US accused of bid to oust Chávez with secret funds (The Guardian)

[Eugene]

US accused of bid to oust Chávez with secret funds

· Millions of dollars given to opposition, claim critics
· Venezuelan groups' details hidden from list

Duncan Campbell
Wednesday August 30, 2006
The Guardian

The US government has been accused of trying to undermine the Chávez government
in Venezuela by funding anonymous groups via its main international aid agency.

Millions of dollars have been provided in a "pro-democracy programme" that Chávez
supporters claim is a covert attempt to bankroll an opposition to defeat the
government.

The money is being provided by the US Agency for International Development (USAID)
through its Office of Transition Initiatives. The row follows the recent announcement
that the US had made $80m (£42m) available for groups seeking to bring about change
in Cuba, whose leader, Fidel Castro, is a close ally of Mr Chávez.

Information about the grants has been obtained following a Freedom of Information
request by the Associated Press. USAID released copies of 132 contracts but obscured
the names and other identifying details of nearly half the organisations.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/venezuela/story/0,,1860867,00.html

[NVMojo]

1. We, the US of A, are a corrupt nation of greedy corporate fuckers

[ThomCat]

2. Unfortunately, I think that is exactly right.

[Vitruvius]

3. Correction: we are RULED by corrupt, greedy corporate f***ers;

I think the majority are good. Which is why the majority voted against Bu$h for president -- twice.