From the Menges Hemispheric Security Project Center for Security Policy

The Americas Report

Vol. 2 - Issue 17 September 22, 2006

The Americas Report is a continuation of the work of Dr. Constantine C. Menges original Americas Report. For almost two years that report chronicled the efforts of the Castro-Chavez axis and their allies in their efforts to undermine free nations and people throughout the Western Hemisphere. These efforts were in keeping with the theme of the July 1993 meeting of the Forum of So Paulo, which was founded in 1990 by Lula da Silva and Fidel Castro, Our losses in Eastern Europe will be offset by our victories in Latin America.

Nancy Menges Editor in Chief - Americas ReportNicole M. Ferrand Editor - Americas Report

For any questions, comments, or those interested in receiving this report in the future or seeking to have their email removed from our list please contact Nicole M. Ferrand at our new e-mail address: mengesproject@centerforsecuritypolicy.org. If you have news stories that you think might be useful for future editions of this report please send them, with a link to the original website, to the same e-mail address. If you wish to contribute with an article, please send it to the same address, with your name and place of work or study.

Highlighted Story Selective Human Rights by Nicole M. Ferrand It was the beginning of a nice summer in Per. Peruvians were looking forward to celebrating New Years Eve but on the evening of December 17, 1996 everything changed. Fourteen members of the terrorist group MRTA (Movimiento Revolucionario Tpac Amaru) stormed the Japanese Ambassadors residence in Lima. At the moment of the attack, 8 p.m. to be exact, about five hundred of the 1,500 invited guests had arrived already. Among them were President Alberto Fujimoris mother, sister and younger brother. The group took hostage hundreds of high-level diplomats, government and military officials and business executives who were attending a party in celebration of Emperor Akihito's 63rd birthday at the home of Japanese ambassador to Per, Morihisha Aoki. Among the hostages was Alejandro Toledo, later to become president of Per. The leader of the terrorist group was Nstor Cerpa Cartolini. The surprise ambush of the residency was the most high-profile operation ever of the MRTA in its 15-year history. The ambush propelled Per in general and the MRTA in particular, into the world spotlight for the duration of the crisis. The militants had been able to infiltrate the complex unnoticed, by hiding inside an ambulance, and acting as catering staff for the celebration. The complex was guarded by more than 300 heavily armed police officers and bodyguards surrounding the residence. The militants were armed with AKM rifles, Uzi sub-machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, Browning automatic rifles, revolvers, hand grenades, explosives, anti-gas masks and other military gear.

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In the hours following their takeover of the Residence, the MRTA released all the female hostages. Over the ensuing days and weeks, many others were set free until 72 hostages remained. These hostages were the men calculated by the terrorist group to be the most important. This smaller number of hostages was also manageable for the terrorists who controlled the residence. Nestor Cerpa and his followers wanted to use the 72 men to negotiate the following demands:

The release of some 400 of their members from prisons around Per (including the recently convicted U.S. citizen Lori Berenson, member of the MRTA). A revision of the government's neoliberal free-market reforms. They singled out Japan's foreign assistance program in Per for criticism, arguing that this aid benefited only a narrow segment of society. They also protested against what it claimed were cruel and inhuman conditions in Peru's jails.

