bucheon bum
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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 Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:14 pm Post subject: Chavez's "generosity" vs. the world bank |
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I came across an op-ed from the miami herald that looked at Chavez's contributions to Latin American economies. It is a PDF, so I can't provide a link. If you want the full article, you can download it from (click on "more"):
Here
Some excerpts:
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| Anyone who tries to downplay Hugo Chavez's aspirations should take note of this fact: the Venezuelan president has pledged more than $110 billion in grants, loans and investments to governments in the developing world-- an economic commitment, in other words, of the magnitude of the Marshall Plan |
Sounds impressive doesn't it? He even cliams the money comes with no conditions attached, unlike the world bank and imf loans. Sounds too good to be true doesn't it?
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| But, in fact, the reipients of Chavez's beneficence-- Bolivia, Nicaragua, Ecudaor and Argentina chief among them-- are strongly eoncouraged o mimic the very same policies that Chavez is pursuing at home. |
Furthermore:
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| When visiting his recipients, Chavez derides market economies and extols his "21st Century Socialism." He presses his hosts to more aggressively confront their "enemies" among the local business, media and political elites, and in the courts and legislatures, and to strengthen their presidencies and its controls over the local economy. |
The author then goes on to compare the "breton woods twins" (aka the world bank and imf) to chavez. To sum up:
1. WB and IMF make it necessary for there to be transparency. Chavez doesn't.
2. Chavez arranges barter deals (for instance oil for sugar) that do not correlate with prices or the economy.
3. Chavez ignores environmental concerns. the "twins" are pro-active when it comes to the environment and development projects.
Anyway, I realize there are hardly any Chavez fans here, but just thought I'd throw this out there. I also recommend talking to a Venezuelan about Chavez. You're bound to get a good story or two about the situation there. |
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