May 21, 2000
>
> Khalid Ali wrote:
>
> > Jutta,
> > Its very "strange" all the other articles are
accessible however the
very
> > two that you recommended are not. The question is Why?
Is it because of
the
> > content? Now, I am so anxious to have a copy I think I
will have to call
the
> > Venezuelan Consulate here and find out if they do
recieve copies of the
> > "Quinto Dia." I think this article is written at a
time just when the
Guyana
> > government has signed a $100M(Us) space exploration
deal with a Texas
based
> > American company ("Beal Space"..I think is the name)
to launch space
flights
> > from the Essequibo "la zona de reclamacion." Also the
Brazilians have
> > finalized the building of a road from Brazil to
Guyana. It should be
noted
> > that a large portion of this road was already built
and only a small
portion
> > is left to be completed. There is also a talk of a
free trade zone in
the
> > area. Needless to mention the Venezuelas/Chavez have
been rumbling about
the
> > recent economic agreements. It is understood that
Castro has managed to
calm
> > Chavez a little bit while he was on a recent visit on
an Economic summit
of
> > which the Guyana president was present. Lets see what
happens!
> > Thanks
> > Khalid
Khalid
----- Original Message -----
From: Jutta Schmitt <juschmi@yahoo.com>
To: Khalid Ali <kh9syl@sprint.ca>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2000 4:33 PM
Subject: Guyana and the Beal-Deal
> Dear Khalid,
>
> you have hit the nail onto it's head, man; the article's
epicentre is
precisely
> the Guyana-US "Beal-Deal"! The bottom line of the
article is the
following:
> Andrew Beal, a Texan millionary, who finances the Rocket
Platform to be
built in
> Guyana, is one of the big financiers of the Republican
Party. And the
> presidential candidate of the Republicans, G.W. Bush
Junior, has made a
clear
> statement with regard to American, strategical
"interests", in other
words,
> definite military influence and intervention areas, that
are to be
defended in
> the future, such as in Europe, Far and Middle East, and
Latin America. In
Latin
> America, Colombia and Guyana have already fully
subscribed to the "new"
American
> Backyard Policy, accepting Amercian economic and
military "support" to
operate
> directly in (and from) their countries. On the level of
public
information, of
> course, the Guyana-US Beal Deal is about a Space
Programme, that is
supposed to
> transport a satellite into Space with the carrier rocket
B2, NASA's most
> powerful rocket, characterized by its unique "propulsion
motor". On the
> geostrategical and military level, this is about a mayor
concession of
Guyana
> with regard to the Esequibo/Venezuela in particular, and
to Latin America
in
> general.
>
> >From the point of view of Venezuela, this is a matter
of concern. If
Chavez is
> serious about the "national sovereignity" of Venezuela
(in military
terms), as
> he seemed to be when emphatically denying the
US-American request for
using the
> Venezuelan air space for the US-overflights within the
context of
> "detecting and intercepting drug trafficking" on the
South American
Continent as
> unacceptable with
> Venezuela's national sovereignty, he has reasons to be
concerned. If,
however,
> this is just another political maneuver and he is THE
man of globalization
for
> Latin America, as recently stated by 27F, it does not
come as a surprise
that
> Chavez, having been offered perspectives of including
Venezuela into the
Andean
> Trade Preference Act and into a Bilateral Investment
Treaties, is willing
to
> reconsider his "attitude".
> If we look at the real background of those "Trade
Preferences" in order
that the
> US be granted flights over Venezuelan air space, we
find, that in April
this
> year a one year cooperation treaty between the
Netherlands, the
> Netherland-Antilles, (Aruba/Curaçao/Bonaire) and the USA
was to be
renewed, that
> grants the US army and civil personnel related to drug
traffic combatting,
the
> use of an extension of Aruba's air terminal for
detection, monitoring and
> interception of drug trafficking in the region of the
Carribean, Middle
and
> South-America.The treaty was to be renewed in an
extended mode, not
excluding a
> possible participation of NATO (!) if necessary, in
military actions on
the
> South American Continent. (Quinto Dia wrote about this
topic in one of its
March
> issues).