Negotiations In search for a solution, Fujimori appointed a team to hold talks with the MRTA, including the Canadian ambassador, who had briefly been a hostage, Archbishop Juan Luis Cipriani, and a Red Cross official. Fujimori even talked with Fidel Castro, raising media speculation that a deal was being worked out to let the MRTA militants go to Cuba as political exiles. However, it was reported on January 17th that negotiations with the MRTA had stalled when Cerpa refused to allow medical personnel to check the health of some of the hostages. At least two of them had diabetes and others suffered from asthma and heart conditions. All along, the military had been seeking alternatives for the rescue of the 72 men since there was a policy of no negotiation with terrorist groups. Although Fujimori had appointed a team to discuss the release of the hostages, many close to him knew he would never negotiate with the MRTA, even though his brother was one of the men being held inside the residence. Preparations for the Rescue In preparation for the rescue, one of the hostages, Admiral Luis Gianpetri of the Navy, an expert in intelligence and command operations, was provided with a tiny radio set and given encrypted instructions ordering him to warn the hostages ten minutes before the military operation began, telling them to stay as far away as possible from the MRTA members. Light-colored clothes were systematically ferried in to the hostages, so that they could be distinguished easily from the dark-clad insurgents. Cerpa, himself, unwittingly helped with this part of the project when, hearing sounds that made him suspect that a tunnel was being dug, he ordered all the hostages placed on the second floor. In addition, sophisticated miniature microphones and video cameras had been smuggled into the residence, concealed in books, water bottles, and table games. Gianpetri and other military officers among the hostages were given the responsibility for placing these devices in secure locations around the house. Eavesdropping on the MRTA commandos with the help of these high-tech devices, military planners observed that the 2

insurgents had organized their security carefully, and were particularly alert during the night hours. Early every afternoon, eight of the MRTA members, including the four leaders, played indoor soccer for about one hour. At 3:30 pm on Aril 22, 1997, 126 days after all began, the hostage crisis was brought to a sudden and successful end by a brilliantly conceived and surgically executed rescue mission that lasted 45 minutes and was carried out by 140 elite Peruvian commandos under direct orders from Alberto Fujimori. The liberating forces had dug 8 tunnels between the neighboring houses and the ambassadors residence. In May, the terrorists had complained that taunting military displays outside the residence and the constant blaring of nationalistic tunes were deliberate distractions to cover up the sound of secret tunnels being excavated for a future rescue operation. MRTA should have known best about the use of escape tunnels than the MRTA. In 1990, 50 convicted members of the terrorist organization escaped from the maximum security Canto Grande prison by means of a 200-metre long tunnel they had dug out of the jail.**Source: Diario Expreso Per, June 1997.

The Rescue At 15:23 of April 22, 1997 operation Chavn de Huntar* began. Three charges exploded nearly simultaneously in three different rooms on the first floor. The first explosion hit the middle of the room where the soccer game was being held, killing three insurgents immediately two of the men involved in the game, and one of the women watching from the sidelines. Through the hole created by that blast and the other two explosions, 30 commandos stormed into the building, chasing the surviving MRTA members in order to stop them before they reached the second floor. *Fujimori named the rescue mission Operacin Chavn de Huntar after Pers millennial archaeological site, Chavn de Huntar, a tree-thousand-year-old temple whose interior is a network of galleries and tunnels. At the end, all fourteen MRTA insurgents and two brave soldiers, Lieutenant Colonel Juan Valer Sandoval and Lieutenant Ral Jimnez Chvez, died in the assault. One hostage, Dr. Carlos Giusti Acua, member of the Supreme Court died of a heart attack, not a terrorists or liberators bullet.Image on the Left: Tunnel inside Chavn de Huntar archaeological site. Source: http://www.mack oo.com/perou/Ch avin.htm Image on the left: Hostages being rescued by the Peruvian Commandos from the residence. Source: http://www.copesa.cl /Casos/Peru/Especial .html

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Image: President Fujimori with Chavn de Huntar Commandos after the raid. Source: http://www.answers.com/topic/japanese-embassyhostage-crisis

