[A-List] Chavez Victory Speech

[Macdonald Stainsby]

Venezuela: Chavez Calls for National Unity and Reconciliation

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez received the majority support of the
population Sunday in a mid-term referendum on his leadership

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez received the majority support of the
population Sunday in a mid-term referendum on his leadership. Following
is RHC's translation of an excerpt of Chávez' first speech after initial
results were announced; the president calls for national unity and
reconciliation from the so called "People's Balcony" of Miraflores
Palace:

The Venezuelan people will never allow anyone to return us to the dark
days of puntofijismo. That era is now confined to history and I
therefore renew my respectful invitation to those hundreds of
thousands of Venezuelans that do not exactly share our point of view,
to join us. We respect them and we call for them to respect the
decision of the majority, that is the fundamental basis for peace and
democratic co-existence.

I call on all members of the opposition and the independents who don't
consider themselves revolutionaries - that does not matter, they are
all Venezuelans; our brothers and sisters - to join us to launch this
new phase, a phase of development and of profound reconciliation in
the heart and soul of every Venezuelan.

I was saying a few days ago that there are some Venezuelans who
consider themselves our adversaries because they do not know the truth
about the Bolivarian project; because they do not really know who we
are. I invite those Venezuelans to go and see the Barrio Adentro
project, Misión Robinson and Misión Rivas for themselves. Let them go
into the countryside and see how the poor farmers are receiving land,
machinery and credit. Let them see the decent housing that is being
given to the people. Let them go and see all the positive things that
the Bolivarian Revolution has and will continue to do. Let them see
the truth and not be poisoned by media campaigns.

I also repeat my invitation to the media to occupy their rightful
place in society, tell the truth to Venezuelans and once and for all
end their destabilising campaigns that offend national dignity, the
institutions and the humble yet great people of Venezuela.

I call on every single one of you: to the true Venezuelan
businesspeople I extend my hand; to the Catholic church; the
Evangelical church; all social movements; to the workers, students,
farmers, indigenous people, men, women, girls and boys - here are my
arms and here is my heart to serve every single one of you equally.

I consider myself President of all Venezuelans and for every one I
will work in harmony for the national good; for national unity; for
national progress and so I once again invite those who may have been
confused, those who have been victims of media disinformation to open
their eyes to the truth and join us in national unity; in the unity of
all Venezuelans to build our new homeland, to build the Fifth
Republic, to turn the project encapsulated in the sacred Venezuelan
constitution into reality.

I was always convinced of our victory. I never doubted for a second
the great triumph we would obtain today.

I have been put to the test - that is how I see the national
referendum. I have been tested and I have the humble honour of going
down in our history books as the first president ever that has
received the mid-term approval of the people in a democratic, fair and
open vote. This is without precedent, and you may rest assured that as
I have passed the test I will continue to work from this day forward
with greater commitment, greater dedication, greater efficiency,
together with my team, to give to God what belongs to God, to Cesar
what belongs to Cesar and to the People what belongs to the People.


compiled by NY Transfer from http://www.radiohc.cu
-- 
Macdonald Stainsby
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/rad-green
In the contradiction lies the hope
		--Brecht.