Chavez: U.S. Empire 'Will Be Finished in Near Future'

[voivod]

UNITED NATIONS — The United States will soon lose its place as leader of the world, and the United Nations is a broken organization that is beyond repair, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Wednesday.

“The United States empire is on its way down and it will be finished in the near future, inshallah," Chavez told reporters, ending the statement with the Arabic phrase for "God willing."

Chavez said that the United Nations is a “deceased” organization because it was formed to bridge the differences between the United States and Russia, and a brand new international organization would have to be formed to replace it.

Earlier, Chavez initiated a verbal assault on President Bush, calling him "the devil" during an insult-riddled address to world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly.

"The devil came here yesterday," Chavez said, gesturing to where Bush had stood during his speech on Tuesday. "He came here talking as if he were the owner of the world."
He later said he was referring to President Bush when he spoke of the devil.

Chavez held up a book by American leftist writer Noam Chomsky "Hegemony or Survival: America's Quest for Global Dominance" and recommended it to everyone in the General Assembly.

He also lambasted the U.S. government for trying to block Venezuela's campaign for a rotating seat on the U.N. Security Council. He said if chosen over U.S.-favorite Guatemala in a secret-ballot U.N. vote next month, Venezuela would be "the voice of the Third World."

The council currently consists of five permanent members with veto power — the United States, Britain, Russia, China and France — and 10 non-permanent members who serve two-year terms and have no power to veto resolutions. The 10 elected members do have the right to propose resolutions, chair committees and hold the rotating council presidency for one-month periods.

Five countries from different regions are elected every year by the General Assembly to replace five retiring ones.

The U.S. government warns that Chavez, a close ally of Iran, Syria and Cuba, would be a disruptive force on the council.

"The imperialists see extremists everywhere. No, we aren't extremists," Chavez said in his speech. "What's happening is the world is waking up." He said many in the world now subscribe to the battle cry: "Yankee empire, go home!"

Holding a rotating Security Council seat would bring Chavez a higher profile and a platform to challenge the U.S. on its stances in regions from the Middle East to Latin America.

The campaign is shaping up to be a formidable diplomatic test for Chavez, gauging his ability to lobby head-to-head against the U.S.

In the past few months, Chavez has crisscrossed the globe collecting promises of support, visiting about a dozen countries including Russia, Belarus, Iran, Vietnam, Qatar, Mali, Benin, China, Malaysia and Syria. His diplomats also have been busy, while top Guatemalan officials and U.S. diplomats also have been doing their own lobbying.

Chavez said he has the solid backing of the Caribbean Community, the Arab League, Russia, China and much of Africa, in addition to his allies across South America.

But winning a Security Council seat requires a two-thirds majority — 128 out of 192 U.N. members — and Guatemala says it has 90 votes secured. If neither side wins the necessary two-thirds, there could be more rounds of lobbying and voting next month, possibly followed by a search for an alternate candidate.

Chavez, in his drive to counter U.S. influence around the globe, is practicing a unique "diplomacy for show" that thrives on protagonism and confrontation, said Milos Alcalay, who was Chavez's U.N. ambassador until he resigned in 2004 amid differences with the government.

"A post for non-permanent membership in the Security Council has never been so politicized," Alcalay said. If Venezuela manages to win the seat, "it will be a rock in the shoe of the United States" and any other countries Chavez differs with, he said.

The Venezuelan leader, a close friend and admirer of Cuba's communist leader Fidel Castro, has sought to be a voice for poor countries and has warned that if the U.S. tries to block U.N. reform, Venezuela and others may eventually create a separate "United Nations of the south" to rival a body they no longer find democratic.

Chavez also said it might eventually be necessary to move the U.N. headquarters out of the United States.

He reiterated his accusations that the U.S. planned and financed a short-lived coup that briefly unseated him in 2002, and said with Washington's backing Israel had carried out a "genocide" in Lebanon.

Chavez's government still earns handsomely from oil sales to the U.S., Venezuela's top export market, but he has crusaded against its capitalist system, selling millions of gallons (liters) of heating oil at a discount to low-income American families.

Dozens gathered in a downtown square in Caracas to watch Chavez on a large-screen TV as the government took over all TV and radio channels to broadcast the speech live. The crowd in the square spontaneously broke into applause during some of his harsher criticisms of the U.S.

[stratogibson]

History shows that all great empires fall. Anyone remember the Ottomans? The Persians? The USSR? The Romans? Wow, Chavez, you're a genius, you took history 101.

[graeme]

Funny. I was having a conversation with a German colleague only the other week about the coming shift of world power. It has moved away from Europe and is now moving away from the US too.
Our money on the place to be was South East Asia obviously, especially if somehow China, Japan and Korea became closer trading partners.
These are interesting times that's for sure.

[WinterlessIceness]

History shows that all great empires fall. Anyone remember the Ottomans? The Persians? The USSR? The Romans? Wow, Chavez, you're a genius, you took history 101.

America is not an Empire. And who doesn't remember Romans?

