CARACAS, Monday April 23, 2007 | Update
TV and radio show ¡Aló, Presidente! was broadcast Sunday from a estate "rescued" by the Venezuelan Government (Photo: ABN)
REYES THEIS
EL UNIVERSAL
"Forget about renewal. This will not happen ever," said Venezuelan
President Hugo Chávez to reassert his decision not to
renew a broadcasting license to Caracas-based private TV network
RCTV.
"What you should accept is a fact that is quite clear: the
license is expiring and the state has the right to grant this
permit to citizens under any other form," Chávez Sunday
during his radio and TV show ¡Aló, Presidente! (Hello,
President!), broadcast from a ranch "rescued" by the Venezuelan
Government in Urachiche, central Yaracuy state.
"People who believe they can put pressure on me by appealing
to international organizations, foreign governments, and the
evil court of this and that, with demonstrations, forget it!
You are not going to put pressure on me; with nothing and
for nothing. Just accept it. If you cannot face it, it is
up to you. And if you believe you are overthrowing my government,
you are wrong again, and this will be worse for you," the
Venezuelan ruler warned, and reminded that RCTV broadcasting
license expires next May 27.
According to Chávez, there are plots under way to overthrow
his government. In this connection, he stated: "Messieurs
Minister of Defense, of the Interior and Justice, governors,
and mayors, start preparing your counteroffensive plans. If
they attack, our counterattack will be overwhelming, with
civilian and military forces."
Socialist power
Chávez branded the media as "swine," claiming they have
manipulated his remarks on his 21st-century socialism, and
once again invited the military to "undertake the socialist
project." He added "it is a must for Venezuelan military officers."
In Chávez' view, people slashing out at his call for
the military to support his socialist plans "are arguing this
is proselytism, but all they want is we, you, generals, officers,
sub-officers and troops to go back to what you were in the
past: the tools the capitalism used to exploit people."
He stated that "the Armed Force is a political instrument"
and has the last word as to the fate of the people. "The Armed
Force has an obligation to support the decision of the majority,
and the majority here endorsed socialism. The Armed Force
has no other choice than supporting the people's lawful and
constitutional decision."
Price regulation for private clinics
Chávez announced he is drafting a resolution -under
the Enabling Law that granted him special ruling powers- to
"regulate exploitation in private clinics."
"Any clinic failing to comply shall be closed down. Perhaps
we could use its premises to install (government primary healthcare
plan Barrio Adentro -mostly administered by Cuban doctors),
or we could use it as a popular clinic. That is why I am making
this a resolution applicable nationwide."
"If there is need to expropriate, expropriation will take
effect immediately. We have no complex about anything."
Further, Chávez once again urged political organization
supporting his revolutionary process to join his United Socialist
Party of Venezuela (PSUV).
Finally, Chávez claimed that the United States has okayed
his assassination, and labeled US President George W. Bush'
administration as "terrorist" for the release last week of
Cuban anti-Castro militant Luis Posada Carriles.
Translated by Maryflor Suárez R.
msuarez@eluniversal.com
01:11 PM.
Economy.
Domestic inflation rate in Venezuela was 1.7 percent in January, at the same rate as in December 2009, despite currency devaluation at the start of the year decreed by President Hugo Chávez, a senior government source told Reuters on Tuesday.