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Venezuelan envoy tells of social gains

Published Aug 6, 2005 8:48 PM

William Izarra, Venezuelan Chancellor to Asia and a former military commander, gave an informal talk July 11 to a room full of leaders and activists in the New York area. Describing the revolutionary process going on in his country as anti-imperialist, he gave insights into some recent developments.

Last Aug. 15, after the rich with the backing of the U.S. had campaigned to destabilize Venezuela, President Hugo Chávez won broad support for his policies in yet another referendum. Since then, quite a few of the wealthy have left for Miami and there has been relative calm.

To overcome the poverty of the vast majority, the Venezuelan government is using 30 percent of the country’s oil profits, which used to be siphoned off by eight rich families, to fund community programs.

“Misión Robinson” has reduced illiteracy to less than 4 percent of the population. “Misión Sucre” is a public health project where doctors deliver quality health care in the remotest and poorest sectors of the country. Over 18,000 Cuban medical personnel participate in this program.

“Barrio Adentro” and many other programs bring subsidized education, schooling, food, housing and work to the most affected communities.

Izarra told how in May 1967, when he was a military officer who flew helicopters, the army found a Cuban lieutenant on Venezuelan land whose goal was to train Venezuelan guerrillas. “I met him as he was held captive under a tent. I asked him why he was here. He said that he believed in international solidarity, the participation of the masses and that he volunteered to fight for justice. The next day, when I returned, the lieutenant was dead, shot through one side of his head, his hands tied behind his back.” This made a huge impression on Izarra. He left the military shortly thereafter.

Today, he says, Venezuela is trying to achieve “the common good for all.” He talked about Venezuela’s good relations with the Vietnamese people, “who demonstrated that even the most advanced military with the most modern equipment can’t win if it does not have conviction. They first threw out the French, then the U.S.”

He explained how, since the failed coup attempt against President Chavez, Vene zuela has had nine elections and every time the revolutionary process has moved forward. Some mayors of towns, however, still do not follow the constitution and select their own cabinets. The U.S. is funding groups like Súmate to participate in political subversion. “It is illegal in any country to accept funds from another country to overthrow the government. The representatives of the rich are being held accountable on charges of treason.

“Our goal is to have popularly elected and participatory mayors who function as the voice of the masses and are rooted in socialism.

“We have a lot of idle land that we are giving back to the peasants and the indigenous people. We have had many military exercises to defend our sovereignty. Chá vez has the people behind him and is increasing the national military reserve to over a million and building popular militias.”