NEWSLETTER 13

Vol. 4: Issue 13, 17th April, 2018

Bolivarian Government of Venezuela

Ministry of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs

Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Newsletter Weekly

What’s inside Venezuela condemns the attack perpetrated by the United States, France and the United Kingdom against Syria

Venezuela condemns the attack perpetrated by the United States, France and the United Kingdom against Syria

Response of the Cuban Chancellor to the Vice President of the United States at the 8th Summit of the Americas Inside Venezuela Venezuela demands from the European Union respect for its institutions, its government and its constitution Tragic plane crash in Algeria Kenya’s Second liberation hero, Kenneth Matiba, mourned Why western imperial power set out to destroy Syria

Inside Africa:

Tanzania Ranked Highly in Investment Report

On Friday 13th of April 2018, the United States and European allies launched airstrikes against Syrian research, storage and military targets. “The government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela repudiates and strongly condemns the unilateral military attack perpetrated by the United States, France and the United Kingdom, against the territory and the brotherly people of the Syrian Arab Republic. " Once again, the United States and some of its allies are unaware of the most elementary principles and norms of International Law, when undertaking unilateral action, without discussions and approval within the organs empowered to do so by the United Nations. With the unilateral and illegal use of violence, the attacking countries openly violate the sovereignty, the right to life and all the human rights of the brotherly Syrian people.

The Syrian Arab Republic has been attacked despite the fact that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has not yet sent its teams of experts to the field to investigate the supposed use of chemical weapons by the Syrian army. The hasty military operation of the United States, recalls of the catastrophic invasion of Iraq in 2003, justified under the pretext of the necessary neutralization of weapons of mass destruction that, after months of death and chaos, they acknowledged that they have never found anything.

The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in the name of the Venezuelan People and Government, expresses his absolute solidarity with the Syrian people and government for the loss of lives, injuries and material damage, as a consequence of this ruthless and unjustified attack. www.mppre.gob.ve

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Response of the Cuban Chancellor to the Vice President of the United States at the 8th Summit of the Americas

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, assured on the14th April 2018 in Lima that their country is willing to maintain cordial relations with the United States, but for this to occur it is not willing to "negotiate any of its principles.” He said that their country is willing to maintain cordial relations with the United States, but is not willing to "negotiate a single principle". "Cuba will not accept blackmail from the United States," said the diplomat in the sessions of the VIII Summit of the Americas.

"Cuba does not want confrontation, but it will not negotiate or cede one of its principles," he added, after highlighting the sacrifices and resistance of the Cuban people to earn the right to hold that position. He denounced that Washington is tightening the economic blockade, which affects the people of the Greater Antilles, while the isolation of the US government in the world, in its society and in the population of Cuban origin from this failed policy grows.

The arguments used to reduce the personnel of the United States Embassy in Cuba have been totally discredited, said Rodriguez Parrilla, regarding the decision that has practically paralyzed the consular section and the services of the official US mission.

"Our America, martiana and bolivariana, a group of nations from the Rio Grande to Patagonia, continues to be plundered and vilified by US imperialism," said Rodríguez Parrilla, who recalled invoking the Monroe Doctrine to justify American domination in our region. He denounced the danger that exists regarding the possible return to the use of force and unilateral coercive measures and even bloody military coups.

"The seriousness of the declaration of Venezuela as an unusual and extraordinary threat to the security of the superpower" of the United States should not be underestimated, he added. He said that President Nicolás Maduro's absence from the Summit was an "affront to Latin America" and a step backwards from Washington. In that sense, it ratified its solidarity with Venezuela and wished successes to the next presidential election in Venezuela.

Chancellor iCuba Bruno nvoked in the audience the declaration of Latin America as a zone of peace, signed by all the presidents of the region at the CELAC Summit in Havana in 2013. He recalled that the Cuban Government condemned the attack perpetrated by the United States and some NATO allies against Syria and denounced that the action was "unilateral" and was not based on evidence.

