53
Sandy Claws wrote:
Dear Mr. Boyd:
>Very funny. Yes, I know we're supposed to only focus on Iraq, Iraq, Iraq and forget about the man behind the curtain (Otto Reich) who is busily dismantling Venezuela government. After all, we can't have Chavez in OPEC now can we...
>Hopefully the next time [you?] appear to succeed in the attempt to overthrow Venezuela's government, [you] will advise Condi et al to not prematurely announce the USG's support of the "democratic" coup... that was a tad obvious, nez pas?
From: Aleksander Boyd
To: xxx
Date: 03/12/2003 19:41
Subject: Re: Feedback for vcrisis
Dear Ms Claws,
Thanks very much for your response, I shall try to make myself sufficiently clear so that you can understand my position.
You state that Otto Reich is "the man behind the curtain and is busily dismantling the government of Venezuela" Believe me when I tell you that I despise the American tactics as much as I despise Castro's or Chavez' or any other which encroach upon the rights of people. The Bolivarian Constitution -drafted by Hugo Chavez himself- is indeed a very progressive piece of legislation. The problem is that it has been used when it serves Chavez, as a matter of fact Hugo Chavez has made use of referenda in the past 5 times, but now when the tide is against him he is very much intent in boycotting the effort. Why? Assuming that he commands such an enormous popular support, why the fear?
"Busily dismantling Venezuela..." Are you aware of the oil deals that have been forged between Republicans and the Venezuelan government not far from where you have sent me the initial message? Perhaps you have in effect missed the constant presence of Mr Jack Kemp in Venezuela's embassy in Washington. The truth is that such behaviour is despicable, revolting. To raise the voice and accuse the American admin when in fact an energy commission has been permanently assigned to maintain the best of relationship between the two governments, ergo how would you describe that?
As long as Venezuelan oil continues to flow uninterruptedly to the US no Otto Reich is going to dismantle anything. As for not having Chavez in the OPEC, do not sin of short-sightedness. The Arabs do not want him there, the Russians, Mexicans and Norwegians are having a bash in honour of Chavez' stupidity.
To this day no one really knows for sure what happened last April and although I will not deny the in promptu statements of the US and the UK for example, one thing is certain 20 people got killed and more than 100 were injured. On that account the Creole pariah will have to face justice in the ICC for his involvement. That the CIA was involved? I do not know but if they did they showed extreme inefficiency, mind you, they can remove governments at the click of the fingers can't they? I won't disaffirm that what took place was one of the most disastrous chapters of our contemporary history and most certainly the country is paying the consequences. Undoubtedly Pedro Carmona and the rest should be thrown in prison, together with Chavez and his dangerous sycophants.
I really want to overthrow Chavez, democratically though. I do not agree with nor support coups, assassinations attempts, violence or any illegal methods. All we want is to vote him out, simple. Such a simple fact yet so difficult for you people to understand. Your preconceived ideas of good guy/bad guy, revolutionary v corrupt status quos, white v mestizos, socialism against capitalism and so on and so forth fell short in grasping our crisis. I went back to my country in September this year, I marched with opposition people and with chavistas, I spoke to leaders from both sides, the conclusion is that never before in my life I felt so much hatred between the two sides of the political spectrum. I belong to neither of them, on the contrary I advocate for democracy, social inclusion, transparency in the running of the state, rule of law, respect for human rights and above all else justice. None of that is achievable under Chavez, and surely if the future brings another such imbecile to the presidency I shall be as vocal towards him as I am now against Chavez.
On the other hand I do not fancy the idea of having an illiterate, convicted criminal, anti-nationalist, amoral and corrupt leader running my country until 2021, pretty much the same way you should not stand George W Bush. When looking for responsibles to our social and political situation look no further than Cuba. What's that about free oil to Cuba? Talking about nationalism... any explanations for that?
I look forward to your response.
Subject: Re: Feedback for vcrisis
From: xxx
To: Aleksander Boyd
Date: 07:50
Sandy Claws wrote:
Thank you very much for taking the time to write such a detailed reply. I very much appreciate that, and you've given me a lot to think about.
Still, I worry when you write "I really want to overthrow Chavez, democratically though. I do not agree nor support coups, assassinations attempts, violence or any illegal methods." because I feel you are playing into the hands of people who have a very different agenda for SA than what you envision for your country.
I hope that is not the case but it remains a concern.
From: Aleksander Boyd
To: xxx
Date: 10:31
Subject: Re: Feedback for vcrisis
BTW I am not playing into anyone hands; that is another fit-all-SA-crises magic formula, which I have heard already. Allow me to cite an episode in London's Speaker's Corner:
>Another interesting argument is that the opposition is composed of right
wing extremist and coup mongers willing to re-install the old Status Quo. In
a very interesting exchange of ideas one of the speakers asked me three questions
that represent for the majority of the people the magic formula for understanding
the Venezuelan problem:
1) Were you in favour of the "media" coup of last April to oust Chavez?
2) Are you in favour of a military coup at this moment?
3) Are you in favour of the privatization of PDVSA?
>Had I replied yes to any of the above he would have recited the whole repertoire of his socialist humbug. Unexpectedly -for him- I replied no to all questions. His arguments vanished right there and then. The only comment he could come up with was, "well my friend, you seem to have very good intentions and have been deceived by the opposition groups of Venezuela". Out with the Venezuelan subject in his speech in with a ferocious attack towards Bush-Blair, war in Iraq, etc.
Don't be so naive, you would not accept the whimsical conducts of a Chavez-like leader, why should we?? And please elaborate a bit more about the damaging relationship between Chavez and Castro...
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