Venezuela condemns US in mock trial

August 16, 2005

AP , CARACAS

Tuesday, Aug 16, 2005,Page 7

Witnesses from dozens of countries, including Colombia, Vietnam and Cuba,

argued their cases against the alleged " imperialist " foreign policies of

the US before the jury.

Thousands of young men and women from leftist groups participating in the

world youth festival cheered when the judge on Sunday read the verdict

ending the two-day trial: " Condemned, for crimes against humanity. "

" We declare President George W. Bush in particular as guilty, of being

directly responsible for the crimes, " said Venezuelan Vice President Jose

Vicente Rangel as he continued to read the verdict.

The mock trial was part of the festival, hosted by Venezuela and held

under the slogan " Against Imperialism and War. " Events included debates

and forums on issues ranging from proposals for wiping out poverty to

aiding alternative media to opposing US imperialism worldwide.

Witnesses at the trial held in a Caracas stadium pointed to the war in

Iraq, Washington's financial support for the Colombian government's fight

against Marxist rebels and US economic policies that often leave many

developing nations in poverty as evidence of crimes committed by Bush.

Chavez, a self-proclaimed " revolutionary " who has become one of Latin

America's most outspoken critics of US foreign policy, was the last

witness called to the stand.

The Venezuelan leader said the Bush administration was behind a

short-lived 2002 coup and devastating 2003 strike, both of which

failed to

oust him as planned. He also accused US officials of planning his

assassination.

" If something happens to me ... they are the ones to blame, " said Chavez,

who referred to the US as " The Empire " throughout a marathon speech.

Officials in Washington have repeatedly rejected the allegations.

Chavez urged the crowd to embrace socialism while developing plans to

defeat US imperialism saying " a better world is possible by committing

ourselves to the fight. "

<snip>

" Ships filled with Venezuelan oil, instead of going to the US, could go

somewhere else, " Chavez said, adding " the US market is not indispensable "

for Venezuela.

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