>
> I am not aware whatever happened to the treaty, but in
the case it would
have
> been renewed, and Chavez would "succumb" to the Trade
Preferences
mentioned
> above, Venezuela could be rapidly converted into the
pillar gateway for
(NATO)
> military air operations into Colombia, for example and
given an extreme
> scenario.
>
> As for the cooperation of the US with Guyana in terms of
"space
technology",
> read, the building up of a military operation platform,
this looks like
just
> another "closing in" of the US with regard to its
"backyard".
>
> Jutta.
Jutta,
The information is indeed very interesting. Beal is the first and
only
spaceport in the entire world that is privately financed. At the
signing of
the agreement, Beal acknowledged that they are "yet" to obtain the
permission of the U.S. State Department to export key technological
data and
products out of the U.S. to Guyana. When this approval is granted it
is
obvious that area of operations will be one of the most guarded
presumably
with U.S assistance. The
justification for Beal's involvement in Guyana is its position on the
equator has competitive advantages for the launching of Geostationary
(GEO)
satellites in particular, as well as Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites
because of the "enormous savings in the consumption of rocket fuel."
I am very suspicious of this deal for a number of
reasons. I
think they
are a number of hidden secret objectives that could realize it self
in
public if the Republicans win the next elections. But first let me
consider
the George Bush's pronouncement on the issue of U.S strategic
interests.
Whatever are his comments in this regard it would be very
understandable
given the Republicans "fascination" with the military and security
issues
(the Democrats too, but not to the extent of their opponents).
Republicans
have managed to maintain themselves in power during the "cold war"
years
almost continuously by drumming-up the "boogey-man fear" theory that
somebody is out to get Americans. The "stain" of this previously
successful
fear-mongering campaign during the cold war years still lingers
within the
republican hierarchy. Often, but more especially the Republicans seem
ready
to exercise the "ghosts" from the past to win votes.
Now to the next point, the Beal/Bush connection
is very
interesting
given the fact that Bush and the republicans have been promoting
heavily the
"star wars" programs something of the Reagan era that currently costs
an
estimated $60 billion. A number of private contractors stand to gain
billions from this venture including Andrew Beal since he has also
expressed
his support to this program.
Now with regards to the Guyana role in the geopolitical
strategic
plans
for American military and security interests is potentially
interesting if
the Republicans take power. For now the current administration has
been
"going it easy" that is by signing strategic agreements with various
nation
states on the pretext of fighting drug trafficking. This includes
access to
each nation's air space. Guyana and its English speaking partners
have
already signed such an agreement with the exception (I think) of
Barbados.
Also soon a Caribbean Defense Force will be established with the help
of the
Americans to help protect the region from any "crisis". This as I
understand
it will be a Rapid Deployment Force capable of 'intervening' in any
crisis
situation at the speed of "lightening." Because of the
Guyana/Venezuelan
border controversy obviously Venezuela does not like the creation of
this
force. Also, the recently concluded heads of state conferences
held
by
CARICOM and the Commonwealth group of nations pledged support for
Guyana's
national sovereignty much to the dislike of the venezuelans.
Guyana, I think is forced to play a "cat and mouse"
game with the
Venezuelans. However,it should be noted that historically since the
inception of the border conflict they have always succeeded in out
foxing
the them on the International scene. There are a number of reasons
for
example language, ethnicity and the migratory patterns of the
Guyanese
population. Since the late 1960's mass migration to England, Canada
and the
U.S have worked to the International advantage of Guyana. There are
over
100,000 Guyanese living in Toronto alone, about 250, 000 in N.Y; tens
of
thousands are living in England, Surinam, Holland and also in other
English
speaking Caribbean countries. In terms of ethnicity, because of its
dominant
Black and Indian population, the Guyanese have used it to their
advantage
also in getting unconditional International support from the
Organization of
African Unity and similarly from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and
other South
East nations.
