Three cheers for Iraq!
now president bush should declare venezuela state sponsor of terrorism
By AcademicElephant Posted in Foreign Affairs | Hugo Chavez | Iraq | NO BLOOD FOR OIL | Saddam Hussein | Venezuela — Comments (2) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Two major news items from yesterday may seem unrelated, but both have serious ramifications for the intertwined issues of terrorism and energy. On the one hand, we had the excellent news that western oil companies are preparing to go back into Iraq after 38 years. On the other hand, we had the very very bad news that the Treasury Department has established economic ties between Venezuela and Hezbollah.
Read on to connect the dots...
The news from Iraq should put a smile on the face of everyone who doesn't have a tattered "No Blood For Oil" sticker on their Prius. It points to the increasing stability of a once desolate country that can now start to take advantage of its extraordinary natural resources. For decades, Saddam pulled oil out of the ground and used the revenues to support terrorism and on schemes for self-aggrandizement. Now the oil will be harvested by private companies who have a vested interest in building infrastructure and revenues will be shared among the different segments of Iraqi society. Given the potential of the Iraqi fields, they may be able to supply enough oil to ease the current crisis and stabilize prices. It's a win-win.
The news from Venezuela should put a damper on our enthusiasm for the developments in Iraq, though. Like Iraq, Venezuela has substantial oil resources, and has been benefiting from the soaring prices. But what has Caracas done with this windfall? It has nationalized the oil industry, in imitation of Saddam's disastrous policy. And also in the Saddam model, it has turned to terrorism to increase its international power. By giving aid and comfort to Hezbollah in the western hemisphere, Venezuela has provided Islamic extremists with a coveted prize that Saddam never could--the opportunity to train and equip within striking distance of the United States.
We have chosen to turn a largely-blind eye to Hugo Chavez and his band of thugs because Venezuela supplies 15% of US oil and the argument goes that we cannot afford for him to cut us off. Furthermore, we don't want to be seen as bullies on the international stage. We want to improve our image and demonstrate that we can accept other powers and play nicely with them. Well, given the success of our new Iraqi friends and Chavez' ever more blatant support for those who want to destroy us, I think that argument has lost whatever persuasiveness it once had.
President Bush and Secretary Rice should put Venezuela where it belongs, on the list of State Sponsors of Terror, and let Chavez enjoy all the rights and privileges of that elite group. I'm sure Danny Glover and Cindy Sheehan will be aghast, but this action would allow us to place Venezuela under strict sanctions, and also warn our allies in Latin America that Chavez is welcoming terrorists into the region that may well strike them on their way to us. National security should trump our need to pander for oil or pick up international brownie points from Chavez' other enablers, especially as we have a substantial new source opening up on much friendlier soil.
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Three cheers for Iraq! 2 Comments (0 topical, 2 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
For far too long our State apparatus has used crass triangulation to moderate what should be simple choices. We've given 'most favored nation' status to the evil totalitarian regime that enslaves something like 1/4 of the world's population, forces abortions, threatens to recapture Taiwan, and has set its sights on the United States to harm us in every way possible and replace us on the world stage.
I'm tired of it. Damn the consequences, and start calling a spade a spade. If we are the world's beacon on the hill, then Venezuela should be declared a state sponsor of terrorism.
Impeach the 5 usurpers
Nonetheless, I have some hesitations primarily based on economics. Frankly, Venezuela spreading its capital around Latin America with foolish endeavors such as ALBA and ambitious defense spending does not completely trouble me. We can meet any potential military threat resoundingly. Plus most of the countries (sans Cuba, Nicaragua, et al) will take the money without substantial long term political effects. As the Venezuelan economy goes further in the tank despite high oil prices one small decrease in per barrel prices or consumption will surely presage disaster (they are at about 30% inflation now).
I do worry about the potential implications for terrorism in our hemisphere, but any linking to Venezuela would bring ex post facto destruction for Hugo's regime (if McCain is in charge) as would any direct implication in terrorism (beyond recent events in Columbia). I also worry about the increasing Russian/Chinese involvement in our hemisphere vis-à-vis Venezuelan efforts but believe that can also be countered by making inherently clear the limits of our patience.
Overall, I believe Hugo is headed for disaster on his own despite his rhetoric. Any direct involvement by us will be used as an excuse with the Venezuelan people (and the other dictatorships) to blame us for their failure. My preference? Let them fail on their while providing targeted, sagacious assistance, setting very clear definitions on provocation, informing those outside our hemisphere what will not be tolerated and planning for a post Chavez LATAM.
"Nec Aspera Terrent"
bene ambula et redambula
Contributor to The Minority Report