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4 THE JAPAN TIMES SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2009 (3)

Venezuela independence day

Chavez visit strengthened tiesTakeo HiranumaCHIRMAN, JAPAN-VENEZUELAN

PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDSHIP LEAGUE

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On behalf of theJapan-VenezuelanParliamentary FriendshipLeague, I would like to conveymy heartfeltcongratulationsto theBolivarianRepublic ofVenezuela andits people onthe occasion ofthe 198thanniversary of itsindependence.

The common destiny ofVenezuela and Japan isfounded on a productive,intense, solid and mutuallybeneficial bilateral relationshipthat began 71 years ago. It is inconstant evolution, reflecting a

long-standing friendlytradition.

A new face ofVenezuela-Japan bilateralrelations began with the recentvisit of President Hugo Chavezto Japan, characterized by anintegral joint vision, wherebinational interests,cooperation, and interchangeare strengthened, transformedand expanded under acomplementary criteria.

On this special day ofcelebration for the people ofVenezuela, I would like to pointout that we share fundamentalvalues that provide clear pathstoward understanding, peaceand prosperity.

Japan and Venezuelabelieve in achievinginternational peace andcooperation by promotingintegral human security.

They share a special

sensibility to economic,environmental, energy andsocial issues, and have madesubstantial efforts toward thepeaceful use of nuclear energyand the abolition of all nuclearweapons.

Furthermore, we admire thegreat zeal with which theVenezuelan government hasbeen working under theleadership of PresidentChavez to build a fairersociety.

The Japan-VenezuelaParliamentary FriendshipLeague is determined todeepen the close relationshipbetween the two nations,promoting an open politicaland economic dialogue. I amconvinced that there aremultiple and wide-rangingopportunities that we shallexplore, transit and makeeffective.

Venezuela well on the road to prosperitySeiko IshikawaAMBASSADOR OF VENEZUELA TO JAPAN

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On the occasion of the 198th an-niversary of our indepen-dence, on behalf of the Boli-varian Republic of Venezuela,its governmentand people, Iam honored toconvey our re-newed commit-ment to the con-tinued friend-ship betweenVenezuela andJapan and to extend my bestwishes of happiness, healthand prosperity to Their Impe-rial Majesties Emperor Akihi-to and Empress Michiko, tothe Japanese government andits people. On this auspiciousday, I would like to expressour appreciation to The JapanTimes for this opportunity toaddress its distinguishedreaders.

Next year, Venezuelans willcelebrate the 200th anniversa-ry since the beginning of ourindependence revolution and,in 2011, two centuries since thefinal declaration of indepen-dence. The soil plowed by ourfounding fathers has finallygiven way to a prosperous fu-ture. Last December, the Boli-varian Government of Presi-dent Chavez celebrated 10years of achievements, im-proving the quality of life ofmillions of Venezuelans, ex-ceeding expectations, and re-alizing the dreams of many: toachieve a just and humane so-ciety.

During the Administrationof President Chavez, the ex-treme poverty rate signifi-cantly fell from 42 percent in1998 to 9.5 percent. Generalpoverty also fell significantly,from 50.5 percent in 1998 to 33.4percent in 2008. Venezuela’sHuman Development Index

(HDI) increased from 0.69(medium development) in1998 to 0.84 (high develop-ment) in 2008.

In education, we have

achieved greater access tobasic, medium and higherschools, and we are currentlyinvesting more than 7 per-cent of GDP in education,while in 1998 it was only 3.9percent. Our social programshave increased the presenceof primary health care physi-cians from 1,628 in 1998 tomore than 20,000 in 2008,through 1,600 communityconsultation centers all overthe country. The subsidizedfood program has benefitedmore than 40 percent of thepopulation.

The social programs’ effec-tiveness has made them high-ly popular throughout Venezu-ela — the educational mis-sions are viewed positively by76 percent of Venezuelans andthe health missions by 72 per-cent. These 10 years ofachievements of the Venezue-lan Government have been ac-complished within a demo-cratic system with the activeparticipation of its citizens.The 2008 report by Latinobaro-metro, a Chilean polling firmthat conducts a highly respect-ed annual public survey on im-portant issues in Latin Ameri-ca, showed these results forVenezuela:B Asked about the most effec-tive way to bring aboutchange, Venezuelans over-whelmingly replied throughelections. Eighty percent ofVenezuelan expressed a faithin elections while only 9 per-cent of those polled believedthat participating in protestswas more effective.B Venezuelans continue to beamong the most satisfied withthe democratic system in theircountry, second only to Uru-guay. This year’s level of sat-isfaction is 14 percent higherthan the number reported in1998.B Asked whether democracyguarantees freedom of ex-pression to all in all occasions,

