S.Vincent and Grenadines President Denounces Foreign Plot.

[Joe Chi Minh]

http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=216831&Itemid=1

Does it ever stop?

[Peace Patriot]

1. Dave Copps and Blake Burns of Dallas, Texas, are the Americans involved--for anyone keeping a list

of possible USAID/CIA or other U.S. destabilization/overthrow operatives in Latin America. The reason for this is that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a member of the ALBA trade group, which includes several Caribbean/Central American countries (Nicaragua, Antigua and Barbudo, Dominica, Cuba), Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia, formed to give small countries some collective clout in dealing with U.S. "free trade for the rich" and attendant U.S. bully tactics. Honduras' membership in ALBA is likely one of the main reasons for the U.S.-facilitated rightwing coup d'etat last year. It appears that the U.S. strategy is to pick off these smaller Venezuela allies one at a time, before a major push to destabilize/overthrow Venezuela's government (by stealth and/or by war). No matter who is in charge of the details in the U.S. government--Democrats or Pukes--the policy of our true rulers--U.S. based and other multinational corporations and war profiteers--is to smash the leftist democracy movement that has swept Latin America and reconquer the region, re-install rightwing/fascist governments and regain past ground for resource and labor exploitation. There is really no other conclusion possible, after Honduras.

----

Kingston, Aug 32 (Prensa Latina) In an open letter to the international community, the President of S. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, denounced on Tuesday the destabilizing attempts of British and US elements against his government.

He said that the most dishonest and anti-national chapter of this defamatory campaign is led by two US people along with the New Democratic Party with a view to the forthcoming elections, the eighth since independence.

He identified Dave Copps and Blake Burris, co-founders of Co-Habitat, based in Dallas, Texas. This organization is running a campaign under the slogan 'Save democracy for just five dollars', referring to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

(MORE)

http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=216831&Itemid=1

[Joe Chi Minh]

3. Just read a hilarious little snippet in the paper, in which a former CIA

operative told a German magazine: "Probably the only incorrupt people in Afghanistan are the Taliban. If you want no corruption, give the government back to the Taliban."

[Judi Lynn]

2. Incredible! Truly, these monsters AREN'T going to stop. Other countries must learn self-defense,

apparently, and throw their energy into building better unity.

Can't believe they are so brazen about it, but it appears they believe no one is big enough to do anything about them, anyway, so why not go for it!

From your article:

"If in the USA foreigners cannot finance political campaigns, why do these people think they can finance ours? Our sovereignty does not count? This is not an exercise of an opposition party that hires two foreigners to mount a political campaign", expressed Goncalves.

The dignitary added that he was surprised to learn that this same work is carried out in other Caribbean nations, which should be very disturbing for other countries in the region.

President Gonsalves called for solidarity in the region. Solidarity, progress and resistance are the watchwords, he said.

"The foreigners, who came to control us, divide us, to instill in our consciousness backward ideas are opposed to civilization and we must firmly resist", he added.

Gonsalves attached to the letter, already sent to the heads of government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), addresses of websites that will allow them to know the wickedness of these foreigners against his country, ended the open letter of the president of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Thanks for posting this information.

We definitely need to know, because it's our right, as human beings. They are also using our tax dollars to sponsor their raw, undiluted, murderous agression and disrespect for human life in the Americas.

[bherrera]

4. Not exactly big news

This is a country with a population of 100.000 people. Famous for its volcano, Soufriere. I don't see much importance in this item, which is a small propaganda piece from a Cuban source. There are more important things in this world to discuss.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[naaman fletcher]

6. two questions:

"A couple of seditious Americans tyrranizing a small chain of islands"

I didn't see that anywhere in the article. I saw a politician complaining about two americans, but politicians complain about all their opponents so I don't necessarily accept the accusation as true, nor do I leap to "A couple of seditious Americans tyrranizing a small chain of islands". Do you have more info that you could share?


RE: Grenada: I do not think American troops should have been there, but what were Cuban troops doing there? Is imperialism OK so long as it is an opponent of the US doing it?

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Joe Chi Minh]

8. Who would care a jot what you "necessarily accept" or not? I don't think people will

be anxious to obtain your approval, before accepting obvious facts.

[naaman fletcher]

10. so are you going to answer my first question? nt.

