January 29, 2005: Headlines: COS - Dominican Republic: COS - Venezuela: Congress: Washington Post: Chris Dodd says: There is no question in my mind that many of Mr. Chavez's actions have been provocative. But the reality is that he was democratically elected -- a fact The Post seems to ignore

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Dominican Republic: RPCV Chris Dodd (Dominican Republic) : RPCV Chris Dodd: Archived Stories: January 29, 2005: Headlines: COS - Dominican Republic: COS - Venezuela: Congress: Washington Post: Chris Dodd says: There is no question in my mind that many of Mr. Chavez's actions have been provocative. But the reality is that he was democratically elected -- a fact The Post seems to ignore

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-48-182.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.48.182) on Friday, February 04, 2005 - 6:56 pm: Edit Post

Chris Dodd says: There is no question in my mind that many of Mr. Chavez's actions have been provocative. But the reality is that he was democratically elected -- a fact The Post seems to ignore

Chris Dodd says: There is no question in my mind that many of Mr. Chavez's actions have been provocative. But the reality is that he was democratically elected -- a fact The Post seems to ignore

Chris Dodd says: There is no question in my mind that many of Mr. Chavez's actions have been provocative. But the reality is that he was democratically elected -- a fact The Post seems to ignore

Words and Deeds in Venezuela

Saturday, January 29, 2005; Page A24

The Post aptly pointed out in a Jan. 14 editorial that in Venezuela under President Hugo Chavez, democratic institutions have been under stress. But the editorial wrongly concluded that I or my colleagues regard these developments with nonchalance.

In fact, my colleagues Sens. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Lincoln D. Chafee (R-R.I.) and I traveled to Venezuela during the second week of January to assess Venezuela's democracy and the likelihood of a disruption in our relationship with the fourth-largest oil supplier to the United States.

There is no question in my mind that many of Mr. Chavez's actions have been provocative. But the reality is that he was democratically elected -- a fact The Post seems to ignore.

Mr. Chavez's rule highlights a broader U.S. foreign policy challenge: how to respond to democratically elected leaders whose actions challenge established democratic institutions. I believe that the institutions of democracy must be nurtured and encouraged, regardless of who is in office. They should not be relegated to the shadows simply because we don't share the political views of an elected leader of the moment. That means we must keep the door open to dialogue.

In the case of Mr. Chavez, dialogue may serve as a restraint on his most controversial policies. We know that isolating him has not. Mr. Chavez had encouraging words to say to us about wanting to reengage with the United States. We welcomed those words but told him that the course of our relationship will be decided by whether he lives up to the principles of democracy.

But building a better relationship is a two-way street. To that end, we have urged the administration to reconsider its failed approach toward Venezuela.

There is no denying that a healthy U.S.-Venezuela relationship is in our interests. Such a relationship is more likely if we keep lines of communication open while making clear our differences with aspects of Chavez rule. Our visit to Venezuela was an effort to do that. I hope the Bush administration will follow suit to test whether words can be translated into deeds on both sides.

CHRISTOPHER J. DODD

U.S. Senator (D-Conn.)

Washington





When this story was posted in January 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:

RPCVs mobilize support for Countries of Service Date: January 30 2005 No: 405 RPCVs mobilize support for Countries of Service
RPCV Groups mobilize to support their Countries of Service. Over 200 RPCVS have already applied to the Crisis Corps to provide Tsunami Recovery aid, RPCVs have written a letter urging President Bush and Congress to aid Democracy in Ukraine, and RPCVs are writing NBC about a recent episode of the "West Wing" and asking them to get their facts right about Turkey.
RPCVs contend for Academy Awards  Date: January 31 2005 No: 416 RPCVs contend for Academy Awards
Bolivia RPCV Taylor Hackford's film "Ray" is up for awards in six categories including best picture, best actor and best director. "Autism Is a World" co-produced by Sierra Leone RPCV Douglas Biklen and nominated for best Documentary Short Subject, seeks to increase awareness of developmental disabilities. Colombian film "El Rey," previously in the running for the foreign-language award, includes the urban legend that PCVs teamed up with El Rey to bring cocaine to U.S. soil.

January 29, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Date: January 29 2005 No: 395 January 29, 2005: This Week's Top Stories
UPI says Suicides lower in Iraq after Lariam discontinued 28 Jan
Chris Starace makes DVD about life in Benin 28 Jan
Gaddi Vasquez tours Sri Lanka 27 Jan
Tom Hazuka receives writer's award 27 Jan
Raymond Wacks to oversee Baltimore's budget 27 Jan
L. A. Adams provides online assistance to village of Cochiraya 27 Jan
New blog helps prospective PCVs apply to PC 27 Jan
RPCV writes open letter to "West Wing" on Turkey episode 26 Jan
PC moves Guyana Volunteers from Flooding Areas 26 Jan
Taylor Hackford's 'Ray' scores six Oscar nominations 26 Jan
State building in Georgia may be named for Coverdell 25 Jan
Nick Craw to head Automobile Competition Committee 25 Jan
Peace Corps Announces Top Colleges 24 Jan
RPCV Francis J. Thomas was WWII Pearl Harbor vet 24 Jan
PC crafts strategy for Deborah Gardner murder case 23 Jan
Senator Bill Nelson says expand PC in South America 23 Jan
George Wallace is county's first poet laureate 20 Jan

Ask Not Date: January 18 2005 No: 388 Ask Not
As our country prepares for the inauguration of a President, we remember one of the greatest speeches of the 20th century and how his words inspired us. "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."
Coleman: Peace Corps mission and expansion Date: January 8 2005 No: 373 Coleman: Peace Corps mission and expansion
Senator Norm Coleman, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee that oversees the Peace Corps, says in an op-ed, A chance to show the world America at its best: "Even as that worthy agency mobilizes a "Crisis Corps" of former Peace Corps volunteers to assist with tsunami relief, I believe an opportunity exists to rededicate ourselves to the mission of the Peace Corps and its expansion to touch more and more lives."
RPCVs active in new session of Congress Date: January 8 2005 No: 374 RPCVs active in new session of Congress
In the new session of Congress that begins this week, RPCV Congressman Tom Petri has a proposal to bolster Social Security, Sam Farr supported the objection to the Electoral College count, James Walsh has asked for a waiver to continue heading a powerful Appropriations subcommittee, Chris Shays will no longer be vice chairman of the Budget Committee, and Mike Honda spoke on the floor honoring late Congressman Robert Matsui.
RPCVs and Peace Corps provide aid  Date: January 4 2005 No: 366 Latest: RPCVs and Peace Corps provide aid
Peace Corps made an appeal last week to all Thailand RPCV's to consider serving again through the Crisis Corps and more than 30 RPCVs have responded so far. RPCVs: Read what an RPCV-led NGO is doing about the crisis an how one RPCV is headed for Sri Lanka to help a nation he grew to love. Question: Is Crisis Corps going to send RPCVs to India, Indonesia and nine other countries that need help?
The World's Broken Promise to our Children Date: December 24 2004 No: 345 The World's Broken Promise to our Children
Former Director Carol Bellamy, now head of Unicef, says that the appalling conditions endured today by half the world's children speak to a broken promise. Too many governments are doing worse than neglecting children -- they are making deliberate, informed choices that hurt children. Read her op-ed and Unicef's report on the State of the World's Children 2005.

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Story Source: Washington Post

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Dominican Republic; COS - Venezuela; Congress

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