Human Rights in action During the 126 days of captivity the 72 hostages were treated inhumanely. No human rights organization came to speak for the real victims, the hostages. Not once. All they did was talk on behalf of the terrorists. The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo arrived in Lima from Argentina to give their support to the MRTA, arguing that their demands should be met and that no military operation should be carried out. Human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch strongly protested the move. "The successful rescue of the hostages turned these commandos into national heroes, but the evidence of illegal killings is compelling. National gratitude is no reason for shielding them from justice" the organization argued in a press release. HRW argued that the amnesty proposals clearly conflicted with the principles enunciated by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. In addition, on May 13th 2002, Peruvian judge Cecilia Polack Boluarte under the orders of ultra-leftist Minister of Justice Diego Garca Sayn (now nick-named the Liberator by many terrorists) issued warrants for the arrest of 11 senior army officers who participated in the raid. The warrants allowed the accused to be held for 15 days before formal charges were filed. Then APRODEH (Association for Human Rights) filed a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on behalf of MRTA family members, against the Peruvian state, alleging that Per had violated the rights recognized in the American Convention on Human Rights to the detriment of MRTA members. The Commission determined the petition to be admissible. Many of us tend to see these Organizations as neutral and unbiased but they are not. They have political agendas that they want to advance. Terrorists want to justify their activity as a legitimate means to achieve for themselves the protection and benefits provided by human rights standards. In essence they claim the authority of the rule of law to legitimize human rights protections or benefits and then argue that terrorist acts are a legitimate means to advance their claims. In fact, by their brutal violence against the innocent, terrorists reveal their callous motivation. In such cases, human rights standards are manipulated to provide legitimacy for terrorist actions.

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Sounds familiar? The case of Chavn de Huntar is compelling. The commandos that risked their lives to save the hostages ended up being condemned and accused by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Aprodeh as murderers while the MRTA members were regarded as defenseless victims. For these organizations it doesnt matter that these innocent kids held the people captive for 4 months at gunpoint, against their will, with little water or decent food. They had to live in the residence which became infested with rats and horrible smells. When they were able to sleep at night, the MRTA members dropped their rifles to the ground on purpose just to scare the hostages. But these acts are not enough to condemn them of anything, according to these Human Rights organizations. Terrorism does not recognize the normal conventions of politics and democracy, and cannot be countered by these. Terrorist groups have long since shifted their strategy of just relying on the use of force. They now create over-ground fronts and political organizations to spearhead their immediate campaigns. Their strategy is to build up substantial public opinion through a variety of human rights fora and sustained litigation against the most visible symbols of the state. **Source: Bharat Varsha 1947: The Voice of the Free Indian, available online on September 20th 2006 at http://www.geocities.com/bharatvarsha1947/January_2003/terrorhumanrights.htm

In the case of Per, 25,000 people died since the 80s at the hands of the MRTA and the Shining Path, (whose leader, Abimael Guzman, was captured in 1992). Besides the dead, thousands were left handicapped. The military and police personnel who fought these deadly groups also died and others were badly injured. Terrorism left a legacy of thousands of orphans, widows and entire families devastated. In addition, this war left millions of dollars in damages which could have been used to build much needed schools, hospitals and infrastructure to help in the development of the country. Where were the Human Rights organizations when these people needed them most? News Stories The following are a summary of several news stories found in different media outlets. To read the full articles, just position the cursor on each title. Usually you can have access to the complete piece by pressing Ctrl and then the left button of your mouse. The hyperlink has been inserted into the title. Cuba: Non-aligned summit wraps up in Havana Taipei Times.

Representatives of 118 Nonaligned Movement nations condemned Israel's attacks on Lebanon and supported a peaceful resolution to the dispute over Iran's nuclear program in the final declaration on Saturday of a summit that brought together some of the world's staunchest foes of the US. The statements, many of which contain veiled criticisms of the US, were approved by unanimous consent after another round of speechmaking on Saturday night by leaders of the Nonaligned Movement. "No one in the Nonaligned Movement thinks that the United States is responsible for all the problems, but many think that it is for some," Cuba's Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque said. 5