60 percent of Venezuelans re-plied affirmatively.B Asked about social inequali-ties in a democracy, Venezue-lans ranked highest in the re-gion with 36 percent, believingthat social inequality had di-minished and the lowest in theregion (37 percent) believingthat inequality remained thesame. On average, only 21 per-cent of the region believes thatsocial inequalities are beingaddressed by democracy.B Venezuelans reported thehighest levels of support fordemocracy with 85 percent.The next highest level of sup-port for democracy was foundin Uruguay with 79 percent;Venezuela was well above theregional average of 57 per-cent.B Eighty-five percent of Vene-zuelans agreed that democra-cy is necessary for develop-ment.

One of the many conse-quences of the recent econom-ic crisis has been the decline ofoil prices, affecting the 2009National Budget, calculatedat $60 a barrel, requiring nec-essary adjustments. Even so,the economic measures takenby the government to protectVenezuela from the global tur-moil have not placed any bur-den on the people and, on thecontrary, funding for impor-tant social programs will con-tinue. Sound economic and fis-cal policies have led to the cre-ation of development fundmechanisms that are thesource of social and economicdevelopment of the country,with investment plans in non-oil projects related to infra-structure, agriculture, basicand medium industry andmining, amounting to $100 bil-lion up until 2013.

Last year marked the cele-bration of 70 years of friendlyand fruitful bilateral relationswith Japan, based on a strongCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Energy deal an epoch-making eventYorihiko KojimaCHAIRMAN, JAPAN-VENEZUELA ECONOMIC

COMMITTEE, NIPPON KEIDANREN

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On behalf of the Japan-Vene-zuela Economic Committeeof Nippon Keidanren (theJapan Busi-nes s Feder a -tion), I wouldlike to expressmy heartfeltc o n g r a t u l a -tions to H. E.President Hu-go Chavez andthe people of the BolivarianRepublic of Venezuela ontheir 198th anniversary of in-dependence.

In 2008, Venezuela and Ja-pan celebrated the 70th anni-versary of the establishmentof diplomatic ties betweenour two countries, and also

the 80th anniversary of Japa-nese emigration to Venezue-la. I regard these anniversa-ries as proof of the continuousstrengthening of the friend-ship between us.

In April this year, we hadthe great pleasure of welcom-ing President Chavez to Ja-pan. Many Japanese in thepublic and private sectorswere interested in his meet-ing with Prime Minister TaroAso. More than 70 peoplefrom the business communi-ty gathered at Keidanrenheadquarters to hear Presi-dent Chavez speak. Thesefacts have reassured us of thebusiness opportunities withVenezuela, and we trust thatthe mutual business environ-ment will stabilize furtherfrom hereon and allow us torealize these opportunities.

One epoch-making eventtook place this year. Thememorandum on Venezuela-Japan comprehensive ener-gy cooperation was signed inMarch. To put this into ac-tion, in April, President Cha-vez and Prime Minister Asoagreed on organizing work-ing groups. This is a brilliantexample of how the two gov-ernments can collaborateand consequently boost oureconomic ties.

Finally, I sincerely wishthe Bolivarian Republic ofVenezuela and its peoplepeace and prosperity on theanniversary of their indepen-dence. I will continue to domy best to enhance the eco-nomic relations between ourtwo nations and help contrib-ute to a mutually beneficialfuture.

President Hugo Chavez Frias

The keys: Morrocoy National Park features a large number of small islands. VENEZUELAN EMBASSY

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Venezuela independence day/world

Croatian president picks first female premier to replace Sanader

ZagrebAP

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Croatian President Stipe Me-sic on Friday appointed amember of the ruling party toreplace former Prime Minis-ter Ivo Sanader, who abruptlyresigned earlier in the week.

Mesic chose Jadranka Ko-sor, Sanader’s longtime loyaldeputy, and the candidate pro-posed by the ruling CroatianDemocratic Union, saying shehas proven she has the supportof the majority of lawmakers.

Kosor, 56, who was the min-ister in charge of family andwar veterans and a deputyprime minister, must still beapproved as prime ministerby Parliament, with a votelikely to come Monday.

Mesic said he expected thenew Cabinet to continue to

pursue ‘‘very clear and deci-sive pro-European policies’’ —alluding to speculations thatwithout Sanader, his partywould be taken over by itsright wing.

