Venezuela Watches US Hawks Closely
Two years before US President George W. Bush leaves the White House, Venezuela is concerned about Washington's stepped-up hostility, so Caracas is watching the US "hawks" closely.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez warned that any aggressive action could be expected during Bush's final mandate, characterized by the US troops defeat in Iraq, lost positions in Latin America and the president s low popularity in his own country.

An example of that are Washington s threats against Iran, a nation against which there is an aggressive plan, as there is probably another one against his own country, according to Chavez.

"Iran is on the front line today as the US empire's goal, but it can be Belarus, Venezuela, anyone who they don't like because of their sovereign policy or the projects they are developing," stressed the president.

Coincidentally, local media warned against surreptitious movements by agents under US Undersecretary of State John Negroponte, known for his open hostility against Cuba and Venezuela.

In his regular column in the newspaper VEA, one of the best-informed observers here, who signs his articles as Marciano, warned that under Negroponte s cloak, threatening letters circulate, officials are contacted and meetings are held.

According to the source, there is a plan for April and May to cause street violence, transport strikes, terrorist attacks and civil disobedience.

According to reports, the pretext to kick off the stabilization plan may be the government s refusal to renovate the concession to RCTV on May 27, due to violations of the law, including the broadcast of subliminal propaganda.

RCTV is also accused of supporting the April 2002 coup d etat, backed by US agents, according to denunciations by Venezuelan authorities, including President Chavez himself.