Many demanded that the UN take action against the veto power of the five permanent Security Council members. Suggestions in the final declaration include expanding the council's membership or allowing council vetoes to be overruled by a twothirds majority of the General Assembly. "The US is turning the security council into a base for imposing its politics," Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad complained. "Why should people live under the nuclear threat of the US?" he said. Some leaders tried to resolve disputes with their neighbors: Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed Saturday to resume peace talks, and Bolivian President Evo Morales tried to reassure Brazilians angered by tough energy negotiations. Others held onto hardline positions: North Korea defended its nuclear weapons program, Sudan's leader rejected a UN peacekeeping mission for Darfur and Ahmadinejad insisted on Iran's right to develop nuclear energy. Cuba: Non-aligned nations slam U.S. CBC News. The leaders of more than 100 of the world's non-aligned nations vowed Saturday to stand up to the United States, a country they said posed "a grave threat to world peace and security." The Non-aligned Movement also rejected U.S. President Bush's use of the term "axis of evil," supported Iran's right to nuclear technology for peaceful use and criticized the United States for riding roughshod over the sovereignty of smaller nations. The non-aligned nations blamed the United States and the West for many of the world's problems, including global poverty and the lack of world peace. The Non-Aligned Movement is a group of 118 nations that includes such U.S. critics as Cuba, North Korea, Venezuela and Algeria. But the group also includes Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Chile, Peru and Colombia, countries that are seen as friendly to the United States. It was founded in 1961 as an alternative to both Moscow and Washington. The group moved to Havana for its meeting this year, from Malaysia, which has led the group for the past three years. One of the most vocal critics of the United States was Kim Yong-nam, the head of North Korea's parliament, who blasted the United States for its unilateral actions against smaller countries. General Koffi Annan attended the meeting. Cuba: Nonaligned nations blast Israel attacks The Associated Press. Representatives of 118 Nonaligned Movement nations condemned Israel's attacks on Lebanon. And while declaring democracy to be a universal value, the movement said no one country or region should define it for the whole world and defended the right of Venezuela and other countries to determine their own forms of government. The meeting brought together the leaders of Iran, Venezuela, North Korea, and Zimbabwe among other leading U.S. adversaries. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan agreed the Security Council must be more responsive to less powerful countries. "The Security Council must reform _ for the sake

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of the developing world, and for the sake of the United Nations itself," Annan told the nonaligned leaders. "The perception of a narrow power-base risks leading to an erosion of the U.N.'s authority and legitimacy _ even, some would argue, its neutrality and independence. I have in the past described this as a democracy deficit." Venezuela: Iran, Venezuela plan Syrian refinery Al-Jazeera Venezuela and Iran are planning to construct a petroleum refinery in Syria capable of processing 150,000 barrels a day, Venezuela's oil minister has said. 'We're studying [planning] an oil refinery in Syria," said Rafael Ramirez, during an official visit to Venezuela by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, on Monday. Venezuelas relations with Iran and Syria have strengthened under Hugo Chavez who views the Middle Eastern nations as important allies in his efforts to build what he calls "multi-polar world" no longer dominated by the United States. Iranian-Venezuelan ties have previously focused cooperation as major oil exporters, but the leaders emphasized their new bond in standing up to America. "We have common goals and interests," said Ahmadinejad, who repeatedly called his counterpart by his first name. "We have to be united." "I salute all the revolutionaries who oppose world hegemony," he added in an apparent reference to the United States. Chvez Calls Bush the Devil in U.N. Speech The New York Times President Hugo Chvez of Venezuela bitterly and sarcastically assailed President Bush before the United Nations General Assembly today, portraying Mr. Bush as the devil who thinks he is the owner of the world. Yesterday, the devil came here, Mr. Chvez said, alluding to Mr. Bushs appearance before the General Assembly on Tuesday. Right here. Right here. And it smells of sulfur still today, this table that I am now standing in front of. Then Mr. Chvez made the sign of the cross, brought his hands together as if in prayer and glanced toward the ceiling. Yesterday, ladies and gentlemen, from this rostrum, the president of the United States, the gentleman to whom I refer as the devil, came here, talking as if he owned the world. I think we could call a psychiatrist to analyze yesterdays statement by the president of the United States, Mr. Chvez went on. As the spokesman of imperialism, he came to share his nostrums, to try to preserve the current pattern of domination, exploitation and pillage of the peoples of the world. Comment: Venezuela Dictator Vows to Bring down U.S. Government. Venezuela government is sole owner of CITGO Gasoline Company. Venezuela Dictator Hugo Chavez has vowed to bring down the U.S. government. Chavez, president of Venezuela, told a TV audience: "Enough of imperialist aggression; we must tell the world: down with the U.S. empire. We have to bury imperialism this century. The guest on his television program, beamed across Venezuela, was Cindy Sheehan, the antiwar activist. Chavez recently had as his guest Harry Belafonte, who called President Bush "the greatest terrorist in the world." Chavez is pushing a socialist revolution and has a close alliance with Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.

