WORLD
WWW.BGNEWS.COM
Thursday, January 11, 2007
5
Chavez begins third term after invoking Jesus and Fidel Hugo Chavez
By Ian James The Associated Press
CARACAS,Venezuela — Invoking Christ and Castro as his socialist models, President Hugo Chavez began his third term yesterday by declaring that socialism, not capitalism, is the only way forward for Venezuela and the world. His first stop: Nicaragua, where leftist ally Daniel Ortega was returning to power with his own inauguration hours later. Chavez can now count on remaining president until 2013 — or later if he gets his way with a constitutional amendment allowing him to run again. At the apex of a resurgent Latin American left, Chavez has been emboldened to make more radical changes at home after winning re-election with 63 percent of the vote, his widest margin ever. His next moves include nationalizing electrical and telecommunications companies, forming a commission to oversee constitutional reforms and asking the National Assembly, now entirely controlled by his supporters, to allow him to enact “revolutionary laws” by presidential decree. His right hand raised Wednesday, Chavez declared in words reminiscent of Fidel Castro’s famous call-to-arms: “Fatherland, socialism or death — I swear it.” He also alluded to Jesus: “I swear by Christ — the greatest socialist in history.” In a speech, he said the central aim of his term will be “to build Venezuelan socialism.” “I don’t have the slightest doubt that is the only path to the redemption of our peoples, the salvation of our fatherland,” Chavez told lawmakers to applause. Chavez’s re-election capped a series of Latin American presidential votes, and his closest ideological allies were all gathering Wednesday in Managua. Also on Ortega’s guest list were Ecuador’s Rafael Correa and Bolivia’s Evo Morales. Acting Cuban leader Raul Castro sent a high-level delegation. Chavez said a commission was being assembled to consider constitutional reforms to be decided in a popular referendum, including one allowing “indefinite re-election” by doing away with presidential term limits that bar him from running again in 2012. “The important thing is that the people will make the decision, because nothing can be done without that here,” Chavez said, dismissing criticism that
Thrice elected socialist president of Venezuela he is becoming authoritarian or trying to change Venezuela into something like Castro’s Cuba. Displaying blunt confidence during his speech, Chavez scolded leaders of the Roman Catholic Church and the Organization of American States for criticizing his decision not to renew the license of an opposition-aligned television station. Turning to Venezuela’s top Catholic prelate, Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino, Chavez said he could not understand why the church supported Radio Caracas Television, which Chavez accuses of subversive activities aimed at ousting him. “Mr. Cardinal,” Chavez said, “the state respects the church. The church should respect the state. I wouldn’t like to return to the times of confrontation with Venezuelan bishops, but it’s not up to me. It’s up to the Venezuelan bishops.” With oil profits booming and his popularity high, Chavez seems to be in step with many Venezuelans even as spooked investors rushed to sell off Venezuelan stocks in companies subject to his nationalization plans. Chavez called that a kneejerk overreaction, and shares in Venezuela’s leading telephone company rebounded as the congressional finance chief assured reporters Wednesday that the government will negotiate compensation to the affected companies. He also visited the tomb of Simon Bolivar, the South American independence hero and inspiration for his “Bolivarian Revolution,” and blew kisses to supporters tossing rose petals at his open car. Before flying to Nicaragua, the former paratroop commander also watched a military parade with Russian-made Sukhoi fighter jets thundering overhead. Chavez said he is crafting a new sort of “21st century socialism” for Venezuela. Critics say it is starting to look like old-fashioned totalitarianism by a leader obsessed with power. “They want to nationalize everything. This is the beginning,” said Marisela Leon, a 47-year-old engineer who said she would like to leave Venezuela because she sees difficult times ahead. Chavez denies trying to adopt Cuba’s system, he ended his inaugural speech Wednesday with Castro’s signature phrase: “Socialism or death! We shall prevail!”
SHANE T. MCCOY | AP PHOTO
WALKING THE LINE: In this handout photo from the Department of Defense U.S. Army Military Police escort a detainee to his cell in Camp X-Ray at Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on Jan. 11, 2002. Guantanamo military prison opened five years ago this week Tuesday Jan 10, 2007.
Detainees at Guantanamo ‘were very, very afraid’ By Ben Fox The Associated Press
A black hood covered his eyes, shackles secured his wrists and legs. He felt light headed from two days without food and medication that made him sleep during the long flight. Startled by barking guard dogs, he was shouted at by
troops in a language he did not understand. “We didn’t know where we were or what was going to happen to us,” Adil al-Zamil said, a former Kuwaiti government clerk, who was one of the first to arrive at Guantanamo Bay after the base began receiving terror suspects on Jan. 11, 2002. “We were very, very
afraid.” In the early days, dogs were used to intimidate prisoners. Detainees were subjected to sleep deprivation and earsplitting rock and rap music. Some, including al-Zamil, said they were shackled in uncomfortable positions for hours. Today, five years after the first prisoners arrived at the U.S.
Navy base in southeast Cuba, the detention camp commander says those aggressive interrogation tactics are gone. But world outrage over the detention center has grown. Protests around the world will mark the fifth anniversaryThursday of the arrival of the first 20 prisoners at Guantanamo, including a demonstration.
