Ecuador president tells Bush to send troops or 'shut your mouth'

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Ecuador president tells Bush to send troops or 'shut your mouth'
The Associated Press
Published: March 14, 2008

QUITO, Ecuador: Ecuador's president is challenging U.S. President George W. Bush to send troops to the Andean nation's border with Colombia "or shut your mouth" about

Rafael Correa made the comments late Thursday in angry response to Bush's strong support for Colombia after it raided a rebel camp on Ecuadorean soil on March 1 — an act that Correa denounced as an attack on his country's sovereignty.

"Bring your soldiers Mr. Bush," Correa said during a heated speech late Thursday. "Let it be your soldiers who die along the southern border with Colombia. We'll see if the Americans, the citizens of the United States will accept tremendous atrocity.

"If not, shut your mouth and understand what is happening in Latin America."



Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/14/america/LA-GEN-Ecuador-US.php

---

Rafael Correa



_Bush and his South American ally, Álvaro Uribe

[katsy]

1. Ooooooooooh.

I love it when that man speaks "smack down"!

[LakeSamish706]

2. Good for President Rafael Correa, let the US mind there own business for a change. n/t

[roguevalley]

12. This isn't the gentleman that John Stewart had on his show that

was so impressive? I am not up on South America. Could this be him?

[noel adamson]

16. I think you are thinking of Eva Morales of Bolivia.

[roguevalley]

19. That's it. THank you. He seemed very progressive. Nice to know

people exist like that in positions of power. :)

[Texano78704]

28. Articulate

In the few minutes he was interviewed by Jon Stewart, Evo Morales demonstrated that he was more articulate than Dubya. But then, that's not saying much.

[bitchkitty]

51. Anyone is more articulate than Bunnypants, but Evo

is very well-spoken. Damned fine, too!

[rosesaylavee]

64. This cat is more articulate than Dubya...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONmhQJy1ViA

[bitchkitty]

50. It's Evo - Eva is feminine. n/t

[noel adamson]

17. Rafael Correa told Bush Ecuador would not allow the largest U.S. military base in S.A. to remain

...in Ecuador's after it's lease runs out unless Ecuador is allowed to build a military base in Florida near Miami, if I remember correctly.

[Acadia Blue]

25. If thats true is funny. All the huffing and puffing from Bush is hilarious

[wordpix]

78. hahahaha.

[AndrewJacksonFaction]

84. Miami Base?

You remember correctly.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUKADD25267520071022

[fascisthunter]

3. Ahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! (nt)

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. I bet this had ** hoppin' mad! *cackling gleefully*

[Pavulon]

5. Probably a few there..

already. We will refrain from sending any soccer balls to prevent further tensions..

[Sarah Ibarruri]

6. Love it! nt

[Sub Atomic]

7. I guess it's time to attack!!

Unka Dick, did that man tell me to shut up?
\



Yes George, he did.
\



Unka Dick, do you think we can go and git him?
\



I don't see why not George. They do have oil, after all.
\

[Faygo Kid]

8. STFU Bush. A statement always timely and in good taste.

Cheney is busy planning the attack on Iran, so it will be interesting to see how cowboy W. responds to this. The swaggering coward will no doubt consider sending other peoples' kids to their deaths to avenge the insult.

[Thickasabrick]

9. Is it me or is Correa totally hot? I know that is totally irrelevant - but

damn!

[Sanity Claws]

11. I had the same thought

[psychmommy]

14. it is absolutely relevant

telling bush to stfu made him even more sexy. i need to brush up on my south american politics. also he looked all young and dashing compared to bush and the columbian president.

[NOLALady]

41. Oh Yeah!

It's not just you!

[bagrman]

10. It's about time people of the world started to flip off Bush and his crap.

[DFW]

13. Colombia supplies us with cocain, Ecuador give us jipijapa hats

Correa never had a chance.

[stimbox]

15. Bravo President Correa!!!

Hey Bush, por que no te callas?

[laylah]

18. Yesssssssss!

Tell the *asshole to butt the f*ck out! You go President Correa!

[LuckyLib]

20. You know in private he's saying, "Let's watch him launch another invasion, and see how that goes

over in the 'homeland.'"

[SunDrop23]

21. Exactly...love this statement.

"Bring your soldiers Mr. Bush," Correa said during a heated speech late Thursday. "Let it be your soldiers who die along the southern border with Colombia. We'll see if the Americans, the citizens of the United States will accept tremendous atrocity.

"If not, shut your mouth and understand what is happening in Latin America."

Yes. bush.
Keep you mouth shut. Period.

[unkachuck]

22. that might be an effective strategy....