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Regardless of your feelings about the war in Iraq, the issue here is that we have a socialist dictator vowing to bring down the government of the U.S. And he is using our money to achieve his goal! The Venezuela government, run by Dictator Chavez, is the sole owner of CITGO Gas Company Sales of products at CITGO stations send money back to Chavez to help him in his vow to bring down our government. Take Action Please decide that you will not be shopping at a CITGO station. Why should U.S. citizens who love freedom be financing a dictator who has vowed to take down our government? Please forward this to your friends and family. Most of them don't know that CITGO is owned by the Venezuela government. YOU CAN VERIFY THIS ON THE CITGO WEB PAGE. http://www.citgo.com/AboutCITGO.jsp Venezuela: China supports Venezuela running for non-permanent membership of UNSC Peoples Daily China. China supports Venezuela's application for a non-permanent position in the United Nations Security Council, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang on Thursday. "China and Venezuela now enjoy sound bilateral relations and have maintained close communication and cooperation in dealing with international and regional affairs," said Qin. Venezuelan Jews fear Chavez-Iran ties The Jerusalem Post Ahmadinejad and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, both leaders of oilproducing nations, have found common cause criticizing US hegemony. Chavez has come out in support of Iran's nuclear program as well as denouncing the war in Lebanon, accusing Israel of a "new Holocaust." At the Non-Aligned Movement summit, which was held in Cuba leading up to the Iranian leader's Caracas visit, Venezuela and Iran channeled the tide of global anti-US sentiment into support for Iran's right to nuclear energy. "We are outraged" by Ahmadinejad's visit, said Pressner, citing the Iranian leader's Holocaust denial and his statements about erasing Israel from the planet. While Israel's security has always been a cause for concern among Venezuelan Jews, Chavez's alliance with Iran has them worried about their own security for the first time. Some fear that Chavez's attacks on Israel may lead to attacks on local Jews. Already, graffiti is appearing on the Mariperez synagogue with increasing frequency. As a safety precaution, Levy skipped out on an office visit to the synagogue last Monday to avoid colliding with a pro-government march. Chavez has only recently aimed his vitriol at Israel as he seeks friends in the Middle East, especially in Damascus and Teheran, both of which he visited in the last two months. The recent wave of anti-Semitism has Venezuelan Jews, used to acceptance, rather nervous. Some even accuse Chavez of bringing in Hezbollah to indoctrinate Wayuu Indians in the west of the country.

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Venezuela: Chavez Vows Aid for Iran against Attack The Association Press. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez pledged Thursday that Venezuela will support Iran if it is invaded as a result of the Middle Eastern nation's high-stakes nuclear standoff with the United Nations Security Council. "Iran is under threat; there are plans to invade Iran, hopefully it won't happen, but we are with you," Chavez told Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at a meeting of the Group of 15 developing nations. "Under any scenario we are with you just like we are with Cuba," Chavez said. "If the United States invades Cuba, blood will run... We will not have our arms crossed while bombs are falling in Havana or they carry Raul off in a plane." Venezuela: First joint drilling operation at Venezuelan oil field opens Republic News Agency Islamic