In this regard, he noted that Cuba rejects the use of chemical weapons by "any actor and in any circumstance." Rodríguez Parrilla criticized that Latin America is the region with the greatest inequality in the distribution of wealth. "The people lack equitable access to health, employment, sanitation and electricity and drinking water," he added. "We will only advance through integration in the midst of the diversity that led to the creation of CELAC," he said.

Meanwhile, he pointed out that in the electoral campaigns in the United States there are no ethical limits and hatred, slander, racism and xenophobia are promoted, while he denounced the attempts to build walls on the southern border. What democracy and values are spoken of here? The Cuban diplomat asked himself, "Those of Lincoln and Martin Luther King" or those of the "conservative extremist who governs today in the United States". The Cuban Foreign Minister highlighted the ties of our country with Peru, especially the solidarity of the island in times of natural disasters. "We know that the Peruvian people repudiate the aggressions against Cuba of the last days".

Recent events show that the OAS, especially its Secretary General, Luis Almagro, are mere instruments of the United States, denounced the Cuban diplomat. He added that his actions seek to restore "savage neoliberalism" on a continental scale and his use of the fight against corruption as a "political weapon". It indicates that, in the case of Brazil, former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is a political prisoner and demanded his release. www.granma.cu 2

Venezuela:-

US has destined more than $50 million against Venezuela

UN won’t send observers to Presidential and Legislative elections in Venezuela

The National Electoral Council confirmed that the United Nations will not send observers to Presidential and Legislative elections to be held on the 20th of May in Venezuela. The information was confirmed by the Electoral Council’s President Tibisay Lucena, from Tunisia, where she initiated a world tour to inform on Venezuela’s electoral process. Lucena believes the absence of the United Nations in Venezuela’s elections is due to Secretary General’s Antonio Guterres, political position.

The United States has approved more than 50 million dollars to finance multiple agencies operating in Venezuela’s frontier with Colombia. The United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR, confirmed that Washington delivered more than 35.5 million dollars for multiple activities in the frontier. Last Thursday US Vice-president, Mike Pence disposed another 16 million dollars to attend frontier issues.

Pence made the announcement after meeting in Peru with various Venezuelan political factors opposed to Nicolas Maduro, including parliamentarian Julio Borges. Colombian troops have been mobilized to the frontier with Venezuela and in Brazil similar tasks were made by duplicating military presence in Roraima.

She exposed before European, African and Arab media that Guterres has no reason to boycott Venezuela’s elections. The President of the Electoral power initiated an information tour through various European and African countries, the Venezuelan Chancellery confirmed.

20 Public Attorneys detained for corruption

African Union formally invited

Venezuela’s Attorney General, Tareck William Saab indicated on Monday that twenty public attorneys have been detained in Venezuela for corruption. Venezuelan authorities confirmed the detention of ex attorney, Saida Josefina Farfán Acosta, of the district attorney’s office in Bolivar State and ex attorney for Strategic Materials, QuQu del Valle Quintana Rojas.

The women were detained for allegedly selling medicines, food and strategic materials that were under supervision of the Attorney’s General Office. Farfán Acosta and Quintana Rojas will be presented before the court to be accused for corruption crimes, intentional embezzlement of public property, and criminal association.

Venezuela formally reiterated the invitation to the African Union to send an observing mission to participate in the 20th of May Presidential elections. The Venezuelan Chancellery informed that Vice Chancellor, Yuri Pimentel met with Senegal’s Chancellor, Sidika Kaba, to specify the invitation made by the National Electoral Council to the African Union. Pimentel and Kaba talked about the elections, where 20.5 million Venezuelans are called to vote. On that day Venezuelans will also choose members of Municipal and State Legislative Councils. Caracas informed that on Monday one of the 14 audit processes of the electoral system was accomplished.

Brazil doesn’t expect to close frontier with Venezuela Brazil’s Security Minister, Raul Jungmann, affirmed that there are no reasons to close the frontier with Venezuela as was solicited by Roraima’s authorities. Jungmann declared to Brazilian News that the frontier cannot be closed and thus break a diplomatic and humanitarian tradition. The Government of Roraima State requested The Supreme Court temporary closing of Venezuela’s frontier, claiming an outpouring of public services due to arrival of Venezuelans.

