Post by RandomCommunist on May 3, 2005 18:33:59 GMT -5
May 2
Venezuelan workers defend socialism
By Roberto Jorquera, Caracas
Though no official estimates where given many of the organisers
speculated that over one million workers marched through the streets
of Caracas in defence of national soverignty, workers control and for
socialism. The rally organised by the UNT (National Union of Workers)
was a significant change in the political terrain of Trade Unionism in
Venezuela. For the past fours years there has been seperate May Day
commemorations, one organised by the (CTV) Central Union of Workers
which has been opposed to the Chavez reforms and that of the pro
Chavez forces now firmly united behind the UNT. One clear aspect that
differentiated the protest was the call by CTV to the government that
it should free political prisoners held in Venezuela. By political
prisoners the CTV included its es President that has been jailed for
his support of the 2002 military coup and his role in the organisation
of the workers lock out in December of the same year.
Oswald Vera, a National Coordinator for the UNT said,´´The workers of
Venezuela have shown that they support socialism and the revolutionary
methods that have been implemented... while the CTV is a symbol of the
old unionism which has been demonstrated today has very little
support´´. ´´ The workers of Venezuela have said that that they are
prepared to defend the factories and are part of the reserves so as to
defend the country against any foreign intervention´´ said, Vera.
Francisco Torrealba another of the National Coordinators of the UNT
said,´´It is clear from todays protest that the UNT firmly represents
unity, workers co management and socialism while the CTV is a bad
memory of the past that has stained the union movement for the past 40
years´´.
Workers control
One of the main themes of the May Day rally was for the UNT to present
a document to Chavez so that it be discussed, debated and adopted in
the National Assembly. The document entitled Project for the law of
Participation of Workers in the Management of Public and Private
Enterprises. Elias Jaua, Minister for the Popular Economy said that,
´´the cooperative method that has been constructed is a democratic and
participatory method that aims to construct a socialism of the 21st
Century.´´We are aiming for equal distribution and so that workers are
part of deciding what, how and who should be producing products... we
aim to democratise production and consumption of products in
society´´, say Jaua.
But the highlight of the demonstration that ended at Puente Llaguno
(where people where killed defending the Chavez government during the
coup of April 11, 2002) was the presence by Hugo Chavez. The march
that gathered at 9am was still arriving at the end point at 2pm.Chavez
who had has just returned from Cuba after signing another 49 joint
agreements between the two countries launched into a speech that
outlined Venezuela´s socialism that lasted over two hours. The speech
was along the same tones as that of Fidel Castro´s speeches during the
early years of the Cuban revolution.
Throughout his speech Chavez reiterated what the process that was
developing was in Venezuela, that of one that sought to fundamentally
transform the economy, social and political system.
Chavez began by highlighting his recent trip to Cuba that sought
further political, economic and social intergration of the two
countries.´´Our models of intergration include liberty and equality...
and they are incompatible with the laws of capitalism´´, said Chavez.
It was also noted the steps that had been taken in further developing
ABLA (Bolivarian Alternative for Latin America).
In his speech Chavez also payed respect to the martyres of May Day,
the workers of Chicago, and sent revolutionary greetings to the people
of the United States. Chavez said,´´Today we are taking back the real
tradition of May Day after 40 years of a degenerated unionism
represented by the CTV´´.
A new society
But there was no doubt that Chavez also used the speech to highlight
the tasks ahead for the revolutionary process and to prepare the mass
of workers for the struggles that will continue to be faced.
´´It is only the beginning of the process, we are just beginning to
construct a new state, institutions and a new society... we are just
taking the first few steps in the new economy, in production in
property relations and so we must not have any illusions and we must
not yet chant that we have won´´, say Chavez.
Chavez also stressed throughout his speech that more work had to be
done to unite the revolutionary forces, in which people responded with
chants of El Pueblo Unido Jamas sera Vencido (The people united will
never be defeated). Banners also read, ´´without a revolutionary party
there can be no revolution´´. Chavez used the opportunity to condemn
the fighting that had errupted within the MVR between the supporters
of Freddy Bernal, Mayor of Libertador of Caracas and Juan Barreto,
Mayor of the Municipality of Caracs. He made a public invitaion for
them to all have lunch to discuss their differences and to come to an
agreement. ´´Some of the key issues for the people of Caracas was the
problem of rubbish and safe streets´´, said Chavez. ´´We need unity,
unity and more unity if not they should resign and allow the people of
Caracas to elect officials that really represent them´´, said Chavez.
Much of his speech was dedicated to the theme of building a new
society and explaining what that meant. In that framework Chavez
ssaid, ´´In the process of building a new society we must be critical
of ourselfs and must work towards what Che defined as the building of
a new human being in society. Chavez commented that it was necessary
to lead by example so us to construct a new society and win more
people to the revolutionary cause. ´´The aim must be to gain 10
million votes at the next Presidential elections that are to be held
in December 2006´´, said Chavez. In terms of encouraging people to
further develop a revolutionary consciousness Chavez used the example
of Che. ´´Che was more than just a martyre, more than just a heroic
guerrilla fighter, he was also a Minister in the Cuban government and
developed many ideas on how to build the new socialist society... we
must study and learn from his thoughts´´., said Chavez.
