17 May 2006
MPs cheer Chávez

(Roger Bagley, The Morning Star) - "The Churchill Room at Parliament echoed to thunderous applause on May 15 th as Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez emphatically rejected the so-called 'third way' between socialism and capitalism.

Addressing a highly charged solidarity meeting organised by Labour Friends of Venezuela, Mr Chávez declared: 'The third way, with all due respect, is impossible. We have to have socialism. The third way does not work.' (...)

Left-wing movements must combine to 'save humanity,' he insisted.

'There is no other way. It must be very diverse, it must be very flexible. It must take into account the realities of every country. It cannot be a dogma and we have to take on board the mistakes of the 20th century.'

He warned that the world is under threat from the 'US empire' and its 'unsustainable' policies, declaring: 'Enough, enough.'

He said: 'We want to have peace and respect. We can save life on this planet and change the path of history to achieve a better world. We are at a turning point. There is no time to lose.'

Mr Chávez was welcomed to Parliament by Labour Friends of Venezuela chairman Colin Burgon MP, along with secretary Jon Trickett MP and treasurer John Cruddas MP.

The smiling Venezuelan president chatted with well-wishers as he moved around the packed room. At one point, he paused for a photo with leading members of the left-wing Campaign Group, flanked by Liverpool MP Bob Wareing, Islington MP Jeremy Corbyn, Hackney MP Diane Abbott, North Ayrshire MP Katy Clark, Keighley MP Ann Cryer and veteran campaigner Tony Benn.

Mr Chávez warmly thanked the 118 MPs who have signed a Commons motion demanding that the British government should support the social policies being pursued by the democratically elected government of Venezuela.

The motion also urges Britain to back the Chávez government in resisting illegal internal and external threats.

Mr Burgon told Mr Chávez: 'We stand in solidarity with your struggle for social change.'

In a question and answer session, Mr Chávez spoke frankly about his feelings during the attempted US-backed coup, which was defeated by the people's mass action.

'I thought I was going to die that day,' he said. 'I was ready to die.'

Addressing the meeting, London Mayor Ken Livingstone reported that his talks with the president had laid the foundations for 'real co-operation between London and Caracas, between Britain and Venezuela.'

Mr Livingstone praised Venezuela for breaking the usual pattern under which oil wealth went into the pockets of about 25 rich families.

'Mr president, you made certain that the wealth of Venezuela is there for all its people. We will do all we can to help you sustain your Bolivarian revolution', he added.'"