Venezuelan church could receive funds from the US Local press reported that US Senator Marco Rubio, suggested financing operations in Venezuela through this country’s Catholic Church. Republican Senator for Florida State, Marco Rubio, said that financing for these operations must not be mixed with political actions. Rubio mentioned that economic resources could also be delivered through United Nations offices or Non-Governmental Organizations. US Vicepresident, Mike Pence, confirmed that the US approved on Thursday 16 million dollars to finance operations in Venezuela’s frontier. The US has sent more than 50 million dollars to cover operation costs in the frontier for various agencies and for the Colombian government.

Jungmann qualified the situation in Roraima as serious but insisted on the absence of reasons to close the frontier, a measure he defined as radical. Brazil’s Security Minister added that closing the frontier is an attribution for the President of the Republic not the Supreme Court. Brasil duplicated military presence in Roraima, a similar measure to the one taken by Colombia at the North of Santander.

Venezuela has denounced that these countries are part of an international complot against Nicolas Maduro.

Source: Chavezvive

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Electoral centers are ready

Free Our Money

The Venezuelan National Electoral Council published the list of the 14,511 electoral centers that will be operating for the 20th of May elections. More than 20.5 million Venezuelans are called to choose the President and members of the Legislative and Municipal Councils. These will be the 25th elections in Venezuela since 1998.

Venezuela through Chancellor, Jorge Arreaza asked the European Union for actions before the financial services provider, Euroclear, for the liberation of more than 1.500 billion Venezuelan dollars that the company keeps blocked.

Caracas seek to start relations with Madrid

The request was made, in a meeting held with Federica Moguerini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Euroclear is part of the global financial system that impedes the free circulation of the Venezuelan money, after an executive order approved by Washington in August last year.

Chancellor Arreaza told Moguerini that the European Union must ask banks not to be misled by US sanctions and to allow Venezuela access to financing. He explained that the blockade activated in the US, and in European banks doesn’t allow government transactions for the import of basic goods.

Venezuela delivered a letter to the Spanish Government in Madrid to foster a dialogue process to regularize diplomatic relations between both countries.

Venezuelan Chancellor Jorge Arreaza, informed that in spite of Madrid’s blatant intrusive attitude, Nicolas Maduro’s government wants to open spaces for dialogue and regularize relations.

EU changes laws to block Venezuela

The letter was delivered directly to Spain’s Foreign Minister, Alfonso Dastis, Arreaza said while Belgium. Arreaza regrets that the Spanish Chief of State, Mariano Rajoy protects Fugitives from Venezuelan justice and keeps a hostile conduct against Venezuela. Caracas expelled Madrid’s Ambassador last January, a measure responded to by the Spanish government 24 hours later.

Venezuela offers Ghana its 3 satellites Venezuelan Chancellor, Jorge Arreaza, denounced new aggressions activated by the European Union against Venezuela’s institutions. Mr. Arreaza regretted that the European Union tries to extend its faculties to harass the country in the middle of a wave of sanctions initiated by Washington.

Venezuelan Government offered its satellite system to the Republic of Ghana in a meeting held between Yuri Pimentel, Venezuela’s Vice Minister for Africa and the Foreign Minister of Ghana, Shirley Ayorkor Botehway. Venezuela proposed the use of satellites Simon Bolívar, Miranda and Sucre, to concrete bilateral agreements in the education and telecommunications sectors. The Venezuelan Chancellery informed that both Nations also evaluated projects for the mining and energy sectors. Pimentel also met with the Interior Vice Minister for the African Nation, Ambrose Dery, to talk about the fight against drugs. This is the second country that Vice Minister Pimentel visits in a tour through the African Continent after visiting Benin.

He considered the measures that some European Union countries intend to execute as unilateral and coercive and denounced that through norms and new legal frameworks these countries and organisms try to crush Venezuela’s sovereignty. According to the Chancellor, internal and external political agents are supported by sanctions to attack the South American Nation’s economy.

