[A-List] Chávez: heroes victim of state crime, Obama administration: there is no blockade of Gaza, blame Hamas, the humanitarian flotilla was a provocation

[james daly]

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Ministry of People's Power for Foreign Affairs

Statement

The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Commander Hugo 
Chávez, emphatically condemns the brutal massacre perpetrated by the State 
of Israel against the members of the Liberty Flotilla, as a result of the 
war action started by the Israeli Army against defenseless civilians, who 
tried to carry humanitarian aid supplies to the Palestine people of the Gaza 
Strip, who are victim of the criminal blockage imposed by the State of 
Israel.

President Hugo Chávez, on behalf of his government and the Venezuelan 
people, expresses his deepest regret and sends his deepest condolences to 
the families and relatives of the heroes who have been victim of this state 
crime, and commit to honor their memory and to give the necessary help so 
that the responsible of this murderers are severely punished.

The revolutionary government of Venezuela will continue denouncing the 
terrorist and criminal nature of Israel, and it reaffirms, today more than 
ever, its unbreakable commitment with the fight of the Palestinian people 
for freedom, the sovereignty and the dignity.

Caracas, May 31, 2010 Ministry of People's Power for Foreign Affairs May 31, 
2010


Obama administration response to Israel's murderous attack in international 
waters on humanitarian workers: there is no blockade of Gaza, blame Hamas, 
the humanitarian flotilla was a provocation.

http://usun.state.gov/briefing/statements/2010/142381.htm


Remarks by Ambassador Alejandro Wolff, Deputy Permanent U.S. Representative 
to the United Nations, at an Emergency Session of the Security Council 
Alejandro Wolff Deputy  Permanent Representative to the United Nations U.S. 
Mission to the United Nations New York, NY May 31, 2010

Thank you, Mr. President and thank you, Assistant Secretary-General 
Fernandez-Taranco. The United States is deeply disturbed by the recent 
violence and regrets the tragic loss of life and injuries suffered among 
those involved in the incident last night aboard the Gaza-bound ships.  We 
are working to ascertain the facts.  We expect a credible and transparent 
investigation and strongly urge the Israeli government to investigate the 
incident fully. As I stated in the Chamber in December 2008, when we were 
confronted by a similar situation, mechanisms exist for the transfer of 
humanitarian assistance to Gaza by member states and groups that want to do 
so.  These non-provocative and non-confrontational mechanisms should be the 
ones used for the benefit of all those in Gaza. Direct delivery by sea is 
neither appropriate nor responsible, and certainly not effective, under the 
circumstances. The United States remains deeply concerned by the suffering 
of civilians in Gaza, and the deterioration of the situation there, 
including the humanitarian and human rights situation.  We continue to 
believe the situation is unsustainable and is not in the interests of any of 
those concerned.  We will continue to engage the Israelis on a daily basis 
to expand the scope and type of goods allowed into Gaza to address the full 
range of the population's humanitarian and recovery needs.  Hamas' 
interference with international assistance shipments and the work of 
nongovernmental organizations complicates efforts in Gaza.  Its continued 
arms smuggling and commitment to terrorism undermines security and 
prosperity for Palestinians and Israelis alike. We will continue to work 
closely with the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, along 
with international NGOs and the UN, to provide adequate access for 
humanitarian goods, including reconstruction materials, through the border 
crossings, while bearing in mind the Government of Israel's legitimate 
security concerns. Ultimately, this incident underscores the need to move 
ahead quickly with negotiations that can lead to a comprehensive peace in 
the region.  The only viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is 
an agreement, negotiated between the parties, that ends the occupation that 
began in 1967 and fulfills the aspirations of both parties for independent 
homelands through two states for two peoples, Israel and an independent, 
contiguous, and viable state of Palestine, living side by side in peace and 
security.  We call again on our international partners - both inside and 
outside this Council - to promote an atmosphere of cooperation between the 
parties and throughout the entire region. Thank you, Mr. President.



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