....if every third-world country in the world simultaneously gave us the boot and said, "...send troops or 'shut your mouth'", I'm not sure what we'd do, or could do....

....I suppose we could nuke 'em....yeah, that's the ticket, we'll nuke 'em....

[marmar]

23. De acuerdo....

Shut the fuck up and sit the fuck down, President Asshole ..... Go back to the business of screwing up your own country.
"How to Become a Pariah in One Easy Election," published by the U.S. Supreme Court, Dec. 7, 2000.

:argh:

[Initech]

24. World War III! World War III! World War III! World War III! World War III!

:sarcasm:

:banghead:

[kitfalbo]

26. Politico

Put up or shut up. Oh the joys of international politics

[Peace Patriot]

27. And Chavez told Bush where he could shove his "terrorist" list! Wow!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3227404

(not where you think--in his pocket--but still...)

[pleah]

29. WoooooHooooo!

That is funny! Good for Correa. :rofl:

[DutchLiberal]

30. Another one of my (Latin American) heroes!

Good, brave, progressive politicians are scarce, but Latin America proves they exist!

[daleo]

31. The U.S. military is suffering from imperial overstretch

And leaders of countries around the world can see that.

[Amonester]

32. WOW! Now THAT is...

romantic. Bet commander cuckoo bananas will fall in love...

[crim son]

33. What troops?

Fuck I enjoy hearing our pResident respected to exactly the degree he has earned.

[Turner Ashby]

34. Hey, Correa is pretty good looking.

He may get the calender deal this year. But, I hate to see American soldiers die because Bush gets p.o.'d and he has to prove his manhood.

[crim son]

39. Um. Yeah.

But if you've been observant you might anticipate that this is exactly what will happen. And how does one prove a negative? :shrug:

[Wizard777]

35. I like his style! But the joke's on him.

"We'll see if the Americans, the citizens of the United States will accept tremendous atrocity."

Apparently he hasn't heard about Iraq. Yes, America will accept tremendous atrocity.

[DesertRat]

36. I guess that now puts Ecuador in the "Axis of Evil"

[Politicalboi]

49. You forgot the plastic.

Just wrap it around his head and he's all set

[MetaTrope]

37. Understanding is something Bush is incapable of

After all, being a manly Texas cowboy type, he doesn't want to stand under anyone.

[Gonnuts]

38. Correa's "Bring em on"

So bush has brought America down to a level where 3rd World countries can diss us - wonderful ...

[Hardrada]

43. And not accept dollars!

[AlphaCentauri]

44. if dollar keeps sinking they may dump it for the Euro

[AlphaCentauri]

40. Finally some latina american leader gaining a well deserved respect n/t

[goforit]

42. Chuztpah!!!! .....Bully the Baby Bully is the only way!!!

[Oilwellian]

45. Poor George just didn't get no love today...

Congress told him to stick immunity and a 3rd world country is calling his bloated bluff. :rofl:

[LiberalLovinLug]

46. watch out!

That's like walking up to the stupidest biggest dipshit in the bar after he knows he's just about to get kicked out anyways because of his drunken insults and grabs at women, and replying to his liquored up bravado. Whats he got to loose?

[quakerboy]

47. Is anyone else just paranoid enough

to wonder if this Columbia situation isn't the plan to win for McCain... New war, closer to home, fear fear fear, etc?

[Peace Patriot]

59. It's not paranoid. It's been in the works for some time. Ecuador is a member of OPEC.

It has lots and lots of oil. Venezuela, member of OPEC, lots and lots of oil. Both with leftist (majorityist) governments, strongly allied with Bolivia (lots of gas, some oil), and with Argentina (big oil find there recently). These countries form the strongest 'axis of evil' in South America--all with good democratic governments committed to social justice, using their countries' resources to benefit the poor, and regional self-determination. They of course must be destroyed, and the Bush Junta has tried, literally, every dirty trick, coup plot, misuse of U.S. taxpayer money, funding of vicious, awful rightwing groups, psyops, financial bullying, you name it, to "divide and conquer" them, and topple their elected leaders, all to no avail.

Ecuador borders Colombia to the south, Venezuela to the north. The Bush Junta has larded the fascist government of Colombia (the only U.S. ally in South America) with $5 billion in military aid, to kill union workers, peasant farmers, political leftists, human rights workers and journalists ("war on drugs"), and to stoke up their war on the armed leftist guerrillas (FARC) who have been fighting the fascists for 40+ years and control about 20% of Colombia. The FARC have killed and kidnapped people, but AI and others blame most of the carnage on the Colombian security forces and closely associated rightwing paramilitaries. The last time FARC tried to demobilize, rightwing death squads murdered 4,000 of their political candidates and supporters, and FARC went back to the jungle and took up arms again.