Sanader transformed theparty — once a bastion of na-tionalism — into a Western-

style conservative party sincetaking the helm in 2000. Theleader, who won his secondterm 19 months ago, resignedfrom the post and from leader-ship of the party Wednesday,saying only that he was with-drawing from politics.

Opposition parties are de-manding early elections, say-ing that the party has now lostits credibility.

Sanader has only hinted atwhy he resigned, denying ini-tially it was due to Croatia’seconomic crisis and the coun-try’s stalled bid to join the EU.

However, in remarks pub-lished by the Jutarnji List dai-ly on Friday, Sanader saidCroatians ‘‘needed a shock’’ to‘‘finally face reality’’ — neces-sary radical cuts in public andother spending.

He said his attempts to save

money were always met withcriticism.

In the interview, Sanadersaid his resignation was also a‘‘protest’’ against the EU’s‘‘unacceptable’’ behavior to-ward Croatia.

Croatia’s EU bid — Sanad-er’s major political goal — hasbeen blocked since Decemberby neighbor and EU memberSlovenia because of a borderdispute.

The European Commissionhas abandoned public media-tion between the two after theyfailed to agree on its latest pro-posal for solving the row.

Sanader told the daily thatthe EU officials ‘‘did not makea necessary effort to stop theunprecedented blackmailfrom Slovenia,’’ adding thathis resignation would ‘‘per-haps sober them up.’’

IN BRIEF---------------------------------------

Duma approves billto ease NGO curbsMoscow AP

Russia’s lower house ofParliament has approved abill easing restrictions onhuman rights groups andother nongovernmentalorganizations.

The Kremlin-loyal StateDuma hurried through thebill’s second and third readingFriday. It cleared by a vote of383 for to 57 against, with noabstentions. The bill needsrubber- stamping by theobedient Upper House beforePresident Dmitry Medvedevcan sign it into law.

The bill would amend arestrictive law passed threeyears ago under Medvedev’spredecessor Vladimir Putin,who said tight regulationswere necessary to make surethat NGOs were not controlledfrom abroad.

Six killed in Londonhigh-rise infernoLondon AP

Six people, including a3-week-old baby, were killedand 30 people had to berescued when fire rippedthrough a high-rise apartmentbuilding in London on Friday,emergency services said.

London Fire Brigade andpolice said the dead werethree adults and threechildren — the baby, and a 6-and 7-year-old.

The brigade said 18 fireengines and more than 100firefighters were called tothe blaze in the Camberwellarea of south London around4:20 p.m. The fire started onthe fourth floor and spreadquickly to seven floors of the12-story building, part of alarge 1960s public-housingproject.

The fire brigade said 30residents had been rescuedfrom the building ‘‘in extremelydifficult circumstances.’’Investigators were on the sceneto determine its cause.

Spanish police foilzeppelin jailbreakMadrid AP

Spanish police foiled a plot touse a zeppelin to help aprisoner break out of jail, theInterior Ministry said Friday.

Investigators found apackage sent from Italycontaining sophisticatedescape equipment that was tohave been smuggled into thehilltop Salto del Negro prisonin Las Palmas in the CanaryIslands using a 4-meterelectrically controlleddirigible.

The breakout had beenplanned for Tuesday, a daybefore the detainee, whosename was given as ‘‘GiulioB.,’’ was due to appear in courton charges of drug trafficking.

‘‘The strategy consisted ofusing a 4-meter radio-controlled zeppelin to helpintroduce night visionequipment, climbing kit andcamouflage paint to GiulioB.’s cell,’’ the ministry said ina statement.

Police say Giulio B. wouldhave used the equipment toreach a point on the jailperimeter that was not underconstant observation. Fromthere, police said, they believehe would have descended to awaiting escape vehicle.

Palin again plays by own rules in resignationANALYSIS------------------------------------------

Dan BalzWashingtonTHE WASHINGTON POST

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Gov. Sarah Palin demonstrat-ed once again Friday that sheis one of America’s most un-conventional politicians, fol-lowing an unpredictable pathto an uncertain future.

That the Alaska governorhas a flair for the theatrical —and plays by her own rules —was underscored anew by herstunning announcement thatnot only will she not seek re-election in 2010 but also thatshe will resign her office thismonth.