[Joe Chi Minh]

12. And not even going to look to see what it was. You're not up to it. Period.

[naaman fletcher]

11. What obvious fact?

I asked you for more information, and your repeat that it is an obvious fact. If its so obvious, you should be able to back it up.

[Joe Chi Minh]

13. What's the point in trying to put you right. when you're English comprehension is

so sketchy. Go and find a board in your native language.

[naaman fletcher]

15. your inability to engage in debate with personal insults is quite

open for all to see and does not speak well to your political positions.

[Judi Lynn]

17. Badgering well respected DU'ers here is itself a gross, unsuitable pursuit.

DU'ers who come here do so to read and exchange information with each other, to pool our resources and communicate.

You shouldn't have to have it spelled out for you.

[naaman fletcher]

19. Yes, so maybe he should stop it. nt

[Judi Lynn]

16. Here's material on Grenada I know you know already, but it's good to refresh insufficient memories!

Today I expected to respond to one of your comments from yesterday but someone had it removed. I do remember you said yesterday they were invited, which is absolutely correct. It follows a very familiar pattern in the Caribbean which continues to this day, turning to Cuba for help in dealing with situations beyond the reach of resources available to them alone.

(One of DU's posters was living there when this happened, and has written interesting posts on her and her friends' view of that pathetic situation. I'm certain she said one of her friends was killed.)

~~~~~

GRENADA:

HOW WE CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THE HOAXES OF OUR MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT

(1) After a new reformist government begins to feed and educate the huddled masses, Carter and Reagan begin a series of lies designed to conjure up an "International Communist Conspiracy".

(2) Pretexts are devised for invading this tiny threat to our very survival, and given "Page One!" treatment.

(3) After the carnage, conducted under extreme censorship, the lies continue.

(4) Long after everyone has stopped paying attention to Grenada, the truth is given "Page 23-C" treatment, and the huddled masses are given back the shaft.

The gory details �

In 1979, with popular acclaim, The New Jewel Movement (NJM) under London-educated lawyer Maurice Bishop ousts the increasingly repressive regime of Eric Gairy, who takes exile in the United States. Bishop leaves private enterprise undisturbed, but institutes programs creating or increasing jobs, schools, teacher training, adult literacy, social services, clean water, free health care, free milk for young children, agricultural cooperatives, and the like. "Government objectives are centered on the critical development issues and touch on the country�s most promising development areas." � World Bank, 1980

After less than a month of this, the US government (under Carter) adopts an adversarial attitude, warning Grenada not to trade with Cuba, bugging the Grenadan UN Mission, spreading travel-scare rumors to discourage economically-vital tourism to the island�s sunny beaches, etc. Bishop is well aware of the CIA�s history of destabilization movements, and the US support for Gairy. In June, 1980, a bombing at an outdoor rally, apparently designed to remove the entire NJM leadership with one blow, instead takes the lives of three young women. Carter�s lies are designed to weaken the Grenada economy. Under Reagan, the lies to the American people take an even darker turn:

Hoax #1: The US media give wide currency to government reports that a Soviet submarine base is being constructed on the south coast of Grenada.

But: In 1983 Ed Post, a correspondent for the Washington Post, finally visits the supposed site and points out that no submarine base could possibly be built in an area where the sea was so shallow (characteristically, the Washington Post did not carry his story).

Hoax #2: In February 1983, the US Defense Department announces that the Soviet Union has shipped to Grenada assault helicopters, hydrofoil torpedo boats, and supersonic MIG fighters which gave Grenada an air force of 200 modern planes.� Washington Post, 2/27/83.

But: None of this mighty armada has ever been found.

Hoax #3: In March 1983, Reagan tells an American television audience that the new airport being built in Grenada is intended as a military facility for the Russians and Cubans. It would have a 10,000-foot runway, Reagan warned, although "Grenada doesn�t even have an air force . Who is it intended for? � The rapid build-up of Grenada�s military potential is unrelated to any conceivable threat. � The Soviet-Cuban militarization of Grenada � can only be seen as a power projection into the region." He also displays aerial photos of the construction site as if to imply something hidden and furtive in the operation. � New York Times, 3/26/83.

