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Caribbean-Latin America
U.S. Wants Chavez to Push for Democracy in Post-Castro Cuba
2006-08-24
Of all the dumb ideas ...
WASHINGTON — Venezuela could play an "important and useful role" should it choose to help carry out a transition to democracy in Cuba after almost 50 years of one-party rule, a senior State Department official said Wednesday.

Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon, speaking to reporters, said Venezuela has an obligation to promote democracy in Cuba under terms of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, ratified in 2001. Beyond that, Venezuela is in a position to exert influence in Cuba, Shannon said, because of the "special relationship between President Hugo Chavez and the Cuban regime."
Ohfergawdsakes. Chavez is a commie just like Fidel. All he'll do is help Raul ruin run the place.
At a time when Cuba is the lone holdout against democracy in the hemisphere, it would be "a sad thing indeed" to "find a state prepared to side with a totalitarian regime," Shannon said.
Posted by:Steve White

#8  Why doesn't State have him push it in Venezuela first?
You know, for practice...
Posted by: tu3031   2006-08-24 15:23  

#7  I thought 'foggy bottom' referred to the smell of the chairs.
Posted by: wxjames   2006-08-24 15:19  

#6  *pushing*

Love the wabbit pic!
Posted by: Lancasters Over Dresden   2006-08-24 14:21  

#5  They call it Foggy Bottom for reasons other than it having once been a swamp.

Chavez psuhing Cuba to democracy? You gotta be kidding.
Posted by: Lancasters Over Dresden   2006-08-24 14:21  

#4  At what point does the government say to shut up? In the corporate world you can get fired for talking about company policy or even just your opinions of the company online.
Posted by: rjschwarz   2006-08-24 14:03  

#3  Another proof that our State Dept is filled with nitwits.
Posted by: mcsegeek1   2006-08-24 09:45  

#2  I looked this guy up at the State Dept site and, yep, a lifelong parasite in stripey pants - who was actually posted to Venezuela for awhile back before Chavez came to power.

This has to rank as one of the dumbest public utterances by a Foggy Headed Twit this year. Maybe the decade. Man, the State stables need mucking out something awful.
Posted by: flyover   2006-08-24 05:04  

#1  Is this nut smokin' dope or has he totally flipped out ?
Posted by: SOP35/Rat   2006-08-24 01:23  

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