One other trouble spot (stoked by our taxpayer money) is in Bolivia, where a white separatist movement wants to split off four provinces--the ones with the gas and oil--from the central government of Evo Morales--the first indigenous president of Bolivia (in a largely indigenous country), and a strong ally of Venezuela, Ecuador and Argentina--to deny benefit of those resources to the poor majority. This situation will likely come to crisis (fruition--from the Bushite point of view) this May with the rich, white, rightwing rural landowners declaring their "independence" and asking for Bush/U.S. support.

The situations in Colombia and Bolivia are ideal circumstances for Donald Rumsfeld's plan* to regain global corporate predator control of the oil fields in the Andes region. The President of Colombia, Uribe--the go-to guy for the Medellin Cartel in his early career, now the go-to guy for the Bush Cartel--elected by the fascist elite and kept in power by killing lots of poor voters--has been trying to spill Colombia's civil war over the border into Ecuador and Venezuela, with border incidents, for some time.

Venezuela and Ecuador, in turn--along with the presidents of France, Argentina and others--have been trying to get a peace process started to settle Colombia's long civil war. Venezuela--at Colombia's invitation! (later withdrawn under Bushite pressure**)--began negotiations for release of FARC hostages, and successfully freed six hostages this year, events that Bush/Uribe tried hard to sabotage, but failed. Ecuador and France were negotiating for 12 more hostage releases (including a dual French-Colombia citizen), when Colombia BOMBED a FARC jungle camp inside the Ecuadoran border--using U.S. ordnance and surveillance--and then sent soldiers over the border to shoot any survivors. They thus killed the chief FARC hostage negotiator and main hope for peace, Raul Reyes, and 24 others, including visiting Mexican students, who were apparently there to participate in the hostage release. Uribe lied to President Correa that it was "hot pursuit." Ecuador's military found bodies in their pajamas and underwear, some shot in the back. They had all been asleep.

Bush/Uribe claim to have "evidence" from a FARC laptop that survived the bombing that Chavez and Correa are terrorist-lovers--"evidence" with about as much credibility as the Niger/Iraq nuke forgeries.*** There was a concerted effort by truly elected, legit presidents of at least FOUR countries to bring about peace. Bush/Uribe fucked it up, deliberately--and now are trying to turn the mess they've made (chaos = opportunity--Rumsfeld strategy) into Oil War II (aka "the war on terra") in South America.

Two other preps for Oil War II were occurring simultaneously. 1. Exxon Mobil took legal action to free $12 billion in Venezuela's assets, over a dispute about Venezuela's 60% share in its own oil--a deal that Norway's Statoil, France's Total, British BP and even Chevron had agreed to. Exxon Mobil's purpose--financial warfare, destabilization, weakening Venezuela. 2. Donald Rumsfeld published an op-ed on Dec 1 07, the weekend of the first scheduled hostage release, negotiated by Chavez, entitled, "The Smart Way To Beat Tyrants Like Chavez"*, in which Rumsfeld, among other things, calls for "swift action" by the U.S. in support of "friends and allies" in South America--which, in my opinion, mostly has to do with Bolivia, and U.S. military intervention in support of the white separatists.

I believe that Rumsfeld is orchestrating Oil War II: South America. It's a trickier situation than Iraq. They have to topple DEMOCRACIES, where the leaders enjoy widespread, strong popular support, and on a continent that now has leftist (majorityist) governments in Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile and Nicaragua. The only exceptions are: Colombia (fascist, propped up with billions of our tax dollars in military aid); Peru (which has corrupt "free tradists" in charge, but almost elected a real leftist); and Paraguay (center-right government which, surprisingly, JOINED the Bank of the South, a Chavez project that is driving the World Bank loan sharks out of the region, and where the beloved "bishop of the poor," Fernando Lugo, a leftist, will likely be elected president this year).

In summary, good leftist government, social justice and regional self-determination are the future in South America. That is the overwhelming trend. Against this tide, the Bushites have had to figure out how to create violent, angry divisions and fascist enclaves from which they can launch serious trouble. They don't have much strategic ground--and they are losing ground. For instance, Ecuador's president has pledged not to renew the lease for the U.S. military base in Ecuador, when it expires in 2009. And if Ecuador, Venezuela, Argentina and France had been able to broker a peace in Colombia, that excuse for U.S./Bush violence and political meddling would be much reduced. It is both a difficult strategic situation for the Bushites, and an urgent one. Although they have control of the voting machines in the U.S., it is not easy to predict what will happen--we could conceivable outvote the machines and elect a peace-minded president (Obama) or one who, though she speaks Bushite rhetoric on South America, may feel political constraints as to which oil wars she can support.

