|
 |
Thursday, December 5, 2002 |
Today was another triumph for the opposition, thanks again to the big efforts by the government... The government refuses to admit the strike is successful but is taking measures against it. Man, if it is not successful you don't need to take measures... In one of the more stupid moves the minister of work announced that the workers deserve compensation for these days, even if they joined the strike. The end result is that tomorrow government workers will not show up.
The government made a show of asking Gaviria to help them to continue the negotiations, after the opposition had call for the same. It's clear to any thinking person that the government is going back to the table with the tail between its legs if you know what I mean...
To top it all up, the government had a plan to stage a coup today and it was reveal before hand... and a prominent military may be changing his mind about this government and its supporters...
9:33:28 PM
|
|
Political quicksand
Every moral argument that Chávez had he has lost it through his own actions. It is amazing how he has lost every single point. So, now they look for new ones. The constant argument today is that the opposition wants foreign intervention... Are they talking about OEA's democratic letter? Because that is an agreement the government entered freely...
The assembly seems to have turn against Chávez. They may have made the same analysis I did... Chávez has nowhere to run... The more time he is in power the more he goes down...
5:16:24 PM Google It!
|
|
I went out today. My area seems to have been taken over by pro-government groups, but I still saw stores closed with its owners calmly sitting on front. The small police station seem to be more alert than usual. They closed the street to motor traffic... God knows why! I saw a lot of National Guards in motorcycles...
Overall, I was more confused than scared. Again the government it's contributing to the strike with all its might. Stores that were reported open in previous days today were closed in view of the mob concentrating near PDVSA. The arguments pro-government about free transit is now void, since tehy are doing it too. I failed with my bold prediction yesterday, you would think that would deter me, but you would be wrong...
Bold Prediction: The opposition has gained the upper hand thru the big effort of the government. Today they will call for an indefinite strike, one that won't stop until the government negotiates. PDVSA will be closed by monday. The government will have to negotiate from the weakest position possible. You would think this is good news, but no. There will be a lot more trouble in the months ahead...
3:29:49 PM
|
|
One problem in Venezuela is that neither the president, being military, nor the opposition, wanting the help of the military, seem to be able to understand that certain things can't be commanded. You need persuasion some times. That is the essence of civil disobedience. If I don't want to do something important, pay taxes or go to work, it is hard to make me do so. The government has been playing "double talk" saying the strike is a failure, but PDVSA is being affected. Both can't be true at the same time. They have militarized PDVSA, but they can't really make people work producing oil, since not all of the expert technicians can be easily substituted... What is their plan? Either PDVSA will stop or it will not... You can't force it one way or the other. If they think it won't stop they don't have to do anything, if they think it will they have to negotiate... Weird concept for the military mind.
1:45:40 PM
|
|
Three blocks from my house government supporters are waiting for the opposition march and it is not to kiss and make up...
11:57:32 AM
|
|
Right now Chávez is talking on TV, saying nothing at all, one has to wonder... What is happening out there?
10:31:20 AM
|
|
© Copyleft 2005 Alfredo Octavio.
|