But are Palin’s rules thoseof someone with the capacityto seek and win her party’spresidential nomination in2012, as many believe is her ul-timate goal, or of someonewho has flashed like a meteoracross the political skies butwith limited impact? Thatquestion was at the center ofthe discussion Friday amongRepublican strategists whowere baffled by what they hadjust heard from Alaska.

Palin’s decision to exit thegovernorship was as suddenand unexpected as her arrivalon the national stage whenSen. John McCain defied all

predictions and selected her tobe his 2008 vice presidentialrunning mate. From that dayin August to Friday’s an-nouncement that she plans tostep down, she has been one ofthe country’s most compellingand controversial politicians— and almost always one ofthe most enigmatic.

Palin’s statement was am-biguous with regard to her fu-ture. ‘‘We know we can effectpositive change outside gov-ernment at this point in timeon another scale, and actuallymake a difference for our pri-orities,’’ she said, hinting atlarger ambitions. But she alsoexpressed weariness overwhat she called ‘‘superficial,wasteful, political bloodsport.’’ Was that a hint that sheintends to turn away fromelective politics?

Certainly, after a week inwhich she was the target ofnew attacks over her perfor-mance in the 2008 campaignthat sparked a war of wordsbetween prominent Republi-can strategists, slipping intothe background might b e awelcome tonic for Palin andher family.

But even if that were herfirst instinct, she will feel thetug of her passionate support-ers to remain in the forefrontof the debate over the party’s

future, and many of them willpush her to run for president.

One strategist who assumesshe has aspirations to run forpresident called the decisionto resign her office ‘‘puzzling,’’and another described it as‘‘nutty.’’ ‘‘If this is about run-ning for president, it’s aboutas odd a way as we’ve everseen,’’ said John Weaver, aRepublican strategist.

Their reasoning followedconventional assumptionsabout what it takes to mount anational campaign — that, insurrendering the governor’soffice in Alaska, she brings aconclusion to her brief tenurein statewide office, leaving be-hind a thin record on which tobase a national campaign.

Yet it has been obvious thatAlaska is a difficult place fromwhich to participate in the na-tional debate, both because ofits physical distance from therest of the United States but al-so because of its culture andidentity. Freed of the con-straints of her office, Palincould, if she chooses, becomea more engaged participant inthe national debate.

‘‘My contrarian take is, al-most everyone I talk to thinksit’s crazy, but I wonder maybeit’s crazy like a fox,’’ said BillKristol, editor of the WeeklyStandard.

Kristol’s view is that spend-ing another 18 months in officein Alaska will not convinceskeptics that she is ready to bepresident. Instead, he said,she can use this time to travelthe country and the world, toimmerse herself in policy is-sues and to campaign for Re-publican candidates withoutfacing questions every timeshe leaves the state aboutwhether she is shirking her re-sponsibilities.

Few who have watched Pal-in doubt her ability to attractattention, command a follow-ing and make herself a force,should she choose to run forpresident. Democratic andRepublican strategists agreethat she has charisma and apersonality that connects withpeople.

But along with those skillshave come a host of questions,which began in the days afterher selection by McCain andhave continued. They includewhether she has the experi-ence and knowledge of theworld required of a successfulnational candidate.

How her supporters will seeher resignation is not yetclear, but they have tended tobe both protective and forgiv-ing of Palin as she has chartedher unusual course throughnational politics.

Russia OKs conduit for U.S. armsConcession on transshipmentsto Afghanistan precedes summitMoscowAP

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Russia said Friday it will al-low the U.S. to ship weaponsacross its territory to Afghani-stan, a long-sought move thatbolsters U.S. military opera-tions but potentially gives theKremlin leverage over criti-cal American supplies.

The announcement by a topKremlin aide came ahead ofU.S. President Barack Oba-ma’s visit to Moscow thisweek, when the deal is expect-ed to be signed during a sum-mit aimed at improving thenations’ strained relations.

Russia’s concession onarms shipments also came asthe Obama administration isshifting the U.S. military’s fo-cus from Iraq to Afghanistan,where a massive American of-fensive is under way in Tali-ban-controlled areas of Hel-mand Province.

Russia has been allowingthe United States to ship nonle-thal supplies across its territo-ry for operations in Afghani-stan, and Kremlin officialshad suggested further cooper-ation was likely.

Kremlin foreign policy ad-viser Sergei Prikhodko told re-porters Friday that the ex-

pected deal would enable theU.S. to ship lethal cargo andwould include shipments byair and land.

He said it was unclear ifU.S. soldiers or other person-nel would be permitted to trav-el through Russian territoryor airspace. ‘‘They haven’tasked us for it,’’ he said.