´´We are a country that has resources so that every Venezuelan can
live in dignity... and we will be in a position within a few years to
start to send Venezuelan doctors to parts of the underdeveloped world
as Cuba has done for decades´´,said Chavez. Chavez also noted that
Cuba had just approved scholorships for up to 10,000 Venezuelan
doctors to study in Cuba.
Capitalism not the answer
´´The Capitalist system does not allow us to implement our
constitution or the political, economic or social project that we
want´´, said Chavez. Chavez made it clear that capitalism was not the
answer to the problems facing Venezuela, Latin America or the world.
He also made it clear that there was no third road. ´´We need to march
for a new socialism of the 21st century... so that we can build a new
political and social socialist system´´. ´´We are in a transitional
situation which has taken affect since 1998 and needs to be
continuosely planned´´, said Chavez.´´To construct socialism we need
to break capitalist economic laws... the traditional economic
orthodoxy is not compatible with a revolutionary economy, said Chavez.
Chavez said that the process that was being implemented in Venzuela
was that of a revolutionary democracy that aims to redefine socialism
in the 21st century. As part of this project Chavez explained the
process of workers co management that was being introduced in
factories across the country. He used the example of the the workers
at the INVEPAL (Venezuelan Industry for Pulp and Paper Production)
factory in Maracy.´´INVEPAL is now a factory that strives to build
socialism´´, said Chavez. The workers at the factory now are part of
the management community and decide how, what and when things are
produced so that it helps to further develop the factory and the local
and national economy. As part of this process to increase production
Chavez invited all industries in Veenzuela that where not functioning
at 100% to work with the government to increase production. Chavez
said, ´´We invite all industry to be part of the new society...we will
help every industry to expand production and will provide the funding
to do so, however the only condition is that workers be allowed to be
part of the management´´. Chavez also said if industry was not being
used or had been abandoned then the government would move to
expropriate them. The aim said Chavez was to, ´´move from a
revolutionary democracy to socialism this year... and that it was
critical for political parties to be consolidated in this process´´.
In his conclusion Chavez said that,´´ we need to break all the chains
of the past that have held us back´´.
Venezuelan workers defend socialism
By Roberto Jorquera, Caracas
Though no official estimates where given many of the organisers
speculated that over one million workers marched through the streets
of Caracas in defence of national soverignty, workers control and for
socialism. The rally organised by the UNT (National Union of Workers)
was a significant change in the political terrain of Trade Unionism in
Venezuela. For the past fours years there has been seperate May Day
commemorations, one organised by the (CTV) Central Union of Workers
which has been opposed to the Chavez reforms and that of the pro
Chavez forces now firmly united behind the UNT. One clear aspect that
differentiated the protest was the call by CTV to the government that
it should free political prisoners held in Venezuela. By political
prisoners the CTV included its es President that has been jailed for
his support of the 2002 military coup and his role in the organisation
of the workers lock out in December of the same year.
Oswald Vera, a National Coordinator for the UNT said,´´The workers of
Venezuela have shown that they support socialism and the revolutionary
methods that have been implemented... while the CTV is a symbol of the
old unionism which has been demonstrated today has very little
support´´. ´´ The workers of Venezuela have said that that they are
prepared to defend the factories and are part of the reserves so as to
defend the country against any foreign intervention´´ said, Vera.
Francisco Torrealba another of the National Coordinators of the UNT
said,´´It is clear from todays protest that the UNT firmly represents
unity, workers co management and socialism while the CTV is a bad
memory of the past that has stained the union movement for the past 40
years´´.
Workers control
One of the main themes of the May Day rally was for the UNT to present
a document to Chavez so that it be discussed, debated and adopted in
the National Assembly. The document entitled Project for the law of
Participation of Workers in the Management of Public and Private
Enterprises. Elias Jaua, Minister for the Popular Economy said that,
´´the cooperative method that has been constructed is a democratic and
participatory method that aims to construct a socialism of the 21st
Century.´´We are aiming for equal distribution and so that workers are
part of deciding what, how and who should be producing products... we
aim to democratise production and consumption of products in
society´´, say Jaua.
But the highlight of the demonstration that ended at Puente Llaguno
(where people where killed defending the Chavez government during the
coup of April 11, 2002) was the presence by Hugo Chavez. The march
that gathered at 9am was still arriving at the end point at 2pm.Chavez
who had has just returned from Cuba after signing another 49 joint
agreements between the two countries launched into a speech that
outlined Venezuela´s socialism that lasted over two hours. The speech
was along the same tones as that of Fidel Castro´s speeches during the
early years of the Cuban revolution.
