At 12:16 17/01/2005, Charles Brown sent this on:
http://www.counterpunch.org/petras01152005.html
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Unfortunately, I must say that Petras' article is a load of crap. Charles, I suggest that you check out the facts (unlike Petras is doing these days). If you go to www.venezuelanalysis.com, you can see an interesting critique by David Raby of Petras's myths about Venezuela (his Chavez=FDR stories); and for information on the Granda affair, check out www.apporea.org (Google has a very handy translation engine). In the latter, you can see in accompanying documents, eg, the statement that Petras criticises by overseas 'friends of venezuela' (which I confess to signing) which sees the kidnapping as part of a orchestrated move by US imperialism against the Bolivarian revolution (in contrast to Petras' charge of Venezuelan complicity); a recent article by Heinz Dieterich (principal author of the previous statement), calling for a mobilisation at the upcoming World Social Forum against the Colombian government; and a statement by the most militant group from the base in Venezuela, the April 13 Movement (which is pushing the state for more control from below) which also sees an imperialist move vs. Venezuela. Finally, there's also a statement by the representatives of the Bolivarian Congress of Peoples (recognisable leading militants of Latin America--- including a number from Colombia-- I won't bother listing names) that ends:
We endorse in all its terms the position and measures by President Hugo Ch�vez and the Government of Venezuela in defense of national dignity, truth and justice, stained by this kidnapping in Venezuelan territory, the fact that this constitutes a serious violation of the sovereignty of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , that affects the relations between two brotherly countries and responds to the imperialistic strategy of the United States in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Of course, Petras knows better--- as he did back in April 2002 when he blamed the coup on Chavez.
cheers,
michael
Michael A. Lebowitz
Professor Emeritus
Economics Department
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, B.C., Canada V5A 1S6
Currently based in Venezuela. Can be reached at Residencias Anauco Suites Departamento 601 Parque Central, Zona Postal 1010, Oficina 1 Caracas, Venezuela (58-212) 573-4111 fax: (58-212) 573-7724