The normal supply route tolandlocked Afghanistan viaPakistan has come under re-peated Taliban attack, and theU.S. and NATO have been ea-ger to have an alternate over-land supply route throughRussia and the Central Asiancountries.

Confirmation of such a dealappeared aimed at setting aconstructive tone for the meet-ings between Obama and Rus-sian President Dmitry Med-

vedev on Monday and Tues-day. After years of increasingstrain, both governmentshave expressed hope the sum-mit will put ties back on track.

Military analyst AlexanderGolts, however, said the U.S.should be under no illusionabout Russia’s intentions. Al-though Medvedev has set awarmer tone in relations withthe West, his predecessor, Vla-dimir Putin, retains consider-able power as prime minister.

‘‘The least impression youshould get from this is thatPutin’s foreign policy styleforesees gestures of goodwill,’’Golts said. The Russian lead-ership still has the mind set of‘‘19th-century realpolitik’’ andseeks the ability to hold itspartners ‘‘by the throat,’’ hesaid. ‘‘If something goes

wrong in Russian-U.S. rela-tions, this transit will cease asquickly and suddenly as itstarted,’’ Golts said.

Russia was seen as the insti-gator of Kyrgyzstan’s decisionthis year to evict the UnitedStates from an air base used toship military hardware andtroops to Afghanistan. The de-cision was reversed only afterthe U.S. agreed to pay threetimes the price.

The expected deal wouldbe the first time Russia hasallowed U.S. military ship-ments through its territoryduring the Afghan campaign,said Fyodor Lukyanov, edi-tor of Russia in Global Af-fairs magazine.

‘‘This may actually be thefirst time they will do thissince World War II,’’ he said.

Quittin’ time: Republican vice presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin signs autographs for supporters during aOctober 2008 rally in Lancaster, Pa. AP

Jadranka Kosor

Cooperation building in all fieldsMasateru ItoPRESIDENT, JAPAN-VENEZUELA

ASSOCIATION

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On behalf of theJapan-Venezuela Association, Iextend my sincerecongratulationsto thegovernmentand people ofthe BolivarianRepublic ofVenezuela onthe occasion ofthe 198thanniversary of the country’sindependence.

Since the celebration lastyear of the 80th anniversary ofJapanese emigration toVenezuela as well as the 70thanniversary of theestablishment of diplomaticrelations between the twocountries, there has beengrowing momentum by Japanand Venezuela to strengthenthe bilateral relations further.

In April this year, the presidentof the Bolivarian Republic ofVenezuela, Hugo Chavez Frias,paid a very successful workingvisit to Japan, and initiated a new

stage in the bilateral relationshipbetween Japan and Venezuela.In the course of the visit, the twocountries agreed to promotefurther cooperation in the energysector, especially in thedevelopment of the Orinoco oilfield and gas exploitation, andestablish a working team toexplore ways to ensure itsmaterialization.

Our future relations lookpromising when we consider thatJapan and Venezuela haveenormous potential to expand themutually complementaryeconomic relations supported byVenezuela’s rich energy andmineral resources, and Japanesetechnology and capital. It is alsoencouraging that the mutualcooperation will promote tourismbetween the two countries.

Apart from the economic area,Japan and Venezuela alsodeepened their bilateralcooperation in the areas ofcultural, artistic and intellectualexchanges as well. In Decemberlast year, the world-famousSimon Bolivar Youth Orchestra,acclaimed as one of today’s mostvigorous and vibrant symphonyorchestras, performed in Tokyo

and Hiroshima, and fascinatedmany classical music fans inJapan.

Recently, we have seengrowing academic cooperationbetween universities of bothcountries as well as an increasein Japan studies at Venezuelanuniversities. Contrary to thegeneral image of Venezuela heldby the Japanese, Venezuelanshave a very strong interest inJapanese culture, and there aremany institutions andassociations in Venezuela thatpromote Japanese culture toVenezuelans.

It is indeed a pleasure to seethat there is better understandingbetween the two nations, andalso through the efforts on bothsides to hold ‘‘Cultural Festival ofVenezuela in Japan’’ and‘‘Cultural Festival of Japan inVenezuela,’’ the two nations arenow closer to each other.

Finally, I would like to reiterateour warmest felicitations on thishistoric day and to assure all ourVenezuelan friends that theJapan-Venezuela Associationwill continue to contribute to thestrengthening of our bilateralrelationship.

