Venezuela condemns US in mock trial
AP , CARACAS
Tuesday, Aug 16, 2005,Page 7
Witnesses from dozens of countries, including Colombia, Vietnam and Cuba,
argued their cases against the alleged "imperialist" foreign policies of
the US before the jury.
Thousands of young men and women from leftist groups participating in the
world youth festival cheered when the judge on Sunday read the verdict
ending the two-day trial: "Condemned, for crimes against humanity."
"We declare President George W. Bush in particular as guilty, of being
directly responsible for the crimes," said Venezuelan Vice President Jose
Vicente Rangel as he continued to read the verdict.
The mock trial was part of the festival, hosted by Venezuela and held
under the slogan "Against Imperialism and War." Events included debates
and forums on issues ranging from proposals for wiping out poverty to
aiding alternative media to opposing US imperialism worldwide.
Witnesses at the trial held in a Caracas stadium pointed to the war in
Iraq, Washington's financial support for the Colombian government's fight
against Marxist rebels and US economic policies that often leave many
developing nations in poverty as evidence of crimes committed by Bush.
Chavez, a self-proclaimed "revolutionary" who has become one of Latin
America's most outspoken critics of US foreign policy, was the last
witness called to the stand.
The Venezuelan leader said the Bush administration was behind a
short-lived 2002 coup and devastating 2003 strike, both of which failed to
oust him as planned. He also accused US officials of planning his
assassination.
"If something happens to me ... they are the ones to blame," said Chavez,
who referred to the US as "The Empire" throughout a marathon speech.
Officials in Washington have repeatedly rejected the allegations.
Chavez urged the crowd to embrace socialism while developing plans to
defeat US imperialism saying "a better world is possible by committing
ourselves to the fight."
"We must design anti-imperialist strategies," he added.
The crowd waved flags and held signs praising Cuban leader Fidel Castro
and Chinese revolutionary Mao Zedong (¤ò¿AªF). More than 15,000 people
from more than 144 countries attended the festival, according to
organizers. This year's World Festival of Students and Youth is the 16th.
The first, in 1947, was held in Czechoslovakia, and during the Cold War
most host countries were aligned with the Soviet bloc. Apart from the
former Soviet Union, other host countries have included Romania, Cuba and
North Korea.
While tensions have grown between Caracas and Washington, Chavez has built
close ties with countries from Iran to China.
Chavez said US officials want him removed from office because they oppose
his efforts toward Latin American integration, which oil-rich Venezuela
has led by offering petroleum at preferential prices to nations in the
region.
Venezuela has remained a steady oil supplier to the US despite rising
tensions. But Chavez warned Sunday the daily 1.5 million barrel supply to
US ports could be halted if US "aggressions" against his government
continue.
"Ships filled with Venezuelan oil, instead of going to the US, could go
somewhere else," Chavez said, adding "the US market is not indispensable"
for Venezuela.
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