I think Rumsfeld definitely thinks the time is NOW--and a major fracas involving a Bolivian separatist state, and/or Colombian hostilities against Venezuela/Ecuador, would also be a live hand grenade thrown into the middle of the November elections. By calling Chavez a "tyrant" (he is not--but they lie about it relentlessly), and calling him and Rafael Correa "terrorist lovers," and every other name in their lexicon of lies, they are certainly building up to SOMETHING. And I think I've got its outlines. I've been following developments in South America for some time now. I think Rumsfeld's plan for Oil War II is, in fact, in motion. And if he can't get direct U.S. military intervention, he has other forces to use--Colombian military/security forces, and associated rightwing paramilitaries and mercenaries (including Blackwater) in Colombia, and rightwing paramilitary cells which he is funding through USAID-NED and covert budgets, and no doubt from the billions in cash stolen from us in Iraq, within Bolivia, Venezuela and probably Ecuador and Argentina (and possibly other countries). He can launch an essentially private war that could go on for several years, with Colombia and separatist Bolivia as the staging areas.

I am convinced that Rumsfeld & co. will ultimately fail, but I do think they mean to stir up major trouble, and soon. I think that's one of the reasons why Venezuela and Ecuador quickly de-escalated the situation that Colombia/Washington had created by bombing Ecuador. They understood what a trap it was--not just a Uribe betrayal, but a Rumsfeld-designed war trap. They would win such a war, but they DON'T WANT war. That was the whole point of what they were doing, with the hostage releases and peace talks. Now they have to get that process back on track. Important also is that they are backed by virtually all of South America. Nobody likes Uribe, or Bush, or the Colombian civil war, or the Colombian paramilitaries, or the big Colombian cocaine/weapons trafficking. These are major threats to everybody's peace and security. And all condemned Colombia's violation of Ecuador's territory.

Also notable: Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia all oppose the corrupt, murderous U.S. "war on drugs." They are very aggressive at catching and prosecuting major drug lords, but they handle it as a police matter, not a "war." Coca leaf chewing or tea drinking--common throughout the Andes, and legal--is an entirely different matter from cocaine manufacture and trafficking (a lethal, criminal enterprise which, somehow, the U.S. "war on drugs" never stops). The Bushites hate these countries for not buying into fascist militarism and war profiteering, and probably for interfering with Bush Cartel syndicates.

----------

*"The Smart Way to Beat Tyrants Like Chávez," by Donald Rumsfeld, 12/1/07
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/30/AR2007113001800.html

**How did it come about that Colombia's Alvaro Uribe (Bush lapdog) invited Venezuela's Hugo (tyrant, dictator, terrorist-lover, drug trafficker, coca leaf chewer, friend of Fidel Castro, called Bush "the Devil") Chavez to negotiate hostage releases with the FARC? I think it goes back to the plot to assassinate Chavez, hatched in the Colombian military and by close associates of Uribe, that got exposed by courageous prosecutors. Uribe was obliged to apologize to Chavez, in a four hour meeting. Chavez is wordy. It took that long for him to say, "Okay, I accept your apology. You want to join the rest of the continent now in planning our future prosperity without U.S. domination? Let me broker a peace with FARC, starting with hostage negotiations." Uribe either went temporarily insane, thinking about peace and prosperity, and later reniged, under Bushite pressure, OR, agreed to invite Chavez to do this, with the secret intention of using the opportunity to up his FARC kill "score," by drawing FARC out of the jungle. (The first two hostages have reported they were under heavy Colombian military fire as they were released. Several FARC negotiators were arrested, in transit with "proof of life" to Chavez. And then there's Raul Reyes, the chief FARC hostage negotiator, whom Colombia just bombed, in violation of Ecuador's territory.) In any case, Uribe PUBLICLY announced that he had invited Chavez to negotiate hostage releases, then called it off, with a lame excuse, just before the first two were to be released (same weekend as Rumsfeld's op-ed).

***Greg Palast examines the FARC laptop "evidence"
http://www.gregpalast.com/300-million-from-chavez-to-farc-a-fake/

Recommended sites:
www.BoRev.net (hilarious AND informative)
www.venezuelanalysis.com (informative)

[ms liberty]

63. Thanks, Peace Patriot!

This is an incredibly informative post. I really haven't kept up with the intricacies of everything that's been going on in South America as well as I'd like to, so this was an excellent primer for me!