The first joint drilling operation opened on Monday at 'Orinoco Oil Field' in Venezuelan province of Anzotegui, in presence of presidents of Iran and Venezuela. The operation is jointly being carried by Iran's ' Petropars' and Venezuelan Oil Company. After the opening ceremony, the presidents flew to Bolivar city to see another joint plant 'Veniran Company' manufacturing tractors for the Venezuelan farmers. Editors Note: Although Mr. Chvez says that President Bush is the devil, he still sells his oil to the United States and receives dollars in return. What a contradiction. If he really means what he says then he should stop selling oil to the US, whos President he calls the devil and in no way should he accept any payment from this transaction. He does not practice what he preaches. Isnt that hypocrisy? To help him halt his dealings on oil with the devil, consumers need to stay away from buying gasoline from CITGO. Iran's President Visits Venezuela for Talks on Energy El Universal - Caracas. Translated by the editor Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his Iranian counterpart, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, have inaugurated a joint oil well project in Venezuela's Orinoco River basin as they strengthen bilateral ties. The tour Monday took place one day after President Ahmadinejad praised Chavez for his opposition to the United States, saying Iran and Venezuela have common thoughts, objectives and interests.

Hugo Chavez (r) and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Source: AFP

Venezuelan and Iranian officials signed more than 30 cooperation agreements Sunday, including one that creates a $2-billion fund to finance joint energy projects. Both countries are major oil producers and members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Iran supports Venezuela's desire for a rotating seat on the 15-nation U.N. Security Council. Mexico: Mexico Plans Parallel Government Telemundo Noticias. Translated by the editor. A few hours after the Democratic National Convention in Mexico, attending organizations continue Friday discussing issues and the position to be held by opposition

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leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Indigenous people, campesinos, academics and union leaders said the September 16 forum should prioritize unity, the fight for the social progress of Mexicans and recognize diversity. Nearly 400 delegates and representatives of organization, communities and towns will not recognize Felipe Calderon as the president-elect. They will either approve or reject the 24-point bill that publicly identifies Lopez Obrador as the legitimate dignitary, who, according to them, was snatched from the electoral win. Mexico Reevaluates Venezuela Relations El Universal - Caracas. Translated by the editor. Mexico said Sunday that it is reevaluating its diplomatic relations with Venezuela after Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez accused the Mexican government of stealing its country's recent presidential election. Chavez said last week that his government had not recognized the victory of Mexican ruling party candidate Felipe Calderon because of concerns about alleged election irregularities. Chavez apparently expanded on his allegations Saturday when interviewed by CNN at the NAM summit in Havana. According to CNN, Chavez again accused Mexico's conservative National Action Party of stealing the election, and said Calderon's campaign had "destroyed" the opportunity for good relations with Venezuela. Mexico backs Guatemala, not Venezuela El Universal - Caracas. Translated by the editor. The Mexican Government vowed Monday to "back and further" Guatemala's nomination for a seat at the United Nations (UN) Security Council, contended currently against Venezuela, Efe reported. "For strategic reasons and due to the partnership with Central American countries, Mexico will support and foster Guatemala's nomination," said Rubn Aguilar, the spokesman President Vicente Fox. Brazil: emerging as global trade leader The Miami Herald This giant South American country has long dreamed of becoming a great global power. Now, at least part of that dream seems to be coming true. From global trade negotiations to diplomatic circles, Brazilian officials are speaking out for fellow developing countries, and much of the Third World is following its lead. That was underlined this past weekend when representatives of 27 developing countries came to Rio de Janeiro to seek a common position on stalled trade negotiations with the United States and other industrialized countries. From Argentina to Zimbabwe, the countries came at the invitation of Brazil, which leads the coalition. They're known as the Group of 20, or G-20, though the coalition's membership totals 21. Foreign diplomats said Brazil has clearly taken the lead on several fronts, including creating the G-20 and guiding the Mercosur trade bloc, which is made up of Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Paraguay and Uruguay. Brazil: India, Brazil and South Africa have taken steps to increase trade between their emerging economies Voice of America For decades, India, Brazil, and South Africa had little to do with each other economically. The three countries, which have emerged as economic and political

