February 19, 2006
Noam Chomsky: Venezuela is an example of true solidarity
(Periódico 26) - "The outstanding scholar, historian and university professor Noam Chomsky said during a presentation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that 'Venezuela, by sending heating oil free of charge for poor and homeless people and at very low prices for those that can pay, is giving a great example of cooperation and solidarity with the American people; and the whole world is bearing witness to it'. The event brought together professors, researchers, politicians, scholars, journalists, and social leaders from that city.
Chomsky, who is also well-known in the field of linguistics, has lashed out the Bush administration foreign policy through his books and speeches in international events.
He explained that the majority of Americans receive little or no information at all about the achievements of the Bolivarian revolution led by President Hugo Chávez, because the mass media only highlight the negative side and remain silent about the positive.
The writer and MIT linguistics and philosophy professor -who dedicates a great part of his activities to giving lectures at universities, trade unions and organizations- announced that he will visit Caracas in late October to participate in conferences and forums on how the Latin American situation is being viewed from the US perspective. He said that in his presentations he will approach the Venezuelan situation from the angle of its achievements, accomplishments, targets and programs.
On this occasion, Chomsky took part in a panel discussion on the origins and consequences of terrorism. Also participating were British priest Geoffrey Bottoms, a defender of humans rights and activist for world peace and justice, as well as journalist and moviemaker Bernie Dwyer.
Before the panel opened, there was a screening of the documentary 'Mission Against Terror,' which denounces the detention of five Cubans in the United States for fighting terrorism. At the same time it investigates the terrorist activities of Orlando Bosch and Luis Posada Carriles - the masterminds of the mid-air bombing of a Cubana Airlines DC-8 off the coast of Barbados on October 6, 1973 that killed all of its 73 passengers and crew members.
Throughout the discussion, Chomsky referred to the Venezuelan political process as an example for Latin America and the rest of the world, underscoring the policies that have achieved countless successes, especially in the educational and healthcare fields. These have strengthened the Venezuelan people's dignity, he said.
'Venezuela has successfully challenged the United States, and this country does not accept challenges - much less if they are successful. That's the heart of the matter,' said the writer.
On the other hand, he pointed out that according to Bush's foreign policy, the United States believes that it has the privilege of labeling any country or person as terrorist. 'And by following that precept we would have to accept that the US government is harboring Luis Posada Carriles and has turned a deaf ear at Venezuela's request for the extradition of one of the most notorious terrorist in this continent, who is about to be released,' said Chomsky.
He went on to say that 'Posada Carriles, a former CIA operative, escaped from a Venezuelan prison where he was being held while facing trial for the attack on the Cuban plane and other charges. He was later admitted into the US and sent to El Salvador, where, among other activities, he organized Nicaraguan Contras along with Captain Oliver North.'
'Now, the Cuban-born terrorist is in a jail in El Paso and the Venezuela's request for his extradition has not been responded to. Everything seems to be in a limbo; and probably Posada will show up tomorrow in Miami, walking around freely. So there is a remarkable contradiction between what is said and done in this country with regards to terrorism', said Chomsky".