[LegallyInsane]

After the rant by Chavez (to call it a speech would be to give too much credit), I heard a commentator quip that Ahmadinejad was happy note because of the Chavez's comments but that it made Ahmadinejad look reasonable by comparison.

I don't know whether to laugh at this guy or be ticked off. In a way, I actually feel sorry for him because I don't think he's working with a full
deck.

One last thought: if the average US citizen reacted to Chavez's comments the way some Muslims have reacted to the Pope's quotation of a 14th Century Emperor, the Venezuelan Embassy would be under seige. Yep,
the US is the problem in the world all right.

[LegallyInsane]

Ok, so if Bush is the Devil, does that mean that in 2000 and 2004, Cheney was "Runnin' With the Devil"? Sorry, had to get a VH reference into the thread...

[sisca]

Ok, so if Bush is the Devil, does that mean that in 2000 and 2004, Cheney was "Runnin' With the Devil"? Sorry, had to get a VH reference into the thread...

hahahaaaaaaaa what a dork u are.

[Axxman300]

Wow, I see Chavez's future too:

[willy4pres]

Yeah, and remember all those countries that held the most world influence right around the 15th century? England...wait their still around. France...nope, their still around. Spain...nope, their still around. Protugual...nah, their still around. Netherlands...shit their still around to!

Unless I missed something the only major power over the last 500 years or so that has lost it's world influence is the USSR (and it can be argued that they never held much real influence, I guess you could argue that their still around as well).

Thing's change, this country will exist for a long time to come. We may not have the influence we once had but is that such a bad thing? You won't find to many people from England and France complaining about it.

[Darkstar]

Chavez strikes me as one of those guys who is full of big talk and always running his mouth while puffing up his chest, all just to cover up the fact that he has a very small penis. Forgive me if it happened while I wasn't looking but when did Venezuala become some political world force to be reckoned with? Shut the fuck up Chavez, you're your own worst joke!!

[smithjc]

Lunatics like this Chavez guy make the world a scary place.

Can't they all just go away?

[YO!Edward]

I agree with the earlier post. America is does not have an Empire and therefore there is nothing to fall.

However, I do agree that Americas time as the number one influence militarily and politically has now begun to fade. The 20th Century was the equivalent for the Americans that the 19th Century was for the British. There power was immense and though they had strong enemies (Russia in the case of the Americans) they were the most powerful nation in the world.

America will lose its invincible aura but it will not fade away. I personally think that America will become a greater nation in the future with increased self awareness and understanding of the world it once commanded. America, like Britain, will still command great respect and will always be a force to be reakoned with.

[willy4pres]

I agree with the earlier post. America is does not have an Empire and therefore there is nothing to fall.

However, I do agree that Americas time as the number one influence militarily and politically has now begun to fade. The 20th Century was the equivalent for the Americans that the 19th Century was for the British. There power was immense and though they had strong enemies (Russia in the case of the Americans) they were the most powerful nation in the world.

America will lose its invincible aura but it will not fade away. I personally think that America will become a greater nation in the future with increased self awareness and understanding of the world it once commanded. America, like Britain, will still command great respect and will always be a force to be reakoned with.

I think the idea of shrinking US involvement concerning foreign matters will become much more appealing to regular Americans in the coming Presidential Elections. Not in 2008 but possibly as soon as 2012. We will eventually end out dependence on Mid East oil. I bet a 50% decrease in defense spending will follow soon after, maybe as soon as 2016.

[YO!Edward]

I think the idea of shrinking US involvement concerning foreign matters will become much more appealing to regular Americans in the coming Presidential Elections. Not in 2008 but possibly as soon as 2012. We will eventually end out dependence on Mid East oil. I bet a 50% decrease in defense spending will follow soon after, maybe as soon as 2016.

I think that will be a positive development and I agree with you, however it is important that America remains active to some extent in international affairs. A democratic nation of such power can have a very positive influence on the world and I hope this is what America will bring more of in the 21st Century.

[Axxman300]

Withdrawl from the world stage isn't realistic. Even if we became energy independant next year we would still have security obligations world-wide to maintain. We still import more stuff than we export, friendly countries today may be threatened by neighbors or as we saw in Thailand yesterday - internally. We may have to step in either for economic reason, humanitarian reasons (Darfur) or through treaty obligations (NATO, UN).

It's also a betrayal of American ideals.

A wise man once said this:

The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe--the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.

We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans--born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage--and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

This much we pledge--and more.

To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided there is little we can do--for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.

To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom--and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.

To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required--, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.

To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge--to convert our good words into good deeds--in a new alliance for progress--to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.


Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.

We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.

But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course--both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind's final war.

So let us begin anew--remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.

Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.

Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms--and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.

Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths and encourage the arts and commerce.

Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah--to "undo the heavy burdens . . . (and) let the oppressed go free."

And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.

All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.

In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.

Now the trumpet summons us again--not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need--not as a call to battle, though embattled we are-- but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"--a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself.

Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility--I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it--and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.


I edited out a few lines and I'm not telling who this wise man is. He is a right today as when he said this over 40 years ago.