On arrival in Venezuela, Chavez announces three important measures

On arrival in Venezuela, President Chavez Frias has made several significant announcements. The first is domestic, making August 3 Official Flag Day.

At a civilian-military parade in la Vela de Coro (Falcon) where Francisco de Miranda landed with the Venezuelan Republic’s independence flag 200 years ago, the President decreed that as of 2007 Flag Day will be on August 3 and not March 12, which the opposition undoubtedly will continue to celebrate by flying its seven-star flag.

* The President’s second measure has been to order home the Venezuelan Ambassador in Israel in protest over Israel’s attack on Lebanon.

Chavez Frias has criticized US efforts to prevent Venezuela from sitting on the UN Security Council for two years from November onwards. Mali has said it will support Venezuela, along with Benin, Vietnam, Iran, Russia and Belarus.

"The US government has refused to allow the Security Council to take action to stop the genocide that Israel is committing against the Palestinian and Lebanese Peoples ... once again the mask of the North American Empire has fallen."

The withdrawal of the Ambassador, Chavez Frias maintains, is the result of indignation caused by Israel’s attack, bombardment, and assassination with US planes and US- supported military might.

"While the world crosses its arms and sits back, the least Venezuela can do is raise its voice of protest."

The third measure announced yesterday is that Venezuela will acquire a modern anti-air attack defense system. A deal to install the system was signed and secured during the President’s visit to Russia and Belarus.