Source: Chavezvive

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Venezuela demands from the European Union respect for its institutions, its government and its constitution

The People’s Power Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jorge Arreaza, held a meeting with Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, on April 11th in Brussels.

Minister Jorge Arreaza expressed the political will of Venezuela to open spaces for dialogue with Europe in this high-level meeting with the highest representative of the European Union on foreign affairs.

Arreaza recalled to Mogherini that Venezuela does not recognize the authority let alone the legality of the imposed unilateral sanctions, which clearly violate the International Law and contradict the founding spirit of the European Union.

The Minister also regretted the European Union full submission to Donald Trump’s administration policies against Venezuela. He expressed that the elections to be held on May 20th shall be another demonstration of the social-political claim of the Venezuelan People. He ratified the democratic nature of Venezuela; evidenced by holding over than 25 safe and transparent elections that have been accompanied with international electoral observation, thus demonstrating the real existence of electoral guarantees, which are also recognized by the democratic opposition.

Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza expressed to the Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini that our country continues moving towards negotiated solutions under the Constitution and Venezuelan laws, in an open, transparent and democratic manner, despite the fact that an opposition sector continues to act intransigently and contradict the democratic values by constantly promoting violence. In this regard, the Minister called on the European Union not to be involved in the war campaign led by the U.S. foreign policy, which encourages the radical sectors from opposition to ignore the principles of democracy.

Mr. Arreaza urged the European Union to call on these sectors for avoiding violence and committing to political dialogue and actively participation in the Venezuelan democratic and electoral processes. Foreign Minister Arreaza expressed the will of Venezuela to keep an open dialogue and communication with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini. www.mppre.gob.ve

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Tragic plane crash in Algeria

Algerians, many of them weeping, queued at a hospital on 12th of April 2018, to identify the victims of the country’s worst plane disaster which killed 257 people. The Russian Ilyushin Il-76 military transporter crashed on after takeoff from the Boufarik air base southwest of Algiers. Witnesses said a wing had caught fire. Most of the dead were soldiers but also included some members of the Polisario Front, an Algerian-backed group fighting for the independence of neighboring Western Sahara.

The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro Moros, on behalf of the Venezuelan People and Government, expresses his most heartfelt words of condolences to the brother People and Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, after the plane crash that occurred on 11th April 2018 in the province of Blida, south of Algiers, this left behind the unfortunate death of 257 people.

The Venezuelan Government prays for the deceased and sends a message of solidarity to the families and relatives of the victims. By joining the pain that grips the Algerian people, President Nicolás Maduro ratifies his solidarity in this difficult moment. www.mppre.gob.ve

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Kenya’s Second liberation hero, Kenneth Matiba, mourned JUNE 1932 - APRIL 2018

Messages of condolences have been sent from various leaders, all hailing Matiba following his death on Sunday 15th April in Kenya.

President Kenyatta says Matiba, who died at the age of 85, was at the forefront of shaping the political landscape of the country. “With the passing of Mzee Matiba, the cruel hand of death has robbed us of a devoted leader and mentor who was a role model to many. Indeed, he served the country with distinction. His accomplishments clearly demonstrate that focus, diligence, and determination pay. Those who knew him benefited immensely from his selfless leadership and wisdom,” President Kenyatta said in a televised statement from State House.

The veteran politician had been ailing for several years since he suffered a stroke while in detention during the struggle for multi-partyism. With the passing of Mzee Matiba, the cruel hand of death has robbed Kenyans of a devoted leader and mentor who was a role model to many. Indeed, he served the country with distinction. His accomplishments clearly demonstrate that focus, diligence, and determination pay. He especially noted his efforts during the clamour for multiparty democracy in 1990s and his rallying cry of “Forward Ever, Backward Never” which “helped transform the country to its current status.”

I urge Kenyans to be steadfast in defending what Matiba believed in. “If our mourning of Kenneth Matiba is to be meaningful, Kenyans ought to agree that we will never allow anyone to be harassed, arrested, deported or their business harmed because of politics …

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Why western imperial power set out to destroy Syria 1. In Syria there is no Rothschild Central Bank.