Throughout his speech Chavez reiterated what the process that was
developing was in Venezuela, that of one that sought to fundamentally
transform the economy, social and political system.
Chavez began by highlighting his recent trip to Cuba that sought
further political, economic and social intergration of the two
countries.´´Our models of intergration include liberty and equality...
and they are incompatible with the laws of capitalism´´, said Chavez.
It was also noted the steps that had been taken in further developing
ABLA (Bolivarian Alternative for Latin America).
In his speech Chavez also payed respect to the martyres of May Day,
the workers of Chicago, and sent revolutionary greetings to the people
of the United States. Chavez said,´´Today we are taking back the real
tradition of May Day after 40 years of a degenerated unionism
represented by the CTV´´.
A new society
But there was no doubt that Chavez also used the speech to highlight
the tasks ahead for the revolutionary process and to prepare the mass
of workers for the struggles that will continue to be faced.
´´It is only the beginning of the process, we are just beginning to
construct a new state, institutions and a new society... we are just
taking the first few steps in the new economy, in production in
property relations and so we must not have any illusions and we must
not yet chant that we have won´´, say Chavez.
Chavez also stressed throughout his speech that more work had to be
done to unite the revolutionary forces, in which people responded with
chants of El Pueblo Unido Jamas sera Vencido (The people united will
never be defeated). Banners also read, ´´without a revolutionary party
there can be no revolution´´. Chavez used the opportunity to condemn
the fighting that had errupted within the MVR between the supporters
of Freddy Bernal, Mayor of Libertador of Caracas and Juan Barreto,
Mayor of the Municipality of Caracs. He made a public invitaion for
them to all have lunch to discuss their differences and to come to an
agreement. ´´Some of the key issues for the people of Caracas was the
problem of rubbish and safe streets´´, said Chavez. ´´We need unity,
unity and more unity if not they should resign and allow the people of
Caracas to elect officials that really represent them´´, said Chavez.
Much of his speech was dedicated to the theme of building a new
society and explaining what that meant. In that framework Chavez
ssaid, ´´In the process of building a new society we must be critical
of ourselfs and must work towards what Che defined as the building of
a new human being in society. Chavez commented that it was necessary
to lead by example so us to construct a new society and win more
people to the revolutionary cause. ´´The aim must be to gain 10
million votes at the next Presidential elections that are to be held
in December 2006´´, said Chavez. In terms of encouraging people to
further develop a revolutionary consciousness Chavez used the example
of Che. ´´Che was more than just a martyre, more than just a heroic
guerrilla fighter, he was also a Minister in the Cuban government and
developed many ideas on how to build the new socialist society... we
must study and learn from his thoughts´´., said Chavez.
´´We are a country that has resources so that every Venezuelan can
live in dignity... and we will be in a position within a few years to
start to send Venezuelan doctors to parts of the underdeveloped world
as Cuba has done for decades´´,said Chavez. Chavez also noted that
Cuba had just approved scholorships for up to 10,000 Venezuelan
doctors to study in Cuba.
Capitalism not the answer
´´The Capitalist system does not allow us to implement our
constitution or the political, economic or social project that we
want´´, said Chavez. Chavez made it clear that capitalism was not the
answer to the problems facing Venezuela, Latin America or the world.
He also made it clear that there was no third road. ´´We need to march
for a new socialism of the 21st century... so that we can build a new
political and social socialist system´´. ´´We are in a transitional
situation which has taken affect since 1998 and needs to be
continuosely planned´´, said Chavez.´´To construct socialism we need
to break capitalist economic laws... the traditional economic
orthodoxy is not compatible with a revolutionary economy, said Chavez.
Chavez said that the process that was being implemented in Venzuela
was that of a revolutionary democracy that aims to redefine socialism
in the 21st century. As part of this project Chavez explained the
process of workers co management that was being introduced in
factories across the country. He used the example of the the workers
at the INVEPAL (Venezuelan Industry for Pulp and Paper Production)
factory in Maracy.´´INVEPAL is now a factory that strives to build
socialism´´, said Chavez. The workers at the factory now are part of
the management community and decide how, what and when things are
produced so that it helps to further develop the factory and the local
and national economy. As part of this process to increase production
Chavez invited all industries in Veenzuela that where not functioning
at 100% to work with the government to increase production. Chavez
said, ´´We invite all industry to be part of the new society...we will
help every industry to expand production and will provide the funding
to do so, however the only condition is that workers be allowed to be
part of the management´´. Chavez also said if industry was not being
used or had been abandoned then the government would move to
expropriate them. The aim said Chavez was to, ´´move from a
revolutionary democracy to socialism this year... and that it was
critical for political parties to be consolidated in this process´´.
In his conclusion Chavez said that,´´ we need to break all the chains
of the past that have held us back´´.