Pg. P g. 7 | A Analysis nalysis
Pg. P g. 8 | O Opinion pinion
Documents published by Wikileaks evidence the sloppy, biased reports issued by the US Embassy in Venezuela
Ma Weisbrot on how Wikileaks Mark discloses disastrous dis US policy on Haiti
THURSDAY | December 23, 2010 | No. 44| Bs 1 | CARACAS
ENGLISH EDITION The artillery of ideas
Christmas joy despite tragedies in Venezuela
Dudamel in US cinema
After heavy rains left tens of thousands homeless in Venezuela, the government is providing humane solutions
Rift over US ambassador raises US-Venezuela tensions
New homes were provided this week for hundreds of Venezuelans displaced by the rains last month, as constructions began nationwide to solve the country’s housing problems. New “socialist” restaurants and shops were inaugurated also this week to ensure affordable and quality products for all, especially during the holiday season, in order to combat price hikes and speculation in the private sector.
The US government threatened “consequences” against Venezuela this week after the Chavez administration reiterated the rejection of the US nominee for Ambassador to the South American nation. Larry Palmer, Ambassadordesignee of President Obama, violated diplomatic protocol and international norms after making harsh statements about Venezuelan democracy and military capacity, rendering him “ineligible” for the job.
Politics
Banking in the public service
2
A new law in Venezuela attempts to humanize banking.
A new and humane police force The National Bolivarian Police are waging the fight against crime and making Venezuela a safer place.
International
Ex Colombian President Uribe’s abuses revealed Falsified data evidencing advances in security and calls to invade Venezuela by Alvaro Uribe have been exposed.
L
Venezuela approves law to regulate foreign funding
ate Tuesday evening, the Venezuelan National Assembly approved a law to regulate and control the flow of foreign funding coming from international agencies and governments to finance political activities in the country. The Law in Defense of Political Sovereignty and National SelfDetermination prohibits foreign funding to political parties, actors and organizations seeking to influence domestic policies and internal affairs. Most nations prohibit or strictly regulate foreign funding for po-
litical activities in order to protect national sovereignty and prevent foreign actors from intervening in internal affairs and policies. The US forbids foreign funding for political campaigns or parties, and highly regulates all foreign financing for other activities, including lobbying, public relations and NGOs or other groups that receive such funding and work in the interests of a foreign actor. The US Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) goes so far as to classify all groups or individuals in the US receiving foreign fund-
ing who engage in certain political and public relations activities as “foreign agents”. The Venezuelan law comes after years of foreign intervention via funding that has propped up political groups and media outlets seeking to oust the current government from power. Two US entities, USAID and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) have been the principal channels for multimillion-dollar funding feeding anti-Chavez groups and coup attempts. Now, that funding will be prohibited.
L
ive concerts of the internationally acclaimed Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, will be broadcast in movie theaters in the US and Canada, beginning January 2011. The three live performances, to be held in the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, will include behind the scenes rehearsal footage and exclusive interviews with the charismatic Venezuelan maestro, guest soloists and musicians from the Philharmonic. “Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic share the passion to enrich the world with classical music and expand access to the arts”, noted the Philharmonic. Audiences will be able to enjoy “up-close and dramatic views of Gustavo Dudamel and the orchestra in action, captured with multiple HD cameras and in thrilling 5.1 surround sound”. The first of the live broadcasts will be on January 9 in LA, when the Venezuelan star will conduct pieces by John Adams, Leonard Bernstein and Beethoven together with mezzo-soprano Kelly O’Connor. Gustavo Dudamel is one of the most successful graduates of Venezuela’s National System of Youth and Children Orchestras, a foundation financed by the Venezuelan government.