But: The site is open to the public (no need for spy photos) since the airfield is meant to foster tourism (the island�s only growth industry). Along with several new tourist hotels, the building of the airfield has been encouraged by the World Bank. The excavation is being done by a Florida company and the communications work is being done by British multinational corporation Plessey. Plessey states that "he airport � was being built to civilian specifications" and lists a number of technical characteristics of a military airport/base which the new airport would not have. The airport is being funded by nations including Canada, Mexico, and Venezuela. As for the length of the runway, at least five other Caribbean tourist islands such as Barbados have similar-sized or larger airfields yet do not possess air forces.

Life under the NJM, and more hoaxes �

Despite being under virtual siege from abroad, the NJM moves towards real democracy (as opposed to formal US-style, democracy): numerous mass organizations and decentralized structures receive and seriously consider input from large numbers of citizens, people are expected to become involved in many meetings for decision making (with some resentment, apparently not widespread): "There are those (some of them our friends) who believe that you cannot have a democracy unless there is a situation where every five years, and for five seconds in those five years, a people are allowed to put an �X� next to some candidate�s name, and for those five seconds in those five years they become democrats, and for the remainder of the time, four years and 364 days, they return to being non-people without the right to say anything to their government, without any right to be involved in running the country." � Maurice Bishop

Nevertheless, Bishop has not scheduled elections, and has not taken significant steps to build up a military defense against a feared US attack, and on 10/12/83 he is expelled from the ruling party, placed under house arrest, and murdered on 10/19.

Hoax #4: The US reports that it has been requested to invade Grenada by an urgent plea on 10/21 from the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (excluding Grenada), together with Barbados and Jamaica, who are said to fear some form of aggressive act by the new government of Grenada.

More:
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~lormand/poli/soa/grenada.htm

[naaman fletcher]

18. good stuff

-thanks

[Downwinder]

9. Now where is that fleet, and why are they there? 64 warships? n/t

[Judi Lynn]

14. The last sentence of this article is food for thought, for sure!

SPECIALREPORTS | Sunday 29 August 2010
Colombia-Venezuela, On the Path of Understanding
By Waldo Mendiluza

~snip~
Another, slightly more complex unknown is related to Santos himself and his genuine desire or not to eliminate the conflict, closely related to the discomfort represented to the Colombian and international oligarchy by the socialist path taken by Chávez and the revolution begun in 1999.

In fact, some say that Santos broke with Uribe's hard line solely out of economic interests reluctant to continue losing the $6 billion lost in Venezuelan trade in 2008.

If that weren't enough, there is also the threat of U.S. military bases in Colombia.

On their own, they are a serious danger, not to mention what they signify when combined with the U.S. bases in Panama and the Netherlands Antilles, its military deployment in Costa Rica, and the 4th Fleet.

The U.S. bases in Colombia are a real threat, and only a cynical, ignorant or naive person would not see it like that, Chavez warned, while insisting on discussing the issue in private.

Questions and concerns aside, what is certain is that the restoration of bilateral relations is welcome, as are the steps being taken to consolidate them.

Beyond political tendencies, the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean must remain united to be able to navigate the turbulent waters created by the consolidation in 2011 of a bloc without the United States.

http://www.insidecostarica.com/special_reports/2010/2010-08/colombia_venezuela.htm

~~~~~
Road to freedom
SHELLEY WALIA

~snip~
In his recent Amnesty International Lecture at Belfast, Chomsky reverted to Latin American politics: “On a brighter note, South America is moving towards integration and authentic independence for the first time since the arrival of the European explorers. One consequence is that the U.S. has been expelled from its military bases, most recently from the Manta base in Ecuador. But Washington is reacting. It has recently arranged to use seven new military bases in Colombia, as well as two naval bases in Panama, and presumably intends to maintain the Palmerola base in Honduras, which played a central role in Reagan's terrorist wars. The U.S. Fourth Fleet, which was disbanded in 1950, was reactivated in 2008, shortly after Colombia's invasion of Ecuador. Its responsibility covers the Caribbean, Central and South America, and the surrounding waters. The reactivation of the Fleet understandably elicited protest and concern from the governments of Brazil, Venezuela, and others.”

http://www.frontline.in/stories/20100910271807200.htm

~~~~~
Can't find a syllable on where the activity is for the 4th Fleet currently.

They have been conducting "excercises" in the Caribbean, and I'm certain I saw there were US ships ALSO conducting "exercises" on the Pacific side of Panama this summer. Very clear this is simply a show of power.