Iraqi leader tells Shiites to lay down arms By Steven R. Hurst The Associated Press
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s prime minister has told Shiite militiamen to surrender their arms or face an all-out assault by U.S.-backed Iraqi forces, senior Iraqi officials said yesterday, as President Bush said he will commit an additional 21,500 American combat troops to the war. Under pressure from the U.S., Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has agreed to crack down on fighters controlled by his most powerful political ally, Muqtada al-Sadr, a radical Shiite cleric, according to officials. Previously, al-Maliki had resisted the move. “Prime Minister al-Maliki has told everyone that there will be no escape from attack,” said a senior Shiite legislator and close al-Maliki adviser. “The government has told the Sadrists: ‘If we want to build a
Nouri al-Maliki The prime minister of Iraq who took office in May state we have no other choice but to attack armed groups.’” In his address to the nation yesterday evening — exerpts of which were released in advance by the White House — the president said al-Maliki had promised that U.S. forces would have a free hand and that “political or sectarian interference will not be tolerated.” He also warned that the U.S. expected the Iraqi leader to keep
those promises. “America’s commitment is not open-ended,” Bush said. “If the Iraqi government does not follow through on its promises, it will lose the support of the American people and it will lose the support of the Iraqi people.” Al-Maliki on Saturday announced that his government would implement a new security plan for Baghdad, which consists of neighborhood-by-neighborhood sweeps by Iraqi forces backed by U.S. troops. In the past, the Iraqi government has tried to prevent American military operations against the Mahdi Army, while giving U.S. forces a free hand against Sunni militants.
WINTER SAVINGS!
WORLD
BRIEF BG NEWS WIRE SOURCES Fisherman finds pieces of jetliner MAKASSAR, Indonesia (AP) — A fisherman found a piece of a jetliner missing for more than 10 days in northwestern Indonesia, the first hard evidence that the plane carrying 102 people crashed, a top search official said today. The piece of the Boeing 737’s tail was recovered yesterday from the Makassar Strait off Sulawesi Island, said Eddy Suyanto, the head of search and rescue operations. Suyanto said the serial number on the tail piece matched the one given to the search and rescue teams by Boeing.
OIL CHANGE & TIRE ROTATION $ 95 *
19
Includes: oil ¿lter, oil change with up to 5 qts. of quality Citgo motor oil, chassis lube and tire rotation. *In lieu of other offers. Most cars and light trucks. BGN Disposal fees may apply.
1045 N. Main 7B Bowling Green, Ohio 419-353-5800
• Renting for 2007-2008 • www.meccabg.com
APA
r FREE Ask for you eduled ch S ry o Fact Guide! Maintenance
Re n Fas ting t!
Bowling Green (419) 353-2444 1087 S. Main Street Mon. - Fri. 8:00am - 6:00pm Sat. 8:00am - 4:00pm
RTM ENT S!
www.tuffy.com
s om Bowling Green Ro 30 Bee Gee Shopping Center
1062 N. Main St.
Ro
LIFETIME WARRANTED BRAKE PADS/ SHOES & MUFFLERS
N
50%
OFF LIST *
Professional brake system inspection, install lifetime warrantied pads or shoes. Repack wheel bearings and machine rotors/drums when required. Semi-metallic pads and replacement parts may be needed at additional cost.* In lieu of other offers. Most cars and light trucks. BGN
Gypsy Lane
-Unlimited tanning from $11.99 -Large CLEAN facilities -State of the art equipment -Board Certified Employees -Multi-Level Tanning -Voted the Best
s Toledo Outback Plaza
om
5200 Monroe Street
843-2055 ms oo
25
Tuffy experts will evaluate your cooling system, Àush your radiator and ¿ll with coolant. Dex Cool extra. * In lieu of other offers. Most cars and light trucks. BGN
No Appointment Tanning !
352-9055 27
20.
Ask fo FREE r your MainteWinter Inspecnance tion!
Main St.
Now for Rent!
• Check out our Web Site for Specials and Pictures of apartments
ANTIFREEZE/ COOLIANT SYSTEM FLUSH $ 00 * OFF
Open Everyday 8am-11pm
Toledo Plaza
R 32 Southland
3400 Glendale Ave.
382-5055 s Toledo om Ro 36 Miracle Mile Plaza
4925 Jackman Road
475-9855
ms Sylvania R oo 26 Timberstone Plaza
7615 Sylvania Ave.
tua
841-5055
www.tanprousa.co
s om Spring Meadows
Ro 28 Spring Meadows Place
1558 Spring Meadows Dr.
866-8655
toll free 866-tanpro1
The Coolest Way to Look HOT !
2 Weeks
Lotions
FREE Tanning
25 %off
Free tanning based on tanning once every other day. Restrictions Apply, New Customers only. Photo ID required. Expires 2/15/07 bgn
Restrictions Apply. Photo ID required 1 Cupon per Person. Expires 2/15/07 bgn
Unlimited Tanning
1199
$
mo.
Restrictions Apply. Photo ID required 1 Cupon per Person. bgn