[Peace Patriot]

67. Here's a very good, detailed article on U.S./Bush strategic situation in South Americ

http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/5042

It names names (DynCorp, for instance) re war profiteering, discusses the Manta, Ecuador, base and its probable involvement--aircraft, bombs and surveillance--in the attack on Ecuador, a radar base in Peru (temporarily bought off with "free trade" benefiting the rich), U.S. forces (1,400 soldiers and mercenaries) and many U.S. military installations in Colombia, and South American opposition to U.S. militarization of their continent.

[Duer 157099]

77. Also thanks for great post

I've been reading John Perkins' 2 books (Confessions of an Economic Hitman, and Secret History of the American Empire) and I'm glad to see that some of the neocon old tricks don't seem to be working as well these days.

[Peace Patriot]

79. Yeah, I agree about the "old tricks" not working so good any more.

It's easy to lose perspective--given OUR situation--suffering under a fascist junta, with daily horrors being done in our name, and fast becoming a "banana republic" ourselves (the biggest "banana republic" ever!). The Left is WINNING is South America. Democracy is WINNING. And tired old shit--like that "suitcase full of money" Bush/CIA caper out of Miami, to "divide and conquer" Venezuela-Argentina--are just laughed at, in South America.

I do think Rumsfeld & co. want to stir up a raft of shit in South America before Bush-Cheney leave office (if they do--we have that to worry about as well), but I don't think they can or will win in South America. We will just become a more divided hemisphere, with the South Americans following their own path, totally disgusted with us. And it will take decades to repair relations--just as everywhere else in the world. But one positive thing--I find South America very inspiring, and I hope others will, too, as they learn what's really happening. They actually have TRANSPARENT elections, and can elect good governments. Imagine! They are showing us the way. (1. Grass roots organization. 2. Transparent vote counting. 3. Think big!)

[Politicalboi]

48. Does this mean Bush has to learn Latin?

English is hard enough for him. Well maybe we could have another "romantic" war and Bush himself can fight in it. Now where's that jet?

[New Dawn]

52. If only we had some politicians who were as brave as this guy.

Instead, our politicians are too scared to even try impeaching a failed president who's approval ratings are in the 20s and lower 30s.

[Vektor]

53. Is there any oil to be procured at the Colombian/Ecuadorian border?

If not, Bushie sha'nt be sending any troops.

[ima_sinnic]

54. I sense another "evil dictator" being spun by the *co propaganda machine

Correa will soon be being demonized by the US media machine and denounced along with Chavez. The anti-Chavez gang of progressive forum-infiltrating trolls will soon hit the internets to do their duty.

[dhill926]

55. Viva Ecuador!!!!......n/t

[glowing]

56. Just a 411 for ya'll, Special Forces are headed big time into South America

for a good 6 to 8 months.. They are in training now; expected out in May/ June. Three options: Iraq, Afghanistan, or South America.

[EFerrari]

65. Pakistan.

[glowing]

66. Perhaps even Iran...

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

57. Watch the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLWPAE85d24&feature=user

[Judi Lynn]

61. Thanks! Gotta watch it again. n/t

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

62. Here is another one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8EwPFhbF8k&feature=related

[Judi Lynn]

70. Ashamed to admit it, but I can't keep up with the speech. Too long since taking Spanish classes.

I was transfixed when Uribe gobbled "comunista" suddenly at Correa, but I just couldn't figure out how Rafael Correa dealt with it.

It did look as if Correa was all over him. I could tell he told Uribe he didn't want peace, he wanted war, and that what Uribe had done was an aggression, and a violation of Ecuador's sovereignty, and I could pick out the word "lie" at times. It was interesting seeing Uribe lose complete voice control as usual again. He looked as if he'd been dipped in #### as he listened to Correa. The people around Correa appeared to support him completely, and with gusto.

The people with Uribe looked nervous.

Now I am REALLY interested in finding out what Correa said. It must have been powerful!

I've made a look already for a transcript of the meeting, after seeing your video the first time, but I haven't found anything.

If you see anything later on with a transcript involved in it, please post it.

Thnaks for the chance to see these guys in action. I've only had the still images from the internet to go by, earlier. It adds a whole new dimension when you can study their manner, posture, facial expression, "body language," tone of voice, confidence, as it tells you who believes he is right, and who is obviously trying to pull a fast one. There's not a shred of doubt about who's right on this one!

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

73. "My dear Dominican friends be very careful. If pres Uribe thinks there is

another "Raul Reyes" hiding hiding in your country he'll drop bombs all over the place too. if they find a supposed computer he'll say that you are the ones to blame for his attacking you."

Uribe cuts in "We would capture him with the cooperation of the Dominican authorities if that were the case."

