Forward from mart. PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY. Press release from the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the United States - Washington D.C - Sept.12, 2004 - "Venezuela Rejects US Sanctions"
English and Spanish text. Please scroll down 'por espanol'. ====================================== http://www.embavenez-us.org EMBAJADA DE LA REPUBLICA BOLIVARIANA DE VENEZUELA WASHINGTON DC, Septiembre 12, 2004 Venezuela Rejects US Sanctions We were disappointed to learn that on Friday, September 10th, President Bush issued a determination that the United States intends to take action against Venezuela for allegedly not standing strongly against human trafficking. The Government of Venezuela stands firmly against trafficking in persons. We have signed and ratified the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, and the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, which the United States has yet to ratify. As well, we work closely with the regional office of the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) to put an end to illegal incursions by traffickers along our borders. In addition, the Government of Venezuela has taken significant steps, including the removal of immigration officials involved in human smuggling, among others. We are committed to stopping these wrongful practices, and to prosecute violators under our laws. We have done much, much more needs to be done, and much more will be done. But, let us be clear: the real purpose of President Bush's executive determination is political. It is unfortunate and even outrageous that the United States has come to this decision without even minimal communication, or consultations with Venezuela. We are extremely disappointed that the government of the United States has politicized what is an important international issue. It is well documented that the U.S. Government has provided financial assistance to political actors in Venezuela opposing the current government. The referendum of August 15, 2004, the results of which were internationally recognized, expressed the democratic will of the people of Venezuela to keep the current administration in office. Following that referendum, we reached out to the United States seeking to improve relations between our countries. This was an expectation not only of the international community, but also of important sectors within our own countries. The decision by President Bush to use the influence of the United States in the international financial arena to deny funds to Venezuela appears to rebuff our efforts to improve bilateral relations; instead, it reflects a decision to continue the aggressive and unilateral policies of the past. Incredibly, the one exception for continuing financial assistance to Venezuela is not to help us strengthen our capacity in dealing with important issues such as human trafficking, but to allow the U.S. government to continue supporting opposition political parties and organizations. We are disappointed that a government that has long held itself to be a beacon of Democracy, appears incapable of accepting democracy in Venezuela. President Bush's determination last Friday would commit U.S. officials to using the influence of the government in international financial institutions to forbid the authorization of funding to Venezuela. We are certain that the international community will not follow suit. Many of the projects for which funds are made available through those international institutions not only help us to continue to strengthen our country's social development and institutions of democracy, but also to strengthen the energy sector and infrastructure of Venezuela, which has long been a productive and reliable source of energy to the United States. ============================================== http://www.embavenez-us.org/_spanish EMBAJADA DE LA REPUBLICA BOLIVARIANA DE VENEZUELA COMUNICADO DE PRENSA WASHINGTON DC, Septiembre 12, 2004 Venezuela Rechaza Sanciones de EEUU El Gobierno de Venezuela recibi� con decepci�n la decisi�n del Presidente George W. Bush divulgada el viernes 10 de septiembre, segun la cual los Estados Unidos intenta tomar acciones contra de Venezuela alegando que nuestro gobierno no esta trabajando fuertamente para evitar el tr�fico de personas. Nosotros mantenemos una posici�n firme contra el trafico de personas. Hemos firmado y ratificado la Convenci�n de la Organizaci�n de las Naciones Unidas Contra la Delincuencia Organizada Transnacional, y el Protocolo de la Organizaci�n de las Naciones Unidas para Prevenir, Reprimir y Sancionar la Trata de Personas, Especialmente Mujeres y Ninos, cosa que Estados Unidos aun no ha ratificado. Ademas, trabajamos en conjunto con la Oficina Regional de la Alta Comisi�n de las Naciones Unidas para los Refugiados (ACNUR) para poner fin a las incursiones ilegales de traficantes a trav�s de nuestras fronteras. Adicionalmente, el Gobierno de Venezuela ha tomado significantes pasos que incluyen la destituci�n de funcionarios de inmigraci�n acusados del tr�fico ilegal de personas, entre otras acciones. Estamos comprometidos a terminar con esas pr�cticas ilegales, y a enjuiciar a los responsables de acuerdo a nuestras leyes. Hemos hecho mucho en esta materia, queda mucho por hacer, y seguiremos trabajando. Pero, queremos dejar claro que el prop�sito real de la determinaci�n ejecutiva tomada por el Presidente Bush es esencialmente politico. Es lamentable-y hasta indignante -que los Estados Unidos haya tomado esta decisi�n sin siquiera tener la minima comunicacion o consulta con Venezuela. Estamos extremamente decepcionados de que el gobierno de los Estados Unidos haya politizado un asunto internacional tan importante. Es de todos conocido que los Estados Unidos ha dado ayuda financiera a actores politicos en Venezuela, que se oponen al actual gobierno. Los resultados del referendo del 15 de agosto del 2004, los cuales han sido reconocidos internacionalmente, expresaron la voluntad democr�tica del pueblo de Venezuela de mantener a la actual administraci�n en el poder. Despues del referendo, nosotros expresamos a los Estados Unidos nuestra intenci�n de mejorar las relaciones entre ambos paises. Esto lo esperaba no solamente la comunidad internacional, sino importantes sectores de nuestras dos naciones. La decisi�n del Presidente Bush de utilizar la influencia de los Estados Unidos dentro del escenario financiero internacional para que niegue fondos a Venezuela, parece un rechazo a nuestros esfuerzos por mejorar las relaciones. M�s bien, refleja la decisi�n de continuar la agresiva y unilateral politica del pasado. Increiblemente, la unica excepci�n para asistencia financiera a Venezuela es permitir que el gobierno de los Estados Unidos continue ayudando a los partidos politicos y organizaciones de la oposici�n, y no para ayudarnos a reforzar nuestra capacidad para enfrentar importantes asuntos como el tr�fico de personas. Lamentamos que un gobierno que se autodefine como emblema de democracia, parezca incapaz de aceptar la democracia en Venezuela. La decisi�n del pasado viernes tomada por el Presidente Bush podria permitir a los funcionarios de los Estados Unidos influenciar a las instituciones financieras internacionales para que bloqueen la autorizaci�n de fondos para Venezuela. Estamos seguros que la comunidad internacional no apoyar� esta decisi�n. Muchos de los proyectos financiados por estos entes financieros no s�lo han sido para continuar fortaleciendo el desarrollo social y las instituciones democr�ticas de nuesto pais, sino tambien para fortalecer el sector energetico y de infrastructura de Venezuela, pais que ha sido durante muchos a�os una fuente productiva y confiable de energia para los Estados Unidos. ========================================== [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. 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