2. Syria has banned GM foods and their cultivation and importation.

3. Syria is the only Arab country that does not have debts with the International Monetary Fund or with the World Bank or with anyone else.

4. The Al Assad family belongs to the tolerant Alawite orientation of Islam.

5. Syrian women have the same rights as men such as right to study, health and education.

6. In Syria women are NOT required to wear the burka. Sharia (Islamic law) is unconstitutional.

7. Syria is the only Arab country with a Lay Constitution and does not tolerate extremist Islamist movements.

8. About 10% of the Syrian population belongs to one of the many Christian branches that have always been present in political and social life.

9. In other Arab countries, the Christian population does not reach 1% due to the harassment suffered.

10. Syria is the only Mediterranean country that still owns its oil company, which has not wanted to privatize it.

11. Syria has openness towards Western society and culture like no other Arab country.

12. Throughout history 5 Popes were of Syrian origin. Religious tolerance is unique in the area 13. Before the World Conspiracy, Syria was the only peaceful country in the area without wars or internal conflicts.

14. Syria is the only country in the world that has admitted Iraqi refugees without any social, political or religious discrimination.

15. Bashar Al Assad has an extremely popular approval.

16. Did you know that Syria has 2,500 million barrels of oil reserves, whose exploitation is reserved for state enterprises.

17. Syria opposes Zionism and the Israeli apartheid criminal.

18. The population is well informed and frequently discusses the establishment of the New World Order.

19. Syria is the last obstacle that prevents the slavery of Humanity and the creation of the Great Israel Talmudic State.

Maybe now you can understand why the United States and it’s allies have so much interest in Syria

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www.renegadeinc.com www.telesurtv.net The views and opinions expressed in these articles are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Embassy

INSIDE AFRICA:

Tanzania Ranked Highly in Investment Report

This is because an anti-corruption campaign raised its status two places in 2017 from number seven in the previous two years ago, Africa's Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) has reported. The 2017 ranking shows top ten countries for investing in Africa being Egypt, South Africa, Morocco, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Tunisia and Ivory Coast, in descending order.

"Our performance has largely beend contributed by the fifth regime's corruption crackdown efforts and facilitating corporate registrations and licensing, thanks to President John Magufuli," reads the report in part. "Recent reforms on corruption have made the investment environment favourable," economics professor Samuel Wangwe said.

"Public servants now serve businesses equally, attracting further investment considering that before the private sector had little backing from the government. This will increase foreign direct investment inflows."

"The government is fixated on boosting domestic productivity and actively reducing Tanzania's import dependence to attain middle income status, which would further enhance its investment appeal," the report explains.

Meanwhile, the continued opening up of Tanzania's capital market (debt and equity) has paved the way for portfolio investment, particularly for East Africa Community investors.

In addition, the new laws that have been enacted to increase the state's share of mining profits are likely to cap future capital flows into Tanzania's mining sector, according to report. The new mining laws, which were fast-tracked through parliament, raise royalties' tax for gold, copper, silver and platinum exports to six percent from four percent.

They also give the government the right to tear up and renegotiate contracts for natural resources and remove the right to international arbitration. However, Repoa strategic research director Abel Kinyondo is cautious. He suggests that the tax burden to investors be reduced, regulatory bodies harmonised and public-private partnerships (PPPs) strengthened.

"The tax burden scares away investors because they spend a lot on tax compared to their returns on investments." Dr Kinyondo called for the creation of a one stop shopping centre to avoid investors moving to more than 10 regulatory bodies for service. Meanwhile, PPP needs to be worked on because right now its effect has not been fully reflected in the country, said Dr Kinyondo.

"Still, PPP is not fully working. Most of tenders are carried out by government bodies than the private sector." He cited construction tenders, saying they were mostly being carried out by the Tanzania Building Agency. Recently, President John Magufuli reassured businesses that PPPs would be promoted. "We are also willing to continue providing a conducive environment for investment to make Tanzania the best place to invest in Africa." www.allafrica.com The views and opinions expressed in these articles are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Embassy

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