Correa replies "Calm down pres. Uribe take it easy, relax." he laughs

Uribe replies "No no don't throw that cynicism at me. That same cynicism that those who are nostalgic for communism use to fool their people."

Correa then apologizes to all those present to all Dominicans for what he calls Uribe's tantrum.

Leonel Fernandez calls for no more interruptions.

Correa - "Dear Leonel dear colleagues it is very difficult to believe the lies coming from someone who lies so much and so often." referring to Uribe. "After all the ridiculous statements the president has made about fake computers. let him present all the evidence and I'll guarantee you that I will call for a commission run by MY OPPOSITION in Ecuador to investigate this whole matter. These hands my dear compatriots and colleagues have no blood on them." <As he waves his hands>

That's the gist of it.

[Judi Lynn]

76. Amazing! Well, that puts the needed structure in place which was missing.

That "communism" crack was so predictable, wasn't it? When these assholes have nothing to say, but want to strike out, they call someone a "communist."

There's no one as cynical as a man who uses death squads.

Thank you very, very much for taking the time to shine a light on that meeting for DU'ers who aren't as fluent as they really wish they were.

[Peace Patriot]

83. Thanks! I didn't know Correa offered to give the mystery computer to his OPPOSITION

to investigate! What a hoot!

That would be kind of like Bush offering to give the 5,000 deleted Rove emails to Henry Waxman and John Conyers. Go at it, boys! See if you can prove we are criminals! Never happen, of course. But the OPENNESS of Rafael Correa to his OPPOSITION investigating him is so different from what we are used to, eh? It's startling. Oh, THAT'S a good president! Aha! Almost forgot what it was like (our last--Jimmy Carter, really--but Clinton wasn't so bad on open government, all in all--certainly let Ken Starr have a field day).

I watched that vid--and couldn't understand most of the words--but, wow, the body language! It was REAL CLEAR who these people were, and who was in the right, and who was in the (very) wrong, just watching faces and postures.

And THIS is why Correa said "my hands have no blood on them"! It was reported out of context. He was talking about bloody-handed Uribe daring to accuse anyone of "terrorism."

Thanks so much for this translation!

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

87. No problem, any time. n/t

[Judi Lynn]

72. Time to throw in the photo of Uribe attending the inauguration of Rafael Correa

not that long ago! You could see how well liked and respected he was even then.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

74. He looks as "comfortable" as I would at a young republican convention. n/t

[liberal N proud]

58. The world is tired of this monsters bull shit

[Canuckistanian]

60. Uh oh. Guess who won't be invited to the Crawford Pig Farm this year?

ANOTHER foreign relations disaster. Who could have predicted it?

[tibbiit]

68. when ever i see pictures of boosh

when he is with other people looking at them... he always looks like he is going to lick their faces or put their hair in his mouth and chew.
lol
tib

[Judi Lynn]

71. Truly! He's completely immature. I think the world of ideas is simply beyond him.

He has to amuse himself with grabbing people, rubbing bald heads, "teasing" people, making crude jokes.

Pity!

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

75. He reminds me of Steve Martin acting "retarded" at the dinner table in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. n/t

[OKthatsIT]

69. BUSH & COLUMBIA MAFIA

It runs in the family. So, sending troops isn't necessary. WHY?

BECAUSE HW Bush has has his troops in Columbia for 40 yrs. He's the biggest DRUG CZAR in US history. Don't believe me? Go ask Bill Clinton about not inhauling...then ask him if it went up his nose.

[xxqqqzme]

80. Ah, the asshole-soon-to-be-gone-fever

is taking hold.

[Judi Lynn]

81. You just may have a point there! We'd better not take that blessed event for granted, however!

People as anal and sadistic as the _Bush fascists just may have another filthy trick up their creepy sleeves to allow them to extend their reign of terror.

[Judi Lynn]

82. Shut up, Mr Bush

Shut up, Mr Bush
Author: PTI Date: 16 Mar 2008
Presidents of Equador and Venezuela react to USA’s allegations and proposals


QUITO: Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa has told US President George W Bush to either send US troops to the border with Colombia or “shut up,” in response to criticism that Ecuador harbors Colombian rebels.

“Mr Bush, bring over your soldiers, let your soldiers be the ones who get killed at the southern border with Colombia,” Correa said two weeks after Bogota raided a Colombian rebel camp inside Ecuador, killing a top rebel leader.

