Monthly Archives: October 2010

Oct
28
2010
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VenEconomy: A Path of Nuclear Thorns

Chavez Nuclear Reactor 1 VenEconomy: A Path of Nuclear ThornsThis article was originally posted by The Latin American Herald Tribune

Little is known about most of the 69 agreements that Chávez signed in Russia, Belarus, the Ukraine, Iran, Syria, Libya, Algeria, and Portugal; and from what is know it can be concluded that they have at least three things in common: they were not debated or subject to consultation in the country and they were poorly advised; they were not authorized by the National Assembly and, therefore, are legally invalid; and they will have a mammoth cost without offering significant solutions to the serious problems facing Venezuelans.

One of these bizarre agreements is for the construction of a nuclear reactor with Russian technology and advisory services. While Chávez has made much of this agreement, it is the one about which he has given fewest details, and the information that has been released has been contradictory.

For example, different spokespersons have given different versions of the reactor’s generation capacity. Some say it will be 500 MW, others that it will be 2,400 MW, and yet others that it will be expanded eventually to 4,000 MW.

Information as to its cost is equally confusing, anywhere between $3.25 billion and $10 billion, depending on who does the calculation.

On the location of the reactor no mention has been made nor has a word been said on the technical studies conducted for setting off down this nuclear path.

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Oct
27
2010
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Debunking the Chavez Tour: What Chavez’s Trip to Russia Really Means for the U.S.

This article was originally published by Political News

Congressman Connie Mack, the Ranking Republican of the House Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, will issue fact checks every day this week on Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez’s recent tour through Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Iran, Syria, Libya, and Portugal. While news agencies reported on Chavez’s numerous stops, the true impact to U.S. security and the failure of U.S. engagement with Venezuela has been negligently overlooked.

Mack said:

“Last week, Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez visited Russia, where he signed an agreement to develop two nuclear reactors in Venezuela with Russia’s help. In addition to developing nuclear energy, Chavez declared new efforts to establish a Russian-Venezuelan bank, similar to the one that currently exists between Venezuela and Iran.

“Russia also offered Venezuela $1 billion in credit to buy Russian weapons, according to Russian news agency Interfax. Chavez agreed to buy S-3000 air defense systems that Moscow refused to deliver to Iran due to U.N.-imposed sanctions. However, Chavez has stated he will not uphold the sanctions against the country, providing an avenue for sanctionable items to arrive in Iran. Over the past five years, Venezuela has bought approximately $4 billion worth of Russian weapons and has emerged as the main Latin American client of the Russian military industry.

“In response, the State Department has said they will closely watch Venezuela’s relationship with Iran. Meanwhile, Chavez continues to deepen relationships with stated enemies of the United States, expanding his ability to turn rhetoric into action with nuclear energy and other weapons that are fueling insecurity, crime, and illegal armed groups along our borders.

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Oct
27
2010
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Venezuelan President Touts New World “Geopolitical Map”

This article was originally posted by The Latin American Herald

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez stressed Venezuela’s international importance and considered that “a new geopolitical map” has emerged, as he recounted to his country the details of his recent seven-nation tour.On a marathon program lasting more than five hours, aired obligatorily Monday on all radio and television networks, Chavez discussed his visit to Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Iran, Syria, Libya and Portugal, which he said was of “profound impact and long reach.”

 

The Venezuelan president said that “a new geopolitical map of the world has emerged despite everything the empire and its allies have done to avoid it,” and added that “no one in the world doubts the importance of Venezuela’s role or of the mission it has undertaken.”

He recalled that he signed 69 new accords, among which he highlighted pacts for building 37,512 homes in the country.

Chavez, who in February will have been in power 12 years, said that Venezuela’s housing problem “is a drama inherited from the 20th century,” from the governments before his.

The president also announced the construction of new plants to manufacture “construction materials” with Russian technology.

On the financial level, he spoke of the creation of a “small” Russian-Venezuelan bank that, nonetheless, “is of strategic importance to break the capitalist hegemony.”

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