DeclinetoState
10-15-2006, 10:01 AM
By NATALIE OBIKO PEARSON (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated Press
October 14, 2006 9:53 PM EDT
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay - As Venezuela lobbies for a U.N. Security Council seat, President Hugo Chavez has bolstered its chances by spreading petrodollars across the Americas and beyond - extending an airstrip on a Caribbean island, sending emergency food aid to Africa, fixing a rundown hospital in Uruguay.
Chavez's international support will be put to the test on Monday as Venezuela goes up against U.S.-backed Guatemala in a General Assembly vote. At the same time, Chavez is confronting accusations at home that his generosity has been excessive, and has argued it's a modest amount of aid for nations he sees as suffering from U.S. domination.
At Uruguay's Hospital de Clinicas, a state-of-the-art transplant unit is being built with Venezuelan money. The emergency ward's leaky roof and exposed cinderblocks have given way to freshly painted walls, windows in rust-corroded frames are being replaced, and new elevators are on order.
Hospital director Graciela Ubach put a hand over her heart to show her gratitude to Chavez.
"I thank him with my soul," she said. "Honestly, it's been a dream for the country."
The public hospital struggled for funding for years until Venezuela came through with $20 million - half in donations and the other half to be paid off in reciprocal training and other services.AP (http://my.earthlink.net/article/top?guid=20061014/453060c0_3ca6_1552620061014-10719144)
Once the vote is taken on Venezuela's membership in the Security Council, watch the gravy train dry up.
From Associated Press
October 14, 2006 9:53 PM EDT
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay - As Venezuela lobbies for a U.N. Security Council seat, President Hugo Chavez has bolstered its chances by spreading petrodollars across the Americas and beyond - extending an airstrip on a Caribbean island, sending emergency food aid to Africa, fixing a rundown hospital in Uruguay.
Chavez's international support will be put to the test on Monday as Venezuela goes up against U.S.-backed Guatemala in a General Assembly vote. At the same time, Chavez is confronting accusations at home that his generosity has been excessive, and has argued it's a modest amount of aid for nations he sees as suffering from U.S. domination.
At Uruguay's Hospital de Clinicas, a state-of-the-art transplant unit is being built with Venezuelan money. The emergency ward's leaky roof and exposed cinderblocks have given way to freshly painted walls, windows in rust-corroded frames are being replaced, and new elevators are on order.
Hospital director Graciela Ubach put a hand over her heart to show her gratitude to Chavez.
"I thank him with my soul," she said. "Honestly, it's been a dream for the country."
The public hospital struggled for funding for years until Venezuela came through with $20 million - half in donations and the other half to be paid off in reciprocal training and other services.AP (http://my.earthlink.net/article/top?guid=20061014/453060c0_3ca6_1552620061014-10719144)
Once the vote is taken on Venezuela's membership in the Security Council, watch the gravy train dry up.