“Let’s see if American citizens will accept such a tremendous barbarity. Otherwise, shut up and try to understand what’s happening in Latin America,” President Rafael added.
(snip)

“We shouldn’t forget for an instant that we’re in a battle against North American imperialism and that they have classified us as enemies — at least in this continent, they have us as enemy number one,” Chavez said.

http://www.mid-day.com/web/guest/news/international/article?_EXT_5_articleId=1044968&_EXT_5_groupId=14

[Judi Lynn]

85. Bush and Uribe v. Chavez and Correa

Bush and Uribe v. Chavez and Correa

by Stephen Lendman

Global Research, March 9, 2008

Call it another salvo in Bush v. Chavez with Ecuador's Raphael Correa as a secondary target and Colombia's Alvaro Uribe as a proxy aggressor. The Ecuadorean incursion was no ordinary cross-border raid. It was a made in Washington affair that escalates a nine year attempt to remove the Venezuelan leader and return oligarchs in the country to power. It also threatens two regional leaders who know what they're up against in Uribe and Washington, "friendly" handshakes in the Dominican Republic notwithstanding. The situation is far from settled, and here's how events unfolded so far:

-- on March 1, the Colombian military illegally entered Ecuadorean air space and invaded on the ground; the target was a FARC-EP rebel camp; US intelligence was key by identifying the precise location to bomb through satellite telephone tracking; Colombian Radio Cadena Nacional (RCN) reported it heard a FARC-EP leader - Chavez conversation three days before the raid; Colombian Noticias Uno TV said "foreign spy planes" photographed FARC-EP's precise location for the country's military to use in the raid;

-- it's also known that US Special Forces train Colombian counterinsurgents, accompany them on missions, and likely participated (covertly) in the March 1 operation;

-- Colombian (and likely US) forces attacked and slaughtered over 20 people in total, including 16 Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FACR-EP) members while they slept;

-- among the dead was FARC-EP's second-in-command, Raul Reyes; he was FARC-EP's public voice, its key peace negotiator since the 1990s, and the lead figure in the Chavez-arranged hostage releases; that and his prominence made him a target so his death may disrupt the process and current efforts toward resolving a 40 year conflict equitably; Washington wants it halted, so does Uribe, and that's where things now stand;

-- Hugo Chavez and other Latin American leaders were united in condemning the hostile act; the 35-member Organization of American States, however, was tepid in its formal March 5 response; Correa called it welcome but inadequate and insists on a formal condemnation; Chavez was even more forceful saying: "We demand condemnation of the Colombian government for this aberrant act," he called it a "war crime (and blamed the crisis on the US) empire and its lackeys;"

-- ahead of the March 7 Dominican Republic XX Rio Group Summit of Latin American leaders, foreign ministers from Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil and Peru issued a statement demanding respect for their national sovereignty; Chavez called the meeting "positive" and advocated "cooling tensions;" he supported Ecuador and said: "We don't want war;"

-- Chavez, Correa and Uribe exchanged cool handshakes and pro forma conciliatory statements at the Summit; for what it's worth, Uribe issued a "formal apology" to the Ecuadorean government and its people; call it disingenuous diplomacy; it settles nothing in spite of how the media played it;

-- one example is correspondent Simon Romero of The New York Times; he's always disingenuous and never neutral; he reported "handshakes and warm embraces....ended the dispute" as though nothing ever happened and it's again business as usual; in fact, nothing is settled; the incident still simmers, it's just a matter of time before the next one erupts, and Chavez, Correa and other regional leaders know it; so does Washington that plans them;

-- earlier, Chavez also called Colombia the "Israel of Latin America" saying both countries claimed "a supposed right to defense," to bomb and invade neighbors on orders from Washington;

-- Uribe confirmed it by saying he "refused to rule out future military incursions into Ecuador or Venezuela," so expect more provocations ahead with full Washington backing;

-- at the same time, huge crowds of Colombians at home and abroad marched for peace and against terrorist acts; they denounced violence on both sides and want it ended, but a new disturbing report came out:

-- the Colombia weekly Semana wrote that ex-Israeli military men are fighting guerrilla organizations (meaning the FARC-EP and ELN), and Defense Minister Juan Santos confirmed that "A group of former Israeli military officials (including three senior generals, a lower ranking officer and three translators) is counseling the military's top brass on intelligence issues;" in addition, FARC-EP claims that Israeli commandos were engaged against them along with US and British forces.

More:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=8287

[Peace Patriot]

86. I think they very wisely avoided war, whatever it took. And I think Chavez

realized this before Correa did. Chavez is a lot more experienced on the world scene. Correa (elected last year) was fuming--at the violation of Ecuador's space, at Uribe's lies and betrayal, at the violent ending of the peace process/hostages release that he was quite involved in, and --from his recent remarks to Bush --particularly angry at U.S. complicity (which may well have included not just U.S. bombs and surveillance, but also U.S. aircraft out of the Manta, Ecuador base--that must really bother Correa, a U.S. base on his own soil attacking his country).