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leaders in the developing world, set out to change their relationship in 2003. They launched an initiative known as the India, Brazil and South Africa Dialogue Forum to promote the interests of their rapidly growing economies. As part of that effort, they held their first summit recently in Brazil, where agreements to boost cooperation in trade, technology and politics were signed. India wants to use South Africa as a gateway to trade with the rest of Africa and Brazil as a route to other Latin American nations. South Africa and Brazil in turn hope to gain entry into South Asia through India. "The Indian industry is raring to go into African nations, as well as Latin American nations," said Shipra Tripathi, a Director at the Confederation of Indian Industry in New Delhi. "The Indian industry is looking at large number of sectors for participation, starting from agriculture, agro-processing, small and medium industries in all the sectors, engineering, research and development, as well as in adding value to natural resources in Africa." Three-way trade between India, Brazil and South Africa totals $8 billion. The leaders plan to increase that to $10 billion by 2007. Two-way trade between India and South Africa has jumped by 150% in four years to $4 billion last year. Trade between India and Brazil is also up, from $400 million in 1999 to more than $2 billion in 2005. Brazil: Lula holds lead in Brazil presidential race: poll Reuters President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's lead over his main rival in Brazil's presidential race held steady in the past week, keeping him on track to win in the first round, a poll showed on Friday. The survey by polling firm Ibope, commissioned by the National Industry Confederation, showed Lula with 50% of the vote in the first round on October 1, compared to 29% for Geraldo Alckmin, a former governor of Sao Paulo. Colombia concerned about Venezuelan arms purchases Translated by the editor. El Universal Caracas.

Colombian Finance Minister Alberto Carrasquilla voiced concern on Tuesday about recent large weapons purchases by neighboring Venezuela. "Of course it's a concern," Carrasquilla told reporters, declining further comment. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in the past has made favorable comments about Colombia's largest rebel group, the Marxist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Russia has sold 24 aircraft, 53 helicopters and Kalashnikov automatic weapons to Venezuela, the world's No.5 oil exporter, for more than $3 billion in July amid protests from Washington. Last week, the U.S. military chief for Latin America said recent weapons purchases by Venezuela seemed excessive and raised worries it may be funneling arms to leftist rebels. Colombia will vote for Guatemala Telemundo Noticias - Mexico. Translated by the editor. The president of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe, ratified that his country will vote for Guatemala in the election of a temporary member for the United Nations Security Council in October.

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Editors Note: In our next issue there will be an article written by one of our advisers, Luis Fleischman, on Chavez bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.Mission of the Center for Security Policy To promote world peace through American strength The Center for Security Policy has, since its founding in 1988, operated as a non-profit, non-partisan organization committed to the time-tested philosophy of promoting international peace through American strength. It accomplishes this goal by stimulating and informing national and international policy debates, in particular, those involving regional, defense, economic, financial and technology developments that bear upon the security of the United States. The Center specializes in the rapid preparation and real-time dissemination of information, analyses and policy recommendations via e-mail distribution; computerized fax; its exciting, redesigned Web site; published articles; and the electronic media. The principal audience for such materials is the U.S. security policy-making community (the executive and legislative branches, the armed forces and appropriate independent agencies), corresponding organizations in key foreign governments, the press (domestic and international), the global business and financial community and interested individuals in the public at large. The Center is aided immeasurably in the performance of its mission thanks to the active participation of a sizeable network of past and present, civilian and military security policy practitioners. By drawing on the experience, judgment and insights of these accomplished individuals, the Center is able to maximize the quality of its inputs into the policy-making process. This structure also permits the Center to operate with an extremely small core staff and great cost-effectiveness. The Center for Security Policy and the Menges Hemispheric Project needs your support - Your generous tax-deductible contribution may be made securely on-line or by mail to 1920 L. St NW Suite 210 Washington D.C. 20036 (Note: The Center for Security Policy does not rent, sell, or otherwise provide donor information to any third party except as required by law. The Center does not engage in telemarketing.)

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