Also it has used Brazil strategically and have forced
them to
remain
"neutral" on the conflict. It's support of the idea of a free trade
zone
with the Brazilian states of Roraima, Amazonas, Para and Amapa is a
coup for
diplomatic relations and a blow to the Venezuelans. Roraima has
already
pledged to complete the highway at its own cost into Guyana. On the
other
hand Guyana is very cozy with Colombia and probably has better trade
relations in the sale of rice and sugar at special concessionary
terms to
their benefit. Now thanks to the rise of Chavez in power Guyana has
been
also able to exploit Chavez's indifference to the U.S to their
benefit. The
U.S relations with Venezuela at this moment seem "lukewarm." Chavez's
"independence" at least in "appearance" of the U.S and the local
ruling
elite does not score him many points with the White House. They are
particularly annoyed with him for joining forces with OPEC in support
of a
rise in oil prices which is costing the American/Canadian economy
billions
more in production costs. Colombia in the meanwhile is currently
receiving
the highest per capita aid from the U.S with the exception of Israel
including some $270 million in military assistance. It is rumored the
Colombians could get the much coveted F15 fighter aircrafts too in
a
special
deal. Venezuela has reasons to feel shafted but more especially the
foreign
aid it received from Canada and U.S during the storm was just a mere
pittance to what would have normally be given. My suspicion is the
Americans
are currently using the "carrot and stick" method in signaling to
Venezuela
that if they play according to their "rules" they will be rewarded
too.
The Adean Trade pact has been something that has
been talked
about for a
very long time since the days of "Herrera Campins". However the main
interests of north American
investors is in the resource based industries particularly energy.
Also if
you check some of the proposition papers, a major point of contention
is the
call for the privatization of not only this sector but also of the
"freeing-up" of the essential gold and mining areas for North
American
investment.
It is my contention that since there is no more
any cold war the
U.S
however is still using its previous "Cold War" militancy and previous
connections with the local military elite as a ploy to get what it
wants
economically from the region. It is a given fact that the military
holds
considerable power in most Latin American states and by signing
strategic
agreements with some of them is a road, to a road of greater economic
liberalization and access to the regions natural resources since it
translates to greater economic influence through the military and the
ruling
elites to the governments in power. The military also plays a key
coercisive
role against any local protests contra the forces of globalization.
Now, I want to comment on the points you raised
on American
"Military
Backyard Policy,"
within the region in relation to what I have just said above. The
forces of
Globalization certainly play a major factor of influence for the
American
military involvement. The market economy and free unhindered trade
is
of
paramount importance. Any nation state that object to these forces
could set
a bad example to other states and thus a triggered reaction that
could
threaten its spread. Remember, the Americans have learnt from their
mistakes
during the Cold War. To avoid that embarrassment in their "own
backyard"
they have quietly used Drug trafficking as the rallying point to win
approvals for their intervention in nation-states. During the Cold
War I
don't think it was conceivable ever to strike such strategic military
deals.
Also it is important to note that most nations within "its backyard"
also
have established a separate security force (in Guyana it is called
CANU, it
was these guys raided Vic's home and threatened to kill him if he
does not
shut-up) independent of the traditional military and police with
special
legislative powers to intervene in any "drug related matter." In
other words
a special army within a army with more powers of the traditional
military.
Now, to the Guyana scenario, never before in its
history has
there been
so many military scholarships been granted to Guyanese to study in
England,
Canada and U.S. Weeks before the last general elections guess who was
was
conducting "jungle warfare" training with the Guyanese military? Both
the
British and Americans, and only days before the conclusion of the
elections
they left. Of course, they are only interested in keeping the
military
"busy" because of the internal political situation. This also helps
the PPP
government. The PPP is obligated to help American interests in the
region.
Finally, What Americans want apart from free trade
and access to
minerals and energy resources? They want huge arable land for their
food
multinationals for agricultural purposes. America is currently in a
deep
deep crisis because of drought and floods. Its is estimated that soon
the
production of food could be threatened because of too many natural
diasters.
There is very little water available for example in California and
other
areas. (I will search for a report aired on CBS that explained the
seriounessof this crisis). Already they have been setting up
multinational
farms in other areas of Latin America for agricultural purposes
particularly
in Argentina and Chile. They are currently negotiating a huge deal
with
Guyana to grow wheat in the Essequibo region. (Today I saw a report
that
confirmed that over 40% of the world's land is unfit for
agriculture). This
confirms exactly what I am saying above,
Until
Khalid