Anyway, this "war" was Rumsfeld-designed and was trap for both of them. Having figured this out, myself, I now understand Chavez's behavior at the Rio conference. Correa was still steaming with anger (and on him it looks good--what a gorgeous man he is!). But Chavez was bouncing around the room, all smiles and jolly, warmly shaking Uribe's hand, etc. I think he knew, at that point, that they had just barely avoided the disaster of a war that they were not prepared for. He did exactly the right thing by sending battalions to Venezuela's border, in concert with Correa--both to reassure Correa that he was not alone, and to warn Uribe that he was biting off more than he could chew. And then he had to de-escalate it (Chavez), and assess the situation, and--important--work on their alliances, within the OAS.

You see, I think Chavez didn't think Uribe would go this far. I think he was holding out hope that Uribe might finally begin to act in South America's interest. But Uribe is hopelessly corrupt, and is not a saveable soul. And Chavez has to face the fact that the whole hostage thing--Uribe's initial invitation to Chavez to undertake hostage negotiations--was a set-up FROM THE BEGINNING. Uribe set him up--and the instigation of the Bushites. I was also uncertain about this, early on. Was it genuine on Uribe's part--and then, when Chavez starting being successful at it (the eve of the release of the first two hostages--Dec 07), the Bushites pulled Uribe's strings, and forced him to renige on it, and jumped in to sabotage it? That's what it looked like THEN.

But what it looks like now is that the whole thing was part of Rumsfeld's game plan. Don't forget that Rumsfeld published his op-ed in the Washington Post ("The Smart Way to Defeat Tyrants Like Chavez"), the SAME WEEKEND that the first hostages were to be released. He's been involved in this all along. And it smells of him as well--his "chaos = opportunity" M.O. (so he creates chaos).

But back to the OAS. This situation--Rumsfeld implementing his war plan--could be very good for South America, pulling them strongly together at last--not for a war, but to firmly fend off a war, and also for achieving a political settlement in Colombia's civil war, and pushing the U.S. out of their continent-- or, it could cause cracks in every alliance and friendship, and destroy many gains in social justice and regional autonomy. The latter is Rumsfeld's goal--setting one against another, isolating and picking off the weak, dividing and conquering, destabilizing and toppling good governments, installing fascists where he can, and regaining control of the oil.

I think the OAS resolution--tepid as it was--was a very good thing, in crisis circumstances. That's why Chavez looked so happy and relieved. Correa doesn't see it that way, because he's still mad--and not very experienced. But he will come to understand how important this was. They got the entire OAS--of which the Bush/U.S. is a member--to agree that Uribe had unlawfully violated Ecuador's territory, and, however much Uribe lied that he wouldn't do it again, he did say it. This gives the weaker members of the OAS legal and moral ground to stand on--if and when this happens again.

And now is when Rumsfeld is going to switch strategies and try to throw them off balance again. He did not succeed in this case. He did NOT draw Ecuador into retaliating. I think his next move is going to be Bolivia--the white separatists are going to declare their "independence" and Rumsfeld is going urge Bush to put U.S. troops on the ground to support them (depending on what Evo Morales does). And this is going to be a major challenge for the OAS, the Rio group, and the Bolivarians (Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina, Nicaragua and Bolivia). What are they going to do in the face of a split-up of Bolivia--with a U.S.-backed fascist enclave in the separatist provinces? Or, what can they do now to head it off?

A very, very sticky problem. Chavez, Correa, the Kirchners, Lulu in Brazil and others --and Morales himself--need to deal with this. This is their weak spot. This is the ground of yet another provocation and potential war. And THIS is why it is such a good thing that they got the OAS resolution, got great support at the Rio group--and exposed Uribe as the treacherous criminal he is--and did not get in a shooting war with Colombia. They can't do both. They have to strengthen Bolivia, and their alliances, before they can deal with Colombia. If they had gotten into a shooting war with Colombia, and Bolivia erupted in the midst of it (Rumsfeld's plan?), they would have been seriously divided--as to their attention, their military forces, their ability to help Morales, and managing relations among South America's countries in crisis circumstances.

They have got to solve Bolivia first. Some compromise needs to be worked out, so that Morales does not have to use force, to try to hold the country together. It's a bad situation--and so much like the situation of our civil war as to make me shudder. Granting autonomy to these rightwing provinces would divide Bolivia on racial lines. Anyway, that is next tinder box that needs to be de-fused--to foil Rumsfeld's plan of igniting several conficts.