Nation on the road to prosperityCONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

and stable economic exchangeencompassing trade, invest-ment, cooperation and thegrowing links among its gov-ernments and people.

Last April, President Cha-vez paid a visit to Japan,marking the beginning of anew economic alliance basedon common interests and har-nessing the opportunities thatarise with the complementari-

ty of both economies, trans-forming the bilateral relation-ship into an association ofglobal dimensions.

During the presidential vis-it, 12 strategic energy cooper-ation agreements were signedbetween Venezuela and Ja-pan, encompassing project fi-nancing and Japanese compa-nies’ participation in the oil,gas and petrochemical sec-tors. These agreements fol-

lowed the energy cooperationaccord signed by the Ministerof Energy and Oil of Venezue-la, Mr. Rafael Ramirez, andthe Minister of Economy,Trade and Industry of Japan,Mr. Toshihiro Nikai, in Marchthis year. As part of the bilat-eral commitments, both coun-tries are enthusiastically im-plementing these cooperationprojects, cementing the evergrowing relationship.

Visit Venezuela: a Caribbean,Andean and Amazonian paradiseCome to Venezuela and enjoyin just one country the magicof the sunny Caribbean Sea,the Spanish colonial heritageof the Andean region and the‘‘Lost World of El Dorado’’ inthe Canaima National Park ofthe Amazon region.The Caribbean Sea

Isla Margarita is the largestand most beautiful of Venezu-ela’s Caribbean islands. Alsoknown as the ‘‘Pearl of the Ca-ribbean,’’ it is a picturesquedestination for a relaxingbeach vacation, where youwill find an up-to-date trans-port infrastructure, modernshopping malls, casinos, ex-citing night life, excellent ho-tels, castles, churches, muse-ums and numerous beaches,all offering different facilitiesand attractions such as PlayaEl Yaque, one the most fa-mous windsurfing and kitesurfing beaches in the world.The Andes

Merida is one the most be-loved destinations for localtourism. With impressive bio-diversity and a soothinglymild climate, Merida is alsoknown for its exquisite floraand fauna, and its populationof wild birds, including the Gi-ant Andes Condor.

Visitors can take advantageof the various hikes and treksin the Andes. The Merida ca-ble car, the highest in theworld, can take you to thehighest point in Venezuela, thePico Bolivar, at 5,008 metersabove sea level.The Amazon

Jules Verne called it the‘‘Mighty Orinoco’’ in his 1898science-fiction novel of thesame name. The Orinoco Riv-er is located in the center ofthe country and could be theplace to start a wonderful tripto the south, or the Amazon re-gion, and the unforgettableCanaima National Park,which stretches for over 3 mil-lion hectares along the borderwith Brazil and Guyana. Hereyou will see the amazing table(‘‘tepui’’) mountain forma-tions, such as Monte Roraima(2,772 meters), the highestand easiest to climb, and Au-yantepui, from which the An-gel Falls, the highest waterfallin the world (1,000 meters),tumble.

The rich and varied ethniccontent of Venezuelan culture,which is the result of the fusionbetween Europeans, people of

African descent and the origi-nal indigenous inhabitants, isreflected in the country’s hap-py and friendly people, beauti-ful women and the tasty foodthat combines the essences ofthose cultures, with even a fewAsian touches. Among the ex-cellent local specialties are‘‘pabellon criollo’’ (a dish con-sisting of black beans, rice,shredded meat and fried plan-tain), ‘‘cachapas’’ (a round,thin bread made of groundmaize with delicious white lo-cal cheese inside) and the tra-ditional ‘‘arepas’ (indigenousbread made of maize, which isoften filled with cheese, meat,ham or butter, or simply eatenas it is).Flora and fauna

Venezuela lies within theneotropic ecological zone.Large portions of the countrywere originally covered bymoist broadleaf forests. Oneof 17 megadiverse countriesand among the top 20 countriesin the world in terms of ende-mism, some 38 percent of

more than 21,000 plant speciesare unique to the country; 23percent of reptilian and 50 per-cent of amphibian species arealso endemic.

Venezuela has significantbiodiversity across habitatsranging from desertlikescrublands in the extremenorthwest to coastal man-grove forests in the northeast.Venezuela also is home to 1,417bird species, 48 of which areendemic.

World’s highest: Angel Falls in Canaima National Park at 979meters are 16 times the height of Niagara Falls and have anuninterrupted drop of 807 meters.

Looking for dinner: Thecaracara